Not inflation, nor rising gas prices, or just about anything seems to effect the price of this highly sought after ornaments -- I've seen sellers asking $200 for just the box.

Full price can run to around $700 for a mint in box 1980 Frosty Friends and it's probably not new. The ornament can be had currently for $200 to $300, depending on the season and at that price most likely sans books and box.

If you are in the market for one, what should you look for?

In an auction of an ornament of this price, the seller should include a picture of the actual ornament and box you are buying rather than a stock photo. If one is not shown ask the seller to take pictures and forward them to you.

The weakest part of the ornament is obviously the songbooks. Although replacement books are available, it's not quite the same thing and it affects the value. Look carefully to see if the books have been re-glued, and how well they were reattached. There is no such upside down book "rare" ornament -- the books were merely re-glued improperly. Because of the way the cover fits, you will generally see slightly worn edges on original books.

Although quite sturdy, the ice cube can be scratched or chipped. On expensive ornaments, I always examine the fragile parts under a magnifying glass. Ask the seller if they have or if the examination was merely observational.

Check the writing on the front to see if it is scratched. Again under a magnifying glass is preferred.

Look at the paint and the color of the bear. The bear should be white. Look in the joints to see if any yellow has collected. Look at Frosty carefully to see if the paint is intact and not scratched.

On the box and tag, if it is mint, it should have no flaws of any kind -- no marks, creases, scratches. The cover can be replaced so it is of less concern. The flocking should be white with no holes. The tag is gold and the price is on the tag, not separate or notched. A near mint box in this ornament fetches almost as much as a mint one.

Take time to assess the risk. Ask the history of the ornament. Did it original belong to the seller? Or was it something they picked up at a garage sale? (I should be so lucky.)

And always check the seller's feedback. 

Copyright 2006 Carol M. Kaelin