Swarovski Unicorn Stand for the SCS Unicorn (Fabulous Creatures)

Oct 272012
 

The first SCS figurine in the Fabulous Creature trilogy was the Swarovski Unicorn.  Like some of the previous trilogies, Swarovski offered an optional display stand for 1996 AE crystal figurine as well.

The Fabulous Creatures Unicorn stand measures 6” in length.  It originally retailed for $45.  The Unicorn Stand Box features a line drawing of the Unicorn, so any collector easily confirm when the stand is in the correct box.

The Swarovski Unicorn Stand is 2 colors with an opaque plastic piece for the Unicorn base.  The remainder of the Unicorn Stand is painted wood: mostly black with a forest green trim along the very bottom edge.  Trying to describe it any further would be difficult, so it is best to rely on the picture.

Unicorn Stand for the Swarovski Fabulous Creatures Unicorn

Swarovski SCS Unicorn Stand

The identification # for the Swarovski Unicorn Stand, as established in Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski and recognized by other professional brokers is # DO1X961S.

As time has passed, we have notice the black paint peeling or chipping on the corner edges.  This is one place in particular that crystal fanatics should look at when buying a SCS Unicorn Stand for their figurine display.

At present, there are not many SCS Unicorn Stands available on the secondary market or at auction.  Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books recommends an insurance value of $210, based on research done in January 2012.  Recent trends on the secondary market indicate trading prices in the $130 – $175.  At the online auctions, there were some completed auctions near $50 for stands, and those stands were minus original factory packaging.  In summary, the replacement value of the Swarovski Unicorn Stand will vary greatly depending on condition (good paint vs peeling paint) and whether or not original factory packaging is included.



Swarovski Unicorn – the SCS Swarovski Box (Fabulous Creatures)

Oct 252012
 

The first crystal figurine in the Swarovski SCS “Fabulous Creatures” trilogy was the Swarovski Unicorn.  The Unicorn is a mystical creature, the 1st non-natural figurine that Swarovski has produced for an SCS figurine.  The purpose of the Swarovski Unicorn Box  is to safely protect the crystal figurine while it is not on display.

The SCS Unicorn is the first SCS figurine to be ‘double-boxed’.  The crystal Unicorn is situated in a white box, containing the SCS logo. This white box has a fuzzy green plastic liner form-fitted to the Unicorn.  The white box measures 7” x 7” X 3”.  The white box is placed into a larger box, held in place by foam glued to the outer box, that is approximately 10” x 10” x 4 ½”.  On the 4 sides of the box, in 11 different languages, the text states” Annual Edition 1996 “Fabulous Creatures” – The Unicorn. The Fabulous Creatures Unicorn Box (meaning the set of 2 boxes) can be found using reference # DO1X961B, which was originally used in the Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski Price Guide.  There does not appear to be a factory-assigned identification number printed anywhere on the box, inside or outside.

Swarovski SCS Fabulous Creatures Unicorn Box from 1996

Swarovski SCS Unicorn Box (Complete Packaging)

In the photo, #1 is the inner Swarovski Box for the Unicorn.  #2 is the outer Unicorn Box.  #3 shows the SCS Unicorn placed in the inner box (with the fuzzy green insert), which is located inside the padded outer box.  The slot on the left side of the outer box is to hold the Unicorn Certificate in place.

The SCS Unicorn Box is not presently available at Crystal Exchange America; It would be in the Empty Boxes category.  Previously, the SCS Unicorn packaging (includes both boxes) has sold in the $40 – $100 price range.  Collectors should use care when purchasing the Unicorn in the online auctions or after-market sales agents that they are indeed getting all original packaging, and not simply the inner box.



Swarovski Unicorn – the Swarovski COA (Fabulous Creatures)

Oct 242012
 

SCS membership had significantly increased over the years…..crystal fanatics were fully engulfed in collecting and secondary market values were at an all-time high in the late 1990’s, which indirectly encouraged collectors to continue spending  money  on Swarovski, especially the SCS annual editions.  The Swarovski Unicorn was well-liked and by now, collectors knew that to retain and increase in value (which was true at that time), the box and certificate must be saved and included for resale on the secondary market.

Swarovski Fabulous Creatures Unicorn Certificate, 1992

Swarovski SCS Unicorn Certificate for the 1992 Fabulous Creatures Unicorn

As time passed, the Swarovski annual edition certificates changed to include even more languages The Swarovski Unicorn certificate was now printed to include the “Certificate” wording in eleven different languages:  English,  German, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Flemish, Chinese, and Japanese.

The genuine Swarovski Unicorn Certificate measures 4 1/8” wide and 8 ¼” tall.  The picture on the front of the certificate matches the picture on the Unicorn Box.

The Swarovski–assigned reference number is printed in a very small font on the back side of the certificate.  Officially, the Swarovski Unicorn certificate is DO4MM96XX.  The Fabulous Creatures Unicorn Certificate can also be found using another reference # DO1X961C, which was originally used in the Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski insurance price guide.

SCS Swarovski Unicorn Certificate is readily available at this time at Crystal Exchange America, the range of $50 – $75. However, there is never any guarantee that the Fabulous Creatures Unicorn Certificate will be easy to find, so we do urge collectors to buy  Swarovski SCS AE figurines as a complete package including the original box and certificate.



Swarovski Unicorn – SCS 1996 Annual Edition

Oct 222012
 

Swarovski ‘s fourth SCS trilogy is the “Fabulous Creatures” series, which was in the late 1990’s era.  The initial Fabulous Creatures crystal figurine is the Swarovski.  All the crystal figurines in the “Fabulous Creatures” series are mythical creatures, making this series unique based on human interpretation, existing sculptures, or drawings, and not based on nature itself.

Swarovski SCS Unicorn - Fabulous Creatures 1996 Annual Edition

Swarovski Fabulous Creatures Unicorn, 1996 SCS AE

The Swarovski Unicorn was available for purchase only in 1996 by collectors who had a membership in the Swarovski SCS Club.  The Swarovski Unicorn measures about 4 1/4” long.  It is a clear figurine with a long frosted spiraling horn, frosted goat’s beard, frosted mane, and frosted tail.  The SCS Unicorn is lying on its stomach.

The Fabulous Creatures Unicorn was  known using the Swarovski identification numbers DO1X961 and 191 727.  This SCS Unicorn contains what the crystal brand calls the ‘backstamp / bottomstamp’, which is included for the sake of authenticity.  Since Martin Zendron was the designer, it is his initials “MZ” and the year “96” can be seen on the underside of the Unicorn .

Having such a long and fragile protrusion, the Unicorn horn is the most common form of damage or breakage.  We have seen or heard stories from a large number of clients who report the horn has come unglued, or a simple tap to it during cleaning has caused it to break off.  Sadly, this is an expensive component for Swarovski restoration experts to replace.  Oftentimes, the cost is close to that of purchasing a replacement Swarovski Unicorn in mint condition.

The crystal brand has produced one other Unicorn other than the 1996 SCS Unicorn.  This other Swarovski Unicorn was part of their Silver Crystal product line.  This Unicorn is standing on all 4 legs and has a short horn.  The identification # for this Swarovski Unicorn are 7550 000 013 / 630 119.  It was produced 2004 through 2009 at a retail price of $300.

The SCS Swarovski Unicorn retailed for $325 USD in 1996.  The purchase price included the crystal figurine, a custom box for the figurine, and a Swarovski COA (certificate of authenticity).    While the resale price of the Swarovski Unicorn  surpassed to nearly $700 shortly after 2000, a mint condition figurine, complete with original packaging can generally be purchased on the secondary market for original MSRP, from Swarovski expert dealers, like Crystal Exchange America.