Bobbleheads, also called nodders, may not have originated in the US, and often are not made in the US, but they are definitely American collectibles. What professional major league team does not have at least one bobblehead available for purchase at any given time? Sometimes it is the mascot, or a related cartoon character. For instance, the Anaheim Ducks have a bobblehead of Donald Duck in their hockey uniform. He not their official mascot, but DD ties into their origin as a team owned by Disney and their original emblem of a 1-piece hockey mask shaped for a duck wearer.

Often a team will have a bobblehead for one or more fan favorites, or of a former player as a give-away on Oldies game night. Sometimes a bobblehead is made to show former uniforms or equipment.

Bobbleheads may be real people, characters, or animals.

College and university mascots, official and unofficial, are frequently available as bobbleheads.

Cultural characters like the devil and angels are available. Comic book characters and super heroes are often available in a bobblehead. Advertising characters like the Pillsbury Doughboy, the Michelin Man and others are represented by bobbleheads. Characters from iconic movies like “The Mummy” are available as bobbleheads as well. Some of the Pez dispensers can be purchased as bobbleheads. Events such as world fairs and Olympic games generate bobbleheads of the official mascots. Rock stars and whole bands have been reproduced in bobbleheads. Many celebrities in other walks of life are also available in bobbleheads.

Television shows make special bobbleheads for advertising or use on their shows; to wit the Monk bobbleheads featured in a commercial for the show. These are not available for sale, officially, but how many will disappear from the props warehouse over time, if the demand is there?

Animal bobbleheads have been and still are popular. The original dog in the rear window is a bobblehead. Quite often laying down and flocked, the nodding chihuahua or boxer have been laying in the back windows of cars for decades. Other animals are also made: moose, horses, fish, bears, lions, ducks, frogs, lizards, and so forth. Often bobbleheads are produced by artisans of animals in their own country, like armadillos in Mexico, and elephants and giraffes by artisans in Africa.

There are pencil toppers that are bobbleheads, and place card/photograph holders.

There are also double-bobbers. I have one in which the canoe bobs on the resin river, and the moose paddling the canoe has a bobble head. I am sure there are other double-bobbles. I guess the bobblehead bride and groom cake topper would be a double-bobble. And they are customized to the actual bride and groom in question.

Bobbleheads are made from a variety of materials, including all materials used for mass-produced items in our culture: celluloid, plastic, chalk, wood, gourds, metal etc. Bobbleheads are generally in the 6-7 inch range, but are also available in larger and smaller sizes. Yard-size bobleheads in the form of flamingos, other birds, sheep and other animals are part of many outdoor sculpture artists.

And, lastly, if you like your own mug and want to give it to your friends, you can have a custom bobblehead made.

* * * Find information about cheap toys for kids. * * *

* * * More about cool usb toys. * * *

* * * Consider collecting beanie kids for fun (and maybe profit someday). * * *

The images on this post are from Stock Xchnge.

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