List of Known Variations and  

Interesting Information

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This section includes both variations and interesting information on individual pieces.  Although there are many collectors who do not desire to collect these variations or even slight differences in pieces, there are many collectors who would pay dearly to find these mistakes.  No matter how noticeable the difference is, they will add them to their collection.         

There is a difference of opinion concerning errors made in the factory.  Some collectors believe these are not true variations and should not be rewarded with higher values.  However, I can tell you that many collectors in any collectibles line pay a higher value and will continue to pay for these error pieces.  

Good examples are High Flying Mackenzie and Mackenzie's Bubble Ride.  During production the factory made a mistake and some pieces were given limited edition numbers on the bottoms.  These pieces are highly desirable to some collectors, and to others not.  

Collectors who consider these variations desirable will search for both versions, those with numbers and those without, and will even pay a higher value.  Other collectors may only desire the pieces without limited numbers because that is the way the pieces were supposed to have been produced.  

Although, most secondary books in any collectible line do not show a higher value for errors, collectors are in fact paying about $20 higher for these particular mistakes just to acquire them for their collection.  It is up to the individual collector whether he or she wants to pay a higher secondary value for a mistake, no matter what the difference is.      

Variations occur most commonly because of human error.  We must realize that many different people are handling these pieces during the production process; therefore, mistakes do happen.  Recently A Real Lifesaver was shipped without its life preserver. The life preserver was never glued on at the factory, and F & F told the dealer to send them back.  I can personally tell you that all 4 of these pieces never made it back to F & F.  They were sold at retail to collectors who wanted them for their collection, and several more individuals are on a waiting list.  

 I would like to caution anyone who is going to pay any price over retail in purchasing an error/variation piece to make sure you purchase such a piece from a reputable person.  Check around with other collectors if they know of this seller.  You should also inquire and research this error piece through other knowledgeable people before paying a lot of money for something that may not be.  Be wary of anyone who tells you  they attend ceramic class as I can speak from personal experience.  

There are a lot of unknowns in here, so if you can add any information, please e-mail me.

DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert (just a very good compiler). I make every effort to gather accurate information, but mistakes are inevitable. If you see anything that you think is wrong, please let me know. I'll be happy to check it out as best as I can.

Go to questions concerning the following areas:

General
 
Character Variations
 
Specific Pieces
 

GENERAL

Pale mice

Many early pieces came with mice that were very pale (tan) rather than the brown color they are now. They are also referred to as "naked." Some people collect both pale and regular mice, with some pale pieces costing more than the regular ones. Many people consider the pale mice ugly, so these pieces are not necessarily more desirable to some collectors. Info on pale mice comes from what other collectors have passed on, or from my own personal collection.  Please let me know if you have any info to add to this list.  

The pale mice are earlier pieces and often come in nondescript brown boxes that only have the name and piece number. The regular ones come in the regular boxes that have a picture of the unpainted mice.

This is the only piece released that we know of that has only been found in the pale version:    

The following pieces were released in pale and dark versions:

 

Numbered pieces

Some pieces are numbered but are not limited editions. The factory made a mistake and numbered the first set. The later pieces are not numbered. Because of the error, collectors have been paying about $20 higher in secondary value.  

These are:

Unnumbered limited editions

        Below is a list of pieces that are limited editions and have
        been found with no limited edition numbers on the bottom of the
        piece:

Year marks

        four leaf clover
1996   1997   1998   1999     2000 2001

Now that Fitz and Floyd is putting year marks on their pieces, a piece may have several year marks, depending on when they were produced. Some collectors want to find the earliest year mark possible, while others just want to work on their collections. The earlier year marks will probably go up in value.

The Master List has a list of some possible year marks, but it does not include all yet.

Felt tabs: In 1998, Fitz and Floyd began putting four green felt tabs on the bottom of pieces so that they grip better.

Name cards: In 1998, along with the four green felt tabs, the pieces came with cardboard name placards with the piece name and number.

Go to the FAQ page for more info on bottom stamps and images.

Artist's signature

If you're lucky enough to have a piece signed by Dean Griff, this will increase the value of the piece by about $25.

Reversed negatives

The catalogs and boxes have photos that have the photo negatives reversed. The graphic designers may have thought that the photos looked better that way, or it may have been a mistake, but collectors definitely don't like it. Page 3 in the 1997 catalog is reversed since the pieces on page 4 are shown correct. Also, some photos are reversed for the pieces' "title" shots:

The photos of Bunny Buddies in the revised 1997 catalog (p. 5 and 11) and 1998 catalog (p. 4) actually show the BACK of the piece. It's corrected in the 1999 catalog.

Naming variations

There are a number of naming variations. Here are a few:

Also, Mackenzie was spelled "Mickensy" on some old printed sources and the 1994 catalog.

Bubbles in the waterglobes

Many of the waterglobes have air bubbles in them. Since many of the waterglobes were not well done, this is not surprising. Sometimes air bubbles make the waterglobes worth less, but I personally don't worry about it. Finding waterglobes without air bubbles is often difficult, especially as the waterglobes get older.

Also, some of the water in the globes are cloudy. I've been told this MAY be because distilled water wasn't used.

Certificates of authenticity

A few pieces came with certificates of authenticity. Apparently at one time Silvestri planned on doing this for their limited editions and annuals (before they were using bottom stamps). Many times stores threw away the certificates since they were not generally packaged in the box the piece came in but rather given to the store separately. Lack of a certificate does not make affect the price at this time.

The following pieces came with certificates (photos of the certificate are shown where available):

Name cards

Beginning in 1998, Fitz and Floyd began including small name cards (a card folded over so it could be placed in front of the piece) with every piece. The card has the Charming Tails logo and the piece's name. However, some cards have a different name.  I also included some name variations from the boxes. Here are a few:

CHARACTER VARIATIONS

Stewart the Skunk changes

Stewart the Skunk's appearance has changed over the years. Stewart at Play has no white around his eyes. Then thick white appeared around his eyes. The newer pieces have much less white around the eyes. Check out 1998's Ring Bearer and Team Igloo.

Also, some pieces have one stripe down his back, and others have two.

SPECIFIC PIECES

Charming Scenes

The Charming Scenes backdrops were not done by Dean Griff. They were painted by another artist commissioned by Fitz and Floyd.

The backdrops were listed for $30 in the first 1997 catalog. The wholesale price was mistakenly printed in the catalog.  When the revised 1997 issue was released, the price was changed to $60 to reflect the retail price.  They have since been omitted from the 1998 and 1999 catalogs and are no longer available.

Stewart's Choo-Choo Ride

Stewart's Choo-Choo Ride has the roof leaf with the ribbon either at the front of the car or the back of the car. The catalog even has the piece both ways. The ribbon is supposed to be at the back.

Also, the following variations exist between the piece with the acorn mark (1996) and the piece with the leaf mark (1997):

The piece with the acorn bottom stamp has a large white space around the skunk's eyes. The tail is fuller and doesn't point upward as much. The shape of the head is rounder, and the bow is in the front. The holly leaves across the side of the car have a holly berry missing in the top left corner on the right side (the picture on the box shows this missing berry too).

The piece with the leaf bottom stamp has a smaller white space around the skunk's eyes. The tail is thinner and points more upright at the tip. The head is narrower and positioned differently, and the box is in the back. The holly berry is where it is supposed to be, to match the right corner.

It appears that the piece was remolded. The errors with the position of the bow and the missing berry have been corrected.

Acorn mark
   Leaf mark

Many thanks to Becky, Kevin, Nathan, Julie, Nancy, Heather, Sandy, Kim, Vickie, Donna, John, Jessica, Elaine, Pat, and everyone else who's helped me collect info or corrected my mistakes.

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Copyright 2005, Oak Leaf Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. This web site is unofficial and does not intend to infringe on the rights of Fitz and Floyd or Dean Griff, makers of Charming Tails.

Revised: 02/20/06.