What Emmett Kelly Jr. figurines sell for
Emmett Kelly Jr. figurines do have a resale market, but the useful question is which specific item is being compared. The retained auction records below include two-, three-, and five-piece groups, so group size, condition, and the exact line all matter before treating another sale as a guide.
Start by recording the complete title or label, how many figures are included, the material, original box or certificate if present, and any chips, repairs, or missing parts. Then compare the item with documented sales that match those details rather than relying on a general collectible price.
Six details to match before comparing prices
- Maker/line identification: the same “Weary Willie” look can appear across different lines and eras—confirmation matters.
- Material: Record the material stated on the object or in reliable documentation; do not infer it from a front photograph alone.
- Scale and complexity: Measure height and note the complete scene, props, and number of figures so that comparisons describe a similar object.
- Edition/sourcing: Transcribe edition numbers and signatures, and photograph any certificate or original packaging.
- Condition: Document chips, hairlines, repairs, missing parts, and overpaint before choosing comparison lots.
- Demand for the specific pose: Compare the exact pose or scene where documented sales are available; do not assume every clown figurine has the same market.
For a useful comparison point, see our Giuseppe Armani figurines value guide and this guide to antique porcelain figurines.
Emmett Kelly Jr. Figurines: Flambro Line, Base Marks and Editions
Emmett Kelly Jr. carried on Weary Willie, the sad-faced tramp clown his father, Emmett Kelly, made famous with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Most figurines sold under the son's name come from the licensed Emmett Kelly Jr. line made by Flambro Imports from the 1980s onward, so the first job is to confirm that is what you have.
Reading the base
- Name: look for Emmett Kelly Jr. and the Flambro name on the base or a sticker. A clown marked only Emmett Kelly, or not marked at all, may belong to a different line or be a generic hobo clown, which is a separate market.
- Title and year: most pieces carry a title and a copyright year. The year usually marks when the design was introduced, not necessarily when your piece was made.
- Edition: limited editions are usually numbered, often as a number out of the edition size. Open-stock pieces are not numbered. Record both numbers exactly.
- Signature: a printed facsimile signature is part of the design. A signature added by hand in ink is different; note which you have and keep any paperwork that came with it.
- Format: the line also included smaller formats such as miniatures. Compare a miniature only with miniatures.
Where they sell
Most change hands on general online marketplaces, at estate sales and in mixed collectibles auctions, often in groups. Search sold listings for the exact title from the base, then narrow by edition, size, box and condition. The sold results on this page show how group lots differ from single pieces. For general base-reading techniques, see how to identify old ceramic figurines by their marks and bases.
Photographing the base, labels, and visible details
Start on the underside. Even when a piece looks “right” from the front, the base often provides the best clues: maker mark areas, mold numbers, and evidence of sticker placement. Use a phone flashlight and take a sharp photo straight-on.
Condition checklist (and how much it can change the price)
Use raking light—a flashlight held low—to look for repairs, cracks, overpaint, and missing parts. Photograph each issue separately and describe what is visible; a photograph alone may not establish whether a surface has been restored.
Red flags that usually require a lower price
- Repaired breaks (arms, fingers, props), especially with overpaint.
- Hairline cracks that travel through structural areas (neck, ankles, base).
- Missing small parts (hat tips, canes, instruments) that change the silhouette.
- Heavy surface cleaning that leaves a uniform “new” shine or removes detail.
Market evidence (why material and category matter)
Compare the same maker or line, material, size, pose, and number of figures. A group of several figures is a different lot from a single piece, even when the character looks similar.
Read the full lot description alongside each result. Check whether condition, repairs, packaging, and the number of pieces are documented. If those details are missing or differ from your item, record the gap instead of treating the result as a direct value estimate.
Preparing Emmett Kelly figurines for sale
- Photograph correctly: front, back, face close-up, base close-up, and any damage. Add one raking-light photo if repairs are suspected.
- Describe objectively: include height, material, any marks (even if faint), and condition notes.
- State clearly whether you are offering one figurine or a group, and photograph every included piece.
- Compare a marketplace’s fees, shipping requirements, insurance, and handling arrangements before listing a fragile object.
References & notes
- Sold-comparable examples shown are sourced from Appraisily’s internal auction results database (see editorial policy for standards).
- Choose documented comparison lots that match your figurine’s material, height, number of pieces, and condition.
