Holland Mold | Beatles memorabilia

Holland Mold Inc. made the Beatles statues that people collect today. The company started in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1946. It was run by Frank Hollendonner, who moved from Austria, and his brother Rudy. Frank learned to make molds for tiles in Austria and used that skill at a tile factory in New Jersey. Later, he started his own garage business selling molds to people who liked making crafts. The Hollendonner family ran the company for three generations. Trenton was a big city for making ceramics at the time. The company did well until rubber molds became popular in the 1980s. Even though the name sounds Dutch, Holland Mold was named after the family’s last name, not the country.

Holland Mold only made plaster molds, not the finished Beatles statues. This is important if you want to know if something is real. Unlike companies like Lefton or Napco, Holland Mold didn’t make or sell finished ceramic statues in stores. They sold plaster molds to pottery shops, craft stores, and people who made ceramics at home. Buyers would pour liquid clay into the molds, bake the pieces in a kiln, and hand-paint them. Some molds were used by small factories, but most Beatles statues were painted one by one by people at home. That’s why you see so many different paint colors and faces on these statues.

Each statue has "Holland Mold" stamped on the bottom and depicts one of the four Beatles in great detail. The statues aren’t all the same size: George and John are 6½ by 3½ inches, Paul is 6¼ by 3¼ inches, and Ringo sits on a base that’s 5½ by 6½ inches. The molds included details like wrinkles in the clothes, textured hair, drumsticks for Ringo, and guitars for each Beatle. Most people made just the four Beatles, but the original set could also have a ceramic stage and microphone. Sets with the stage are very hard to find today.

These Beatles statues were made by hobbyists, not by the Beatles’ official companies like NEMS Enterprises or Apple Corps. That’s why you won’t find copyright stamps, license info, or serial numbers on them. The only mark is the “Holland Mold” name on the base, which

shows who made the mold, not who painted it. Holland Mold was just one of many companies making Beatles-themed ceramics without a license. If you look at old auction sites, you’ll find lots of other Beatles crafts from the 1960s, like sofa sets from Mexico, cartoon-like figurines, and wall busts. Many small craft companies made unofficial Beatles items back then.

Some sellers claim these statues were made in “1963,” but that’s just a guess. Most Holland Mold Beatles designs started around 1965 or 1966. Since one plaster mold could be used for years, there isn’t a single release date like with store-bought toys. The company first made the molds during the British Invasion, but most people made these statues in the 1970s and 1980s, after the Beatles had broken up. Sometimes you can tell how old a statue is by the paint, the glaze, or a date scratched on the bottom.

Collectors today think these Beatles statues are more like fun pieces of American folk art than serious Beatles collectibles. Since they weren’t official and were made by hand for years, full sets of all four Beatles—especially the stage set—are hard to find and very popular with collectors. These statues show how creative fans were and how Beatlemania even reached people’s homes through crafts, not just things bought in stores.

“I think there has always been a question as to whether these Holland figures were ever licensed. Personally, I don’t believe they were. I think they are a clever “knock off” from the era. As you’ve probably noticed, they only resemble the Fabs - not real close likenesses. And zero mention of “The Beatles”.  They were available in many other colors too! Basically, the full set of four generally were all molded the same. I think both! I’ve seen sets that were noticeably “hand crafted” and sets that were obviously professionally made. I honestly think they were all unlicensed. I’ve seen sets that were “raw” and needed finished or painted. And sets that were obviously glazed and kiln-fired. I believe they all originated from the same manufacturer. Some had “Holland Mold” on them, and some did not. I also think those that have any mention of “The Beatles” on them (say on the bass drum) were applied after manufacturing - by the new owner!” – Dennis Dailey

Holland Mold Inc. 

No evidence has been uncovered that these pieces were licensed by Seltaeb or NEMS Enterprises.

Holland Mold Inc., located at 1040 Pennsylvania Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey (phone: EX 2-7032), was founded in 1946. Frank Hollendonner, who moved from Austria to the U.S., started the company. He learned mold making while working at a tile company back in Austria. After moving to Trenton, New Jersey — a city with lots of pottery factories - Frank got a job making molds for tiles. He made friends quickly, and people started asking him to create molds for all sorts of projects.

Thanks to all the requests, Frank started Holland Mold in his garage with his brother Rudy. The business took off quickly. Frank even had to mortgage his house and borrow money to move the company into a bigger place.

They didn’t make finished ceramics themselves. Instead, they made molds, mostly for people who liked crafts at home. Some big pottery companies later used their mold designs to produce many ceramic pieces.

Holland Mold lasted 51 years and stayed in the Hollendonner family for three generations.

You can still find ceramics with the Holland Mold name today. Some were made by professionals, but most were created by hobbyists at home.

#faBgear #nemsmemorabilia #MarkItfaB @NEMSmemorabilia #ItsafaBfaBfaBfaBworld #BeatlesMemorabilia www.fabgear.company 🔷 Beatles 🔷 NEMS