White Bird Keiki Kite

by Darrell Phillips
(Lincolnton, NC, USA)

Q:

Hi Tim, I was searching the web trying to find out some information on my kite, but it is turning out to be a little harder than expected. The kite is a White Bird Kite. It has the paperwork in the bag with it that states it is a Keiki Diamond child's kite. Kite makers Chris and Heloise Lochman.

From what I have come up with White Bird is no longer in business, so I was wondering if there was a way to determine the age and value of the kite.

A:

Yes, it appears you are correct about the kite makers no longer being in business.

Age...

As for age, I discovered that wholesale catalogs were being distributed to retailers for several years since 1998. However, one reference claimed White Bird the company had been producing kites since 1972! Could be true.

White Bird did a whole lot more than just simple, small kids kites though. During your searches, you probably came across their large Dragons, Winged Box Kites and other large show kites. How about the Super Star 100 Petals, an 8-point star with concentric geometric patterns painted on.

Price...

If you sign up with WorthPoint.com (look it up) for a 7-day free trial, you can search for 'white bird diamond kite' and get the price on one of these that sold in 2011. Not identical to yours by the looks of it, but it might be close in value. It sold via auction on eBay in March 2011.

Also, I found a web page 'last updated in 2007', which showed 11 Diamond designs from White Bird - for US$15.95. I've sent an email to the shop owner. If he replies, I will update this post with any new info that he sends me.

In conclusion...

Kites from White Bird seem to have a great reputation for quality. Don't let your original White Bird Keiki Kite go too quick, I'd say...

There still seems to be some interest in kites from this company. Including, specifically, the Diamonds like yours. By the way, does yours carry the signature 'Karen'? The company used artists for many of their kites.