Expertic was the label placed on collectibles made in the former East Germany during DDR times (DDR Zeit). The Experic Trade Association was formed in 1968 to sell the Erzgebirge Christmas items for hard currency in the west. That means items with the Expertic sticker were made between 1968 and when the wall came down in 1989.

As collectibles they are attractive because:

• They represent fine German craftmanship from the parts of Germany isolated by the wall
• They are limited to a specific period of time.
• They are not being made anymore
• They are still affordable.

Many Expertic items are still available for reasonable prices on Ebay. As I write this, it is obvious that Germans value them more highly then Americans. These items generally sell for much more on Ebay Germany. We have tried to buy from German sellers but the combination of perceived value and postage makes that a lost cause. We have done much better buying items that are already located in the USA