Frequently Asked Questions about KLM Delft Blue Houses

Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about KLM Delft Blue miniature houses, collecting, authenticity, ordering, shipping and visiting our showroom.

Questions

How many KLM Delft Blue houses are there?

There are currently 107 numbered KLM Delft Blue houses. KLM House No. 107, Wijnhoeve De Kleine Schorre in Dreischor, was unveiled on 7 October 2026.

When did KLM start giving out Delft Blue houses?

KLM introduced the first Delft Blue miniature houses in 1952. Since then, the collection has grown into one of the best-known airline collectibles in the world.

Why does the house number match KLM's age?

Since 1994, the number of KLM houses has been aligned with the age of KLM. Every year on 7 October, KLM's anniversary, a new numbered house is traditionally unveiled.

What is the newest KLM house?

The newest miniature is KLM House No. 107, Wijnhoeve De Kleine Schorre in Dreischor, Zeeland. It was unveiled on 7 October 2026.

Are KLM houses based on real buildings?

Most KLM houses are based on real historic buildings. The majority are located in the Netherlands, although the collection also includes a small number of buildings outside the European Netherlands.

For some early miniatures, the exact original building has never been identified with complete certainty. Where different historical sources provide different identifications, we try to make this clear on the relevant product page.

Are KLM houses actually bottles?

Yes. KLM Delft Blue houses are traditionally made as small ceramic bottles rather than purely decorative miniatures.

What is inside a KLM house?

Modern KLM houses are generally filled with Bols Genever. Older houses can have different markings relating to earlier distillers and suppliers.

Why are some KLM houses empty?

There are several reasons why a KLM house may be empty. Empty houses may be distributed on flights to destinations where restrictions apply to alcohol.

Older houses may also be empty because the contents were consumed or because some of the liquid evaporated over the years.

Can the alcohol evaporate from a sealed KLM house?

Yes. Even when the cork and seal appear intact, liquid can slowly evaporate over many years. This is particularly common with older houses and does not automatically mean that the miniature has previously been opened.

Are all KLM houses made by Bols?

No. Different names and markings can be found on houses from different periods, including Rynbende, Henkes and Bols.

These variations are part of the history of the KLM miniature collection and can be particularly interesting to collectors.

Are all KLM houses made in the Netherlands?

No. Official KLM houses have been manufactured in different locations during different periods. The country in which a house was produced does not by itself determine whether it is authentic.

How can I tell whether a KLM house is authentic?

Authentic KLM houses can differ considerably depending on their age and production period. Characteristics include the shape of the miniature, ceramic quality, Delft Blue decoration, markings on the base, cork and seal.

Because genuine KLM houses have been produced in many different versions, a single characteristic is usually not enough to determine authenticity.

Do you guarantee authenticity?

Yes. The KLM houses we sell are original KLM Delft Blue miniatures. Each house is checked before it is offered for sale.

Colour, markings, manufacturer, cork, seal and other details can differ between genuine examples. These production differences do not automatically indicate that a miniature is not authentic.

Why do two KLM houses with the same number look different?

Many KLM house numbers have been produced for decades. During that time manufacturers, moulds, colours, markings and finishing details have changed.

It is therefore perfectly possible for two authentic examples of the same KLM house number to look noticeably different.

What are Classic Bols KLM houses?

Classic Bols is a term used for older Bols editions of KLM houses. These versions are often recognisable by their lighter Delft Blue colouring, particularly on the roofs and decorations.

Many Classic Bols houses also have no production date engraved into the base.

What is the difference between a numbered KLM house and a special edition?

The regular KLM collection consists of consecutively numbered miniature houses. In addition, KLM and its partners have produced various special Delft Blue miniatures that are not part of the numbered series.

Examples include the Royal Palace Amsterdam, Platinum for Life Palace, Ridderzaal, Rijksmuseum and Scheepvaartmuseum editions.

What is the KLM Royal Palace Honeymoon Edition?

The Royal Palace Amsterdam Honeymoon Edition is a special KLM miniature that was presented to newlywed couples travelling with KLM on their honeymoon.

It is a special edition and is not part of the regular numbered KLM house series.

What is the Platinum for Life Palace?

The Platinum for Life Palace is a special KLM edition of the Royal Palace Amsterdam associated with Flying Blue members who achieved Platinum for Life status.

This miniature is also separate from the regular numbered collection.

Can I buy individual KLM houses?

Yes. Individual KLM houses can be purchased separately, making it possible to replace missing numbers or build a collection gradually.

Can I buy a complete set of KLM houses?

Yes. We regularly offer complete and partial collections, including numbered sets and selected older or special editions.

Availability can vary because many of these sets consist of previously collected KLM houses.

How long does delivery take?

Orders are normally prepared and dispatched within a few working days. The final delivery time depends on the destination and the shipping service used.

Once an order has been shipped, tracking information is provided where available.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping costs depend on the destination, size of the order and shipping method. The applicable shipping costs are shown during checkout before you complete your order.

Orders are shipped with tracking and appropriate insurance.

Which payment methods do you accept?

The available payment methods are displayed during checkout and can vary depending on the country from which you are ordering.

You can select one of the available payment methods before confirming the order.

Can I return my order?

Eligible consumer purchases can be returned in accordance with our return policy and the applicable statutory right of withdrawal.

Please contact us before returning an order so that we can provide the correct return instructions. The return shipment is made at your own responsibility, and KLM houses must be packed carefully and securely to prevent damage during transport.

Can KLM houses be shipped internationally?

Yes. We ship KLM houses worldwide using PostNL, DPD, GLS, FedEx and DHL, depending on the destination, parcel and available shipping options.

PostNL is mainly used for shipments within the Netherlands and Europe. For France we also use DPD. Shipments to the United Kingdom and the United States are commonly sent with GLS or FedEx, while FedEx is also frequently used for Canada and other overseas destinations. DHL may be used where it provides a suitable shipping option.

All shipments are sent with tracking and appropriate insurance. The available or selected shipping method may vary depending on the destination and the individual order.

Are import duties and taxes included?

Import duties, taxes and customs charges depend on the destination country and shipping method.

For shipments outside the European Union, additional import charges may apply. Where duties or taxes are not collected during checkout, they can be charged by the carrier or local customs authorities.

Why do I have to confirm that I am 18 or older?

Many KLM houses contain genever and therefore contain alcohol. For this reason, visitors may be asked to confirm that they are 18 years of age or older.

The age verification relates to the alcoholic contents of the miniature. Collecting Delft Blue KLM miniature houses itself is not restricted to adults.

Can I visit your showroom?

Yes. Our showroom in Amstelveen can be visited to view KLM houses and collections in person.

For current opening times, available appointment times, directions and other visitor information, please visit our showroom and visiting information page.

How is the condition of a KLM house assessed?

We look at the overall condition of the ceramic miniature, including cracks, chips, damage to the roof or chimney, decoration, base, cork and seal.

Because many houses are decades old, minor differences caused by age and the original manufacturing process can occur.

How should I store KLM houses?

KLM houses are best stored upright in a dry place. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, as this can affect the appearance of the miniature and its seal over time.

How can I find a specific KLM house?

You can search our website using the KLM house number, building name or location. Our individual product pages also contain information about the original building represented by the miniature whenever this information is known.

Can I collect every version of every KLM house?

Yes, although collecting every known variation is considerably more challenging than collecting one example of each numbered house.

Many numbers exist in multiple versions with differences in colour, markings, manufacturer, base, cork, seal and other production details.

What is a complete KLM house collection?

A complete numbered collection currently consists of KLM House No. 1 through KLM House No. 107.

Special editions are separate from the numbered series and are therefore not required for a complete numbered collection.

Do you also buy KLM houses and collections?

Yes. We buy individual KLM houses, partial collections, complete collections and special editions.

What we can offer depends on the composition and condition of the collection. If you would like to sell KLM houses, please visit our Sell your KLM houses page for more information.