Posts Tagged ‘collecting’

 A Hug . . . isn’t that appropriate?  Lucky Bears Limited is a UK company, understandable since England’s manufacturers of collectible Teddy Bears outnumbered many other countries.  Although Lucky Bears offers a few new bears for children, they specialize in vintage and antique bears for the collector and new collectible bears are available from selected manufacturers.

Steiff is probably the most well-known maker of Teddy Bears and auction prices confirm its collectibility.  But there are several other companies that produced (some still in business) high quality bears.  As part of their Encyclopaedia, Lucky Bears gives us the history, popular bears, and means of identification for companies spanning five countries.  While many may think ‘one size fits all,’ the characteristics of each company’s bears shows just how unique these creations are.

Browsing the antique and vintage bears for sale, one is struck by the personality of each.  Many were created to commemorate events and people.  Paddington Bear is a classic example of bears who were born from storybooks.  And who doesn’t remember Smokey telling us “Only YOU can prevent forest fires”?

Lucky Bears tells you how to care for your bears – storage, cleaning, pests, etc.  Especially important when adding a vintage bear to your Hug.  Not just for antique bears, this is applicable to the numerous bears your children have been given over the years.  The glossary is well done and includes ‘when’ and ‘why’ explanations.  Vastly more understandable than just a quickie definition, which often leaves one no wiser than before.  If you’ve come across a Teddy Bear term not mentioned, Lucky Bears encourages you to email them and they’ll add it to the glossary.

Just as we have a diversified group of friends, Teddy’s circle includes dogs, frogs, rabbits, beavers and more.  Collectible on their own, Teddy would invite them all to a party.  And don’t forget to dress appropriately; from a casual backyard barbecue to the president’s inauguration, the well-dressed bear is ready for any occasion.  You can find accessories here or inspiration to make your own.

How much is your bear worth?  Lucky Bears gives us an in-depth look at what makes a bear valuable.  Condition is primary for any collectible, manufacturer is important, but size, color and other factors also contribute to value.  Take a close look at your Teddy Bear while reading “How Much is MY Antique Bear Worth?” and you may move him from your bed to a glass case.

Lucky Bears Limited <http://luckybears.com> is a friendly, informative, easy-to-navigate site.  They gladly share their considerable knowledge and have superb photos.  And don’t forget to check out the Links page for clubs, current manufacturers, magazines, and more.

Tell ‘em I sent ya’
Victoria

P.S. For those not familiar with the metric system an easy, one-step conversion is http://www.worldwidemetric.com/measurements.html

They’ve all appeared on collectible promotional glasses.  And confusing – if you’ve ever tried to figure out who, what and when.  The Promotional Glass Collectors Association has created a remarkable database that they’ve opted to share online.  You don’t have to be a member to view, but if you are interested in promotional glasses or have customers who are, a member is REALLY a good thing to be.  Also, these have such a large cross-over into other collectibles (Disney, Superhero, Pepsi, Character, etc.) and you’ll find yourself returning time and again.

Arranging the information in a database makes this a ‘searching for dummies’ dream.  Type ‘lion’ and you’ll get a list of all the lions who ever appeared on a glass.  Type ‘burger king’ and poof! – all the glasses they used for promotion.  Click on a glass and you get a larger photo.  Glasses are given an ID#, brief description, size, category, name, search keys and additional categories to find similar ones, comments; and year and variations when known.  And the feature you’re going to love – when applicable, each glass is linked to the entire set.  No more guessing if you’ve finally completed a set, with all its variations.  Read Examples and Definitions on the database page before you start searching for helpful hints.  One note: Pepsi and Coca-Cola produced hundreds, if not thousands, of promotional glasses – both too long for a single list, so pick another feature of the glass for your search.

Starting a collection can be fun (especially for children) and reasonable, although if you get really serious the scarcer glasses can put a dent in your pocket.  A rare set of 6 early McDonald’s glasses sold on ebay for $612 last year.  [I visualize everyone heading for the kitchen cupboard right about now.]

Be sure to check out the FAQ page which has a lot more than your usual FAQ, including a glossary.  Articles on different subjects, bookstore, message board, plus a link takes you to PGCA’s Flickr site where collectors share photos, finds, collections and related items.

Club meets are held all over the country, this year in Ohio on the same weekend as the Springfield Extravaganza Flea Market.  Besides being invited to the meeting, some of the benefits of membership are: opportunity to purchase limited edition club glasses (only 144 made); voting on club issues; free wanted/for sale ads; opportunity to meet great people and access to the member list (see who collects what you do).  You’ll find some great deals in the independent auction open to anyone. Just email the auctioneer to get a bid number. You can also consign items for the auction.  PGCA gets a small percentage that helps keep their terrific website up and running for us all.

Who hasn’t had at least a few mismatched, colorful and crazy glasses in the cupboard at one time or another?  Don’t you wish you’d saved every one of them?  Take a walk down memory lane as you browse PGCA’s website (http://www.pgcaglassclub.com/index.php).

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Victoria

That is the question, and after visiting Richard Binder’s website (http://www.richardspens.com) I have an overwhelming urge to send snail mail on real paper with real ink, and really wish I had better handwriting.  Where to start?

I could begin with all the great info that’s available or the photos or the blog.  But since I have such fond memories of traveling the roads in the passenger seat of a semi with my father, I’m gonna start at Richard’s “Pen Writings” where he gives a new slant to the old Burma Shave road signs.  And read the rest of them.  Poignant is not a word I use often (obviously, since I had to run it through spell-checker), but some of his writings are gonna stay with you for a while.

Where next?  Richard offers pens, nibs, accessories, tools, repair and restoration services and if you’re already a pen collector, I’d recommend him.  Not because I actually own a pen that doesn’t have a slogan on the side, but because his enthusiasm is boundless, and I’ve discovered over the years that people who love their work want to spread the joy.

Now to the nitty gritty.  Reference pages are a cornucopia for anyone involved in, interested in, or just curious about pens (and mechanical pencils too, since they often came in a set).  He’s covered everything from anatomy of a pen, glossary, history, care of, how to fill, and English/French/Japanese lexicons to design features, and my favorite ‘the pen detective’.  Read that and you’ll never walk past a pen again without whipping out a magnifying glass.  There’s a whole section on Inks, how they rate, which ones to avoid, etc.  Click on any of the reference headings and you’ll find a whole list of articles, how-to’s, specific and general information.  If you have a question, the answer is probably here.

Richard’s own collection of pens features exquisite descriptions and really first rate photos, all of which can be enlarged in great detail.  His ‘Reader’s Corner’ recommends books that he’s read and gives a brief summary and these aren’t just collector-type books.  You can subscribe to Nib Noise, a monthly newsletter, and there’s plenty of links for you to explore.

Go forth and discover, dear reader (my apologies to Mr. King), and you won’t be disappointed.  Visit Richard Binder’s website (http://www.richardspens.com) and

Tell ‘em I sent ya’
Victoria

Wondering what the heck that means, aren’t you?

Well, now I know it means matchbook collecting, thanks to Mike Prero’s website The Matchbook Vault (http://matchpro.org/index.html).  I also know why he calls this the ‘Vault.’  It’s solid gold.  Wit and wisdom are combined to take the reader on a trip through American history by way of the matchbook.  Practically unknown by those under 25, the rest of us have ‘closed cover before striking’ to light cigarettes, campfires, gas stoves, candles, and sometimes just to light the way.

While matchboxes originated in Europe, the matchbook is a uniquely American invention.  You’d be hard pressed to find a better chronicle of America . . . its people, places, values . . . than these seemingly insignificant pieces of colored cardboard.  Politics, sports, restaurants, wars, tobacco, dogs, movie stars, world fairs, cover girls, railroads.  If it existed – it was immortalized on a matchbook cover.  Although basically unchanged since 1894, a dazzling variety of types and sizes, fine artwork, unique advertising, and cross-over collecting make this a life-long and limitless hobby.

And what does The Matchbook Vault have to offer?  Everything.  Since I’m recommending the website you know it has tons of information, it’s easy to navigate, etc., etc.  From the Overview to Treasure Hunting.  Mike’s enthusiasm for phillumeny is boundless and his reality check is a refreshing approach to collecting as a whole every collector should read.  Click on any of a multitude of clearly marked buttons and you’ll discover facts, tips, lists, how-to’s and much more.

And if you’re like me, you’re looking through the junk drawer to find matchbooks that may have been there forever.  Maybe you’ll find a treasure, maybe not.  But you’ll have a little bit of history in your hand.  Visit http://matchpro.org/index.html and
Tell ‘em I sent ya’
Victoria

Whatever you collect, you know the thrill of the hunt and the pure joy of adding a new found item to your collection. How do you share this with young children or grandchildren? Obviously, digging in the dirt with your prized spoons, or playing catch with your fragile water globes is not the way to go. Why not start a collection of their very own?

While Fenton glass may fascinate you, odds are your child is going to be more interested in the very things he/she is playing with now – dinosaurs, dolls, action figures, tea sets, balls, marbles, etc. Does he make a beeline for every lizard, insect, and crawly thing he sees? Is it love at first sight for any dog she encounters? Since you’ve already recycled a zillion birthday and holiday presents, which ones does she still play with? What item has stood the test of time, perhaps advanced, but still the same thing?

Let’s face it, kids want to PLAY with their things, and no collectible can long be played with, buried, left outside, dropped, etc. and remain a ‘collectible.’ So buy two. Yikes, that could get expensive! Well, not two exactly alike, just similar. A porcelain doll that will be kept in a glass cabinet can be accompanied by a ‘hands on’ doll. A finely detailed museum dinosaur is put on a shelf, while the big rubber dinosaur is ready for action. If action figures is your child’s joy, buy two of newly released figures and keep one pristine in its packaging.

Fill out an index card for each piece. Where and when it was found/bought, history of the item and all the information you can find out by researching books or online. You might have memorized everything about your Jim Beam decanter collection, but you’re not going to remember the biography of the player who signed that baseball if you’re not a fan.

And take it out once in a while. Let your child have a ‘hands on’ experience with you.

It doesn’t have to be expensive. A department store ceramic horse for display with a toy horse for play won’t break the budget. Nature provides a huge opportunity to start a collection that doesn’t cost a cent. A walk along the beach is the beginning of a shell or sea glass collection. Digging a hole yields rocks to identify. Leaves, seeds, nuts can be found anywhere, flowers can be pressed.

Expand the experience with a book or movie, visit a museum, take a nature walk, go to an auto show – whatever ties in with your child’s collectible. This is one ‘bug’ you won’t mind spreading around.