Collectibles - Stamps, Coins, and More » Collectibles

Wizard of Oz Turns 70 – Collecting Oz Movie Posters & Celebrity Autographs

Jennifer — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:45:35 +0000

Wizard of Oz

If there ever was a time when Oz lovers were vilified for their passion it may be this week as Oz and the world celebrates 70 years of timeless wonder. For those of us who grew up watching this magical event once a year…

I have always been a wizard of Oz fan, it is probably my favorite movie of all time. Yet, maybe I never really understood the genuine mystic, magic behind this 1939 masterpiece until two years ago when my daughter was just a year old. I’ll never forget as the Lion (the lovable Bert Lahr) burst from the woods with a cowardly persona disguised by a false intimidation. Little Anna’s eyes were as wide as they could get, fixated on this furry, unfamiliar character. She was mesmerized as I was over 40 years ago at my first Oz viewing. This movie really took you inside, like an out of body experience onto the “yellow brick road”.

This week to celebrate this historical event was one-shot theatrical runs of Oz in high definition in nearly 400 cities. And, This Wizard, hits stores on Sept. 29 in a newly remastered Hi-Def DVDs and Blu-ray.

As a collector of original vintage movie memorabilia the Wizard of Oz was my earliest collecting passions. And, 25 years later it may be the most popular of all my categories on my vintage treasures web site. From autographed photos of Oz cast members to original movie posters, these are examples of Oz treasures collectors can’t get enough of. To give you an example of the demand for original vintage Oz memorabilia. Last week an authentically autographed photo in character of the “Good Witch Glinda” sold for over $11,000.

For Oz and autograph collectors an autographed photo in Oz character of Glinda is highly scarce as only ONE other has ever surfaced on the market prior to last week’s auction. Other scarce Oz signed photos are Frank Morgan as the Wizard (sold for over $10,000), Judy Garland as “Dorothy” (sell for over $20,000) and the Bert Lahr as the “Lion” (sells for over $10,000). The original movie posters can sell in excess of $50,000. However, since an original Wizard of OZ one sheet movie poster has never surfaced in the marketplace, a value of over $100,000 would be no surprise. Hence, if you are a collector of Oz memorabilia, you have good taste, not to mention wise investment intuition.

Other events this week include A 71/2-story hot-air balloon that began touring the country since taking off May 13 from Kansas City, Kan., stops Thursday at New York’s Tavern on the Green. The gala features Judy Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft, surviving Munchkins and Ashanti, who plays Dorothy in New York City Center’s production of The Wiz. All this and a yellow brick carpet, too.

Also to celebrate Oz turning 70 this week Ashanti will light the Empire State Building – Emerald City-green, of course. All of this to commemorate what many believe to be the greatest movie ever produced. Just think, 70 years later, with all the technology and Hollywood talent, nothing has since come close.

The author has been collecting and selling celebrity autographs vintage movie posters historical & sports memorabilia and fine art oil paintings for over 20 years.

No related posts.

Vintage Thanksgiving Decorations and Collectibles

Jennifer — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:20:28 +0000

Thanksgiving is an occasion everybody looks forward to. It is a special event when families reunite and friends get together for a meal representative of thankfulness for all the blessings that have come the whole year round. Comparatively, Thanksgiving does not tend to the same level of decorating as Halloween or Christmas, holidays for which decorating has become so much a part of the celebration, but there are still wonderful Thanksgiving decorations to make your home more festive. And some of my favorite decorations are Thanksgiving vintage collectibles.

Most Thanksgiving collectibles tend to revolve around the foods we eat during the season, whether used as images on paper items such as Thanksgiving postcards or decorating food serving items such as trays and dishes. Pumpkins, corn and of course, turkeys are on top of the list.

The popularity of these collectibles is prompted by historic reasons. Originally, Thanksgiving Day is an occasion to symbolize the thankfulness of early American settlers for a bountiful harvest season. Through the years, the occasion has evolved and has become more symbolic in nature. Now, people gather in Thanksgiving to express thankfulness for all the blessings and good tidings accumulated in the past year.

Because the celebration of Thanksgiving revolves around the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, items that symbolize that meal gathering have become the objects that symbolize the occasion. Among the popular collectibles are Thanksgiving mementos made of paper, fabric, and wax; such as cards, tablecloths, and candles. You would also notice that Thanksgiving collectibles are mostly display and dinner pieces, usually ceramic or porcelain. These are collectibles that serve a functional, as well as decorative purpose, especially items like dinner plates, bowls, casseroles, platters, gravy boats and salt and pepper shakers.

In the 1800s and throughout the 20th century, manufacturers have produced Thanksgiving decorations. Most of the vintage items are still very much functional today, though some collectors may prefer to keep them for display purposes only so they’ll be protected from any mishaps. I would hate to spill gravy or wine all over a vintage tablecloth.

Some other popular vintage Thanksgiving collectibles available are soap and food molds. As usual, these items are usable and can be very helpful in making food presentations during the Thanksgiving meal more appropriate, lively and decorative. Vintage candy containers are also readily available online at sites like Ebay. There are many fun turkey-shaped candy containers manufactured during the first half of the 20th century that can add to the Thanksgiving atmosphere.

If you enjoy decorating your Thanksgiving table, be sure to check out some of the vintage Thanksgiving decorations available, including some very cute Turkey Candy Containers.

Emma Martin collects vintage decor, especially Halloween and Christmas collectibles. You’ll find more great vintage holiday items at her website: http://www.retroholiday.com

Special valuables require special insurance

Jennifer — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:58:29 +0000

Specialty insurance covers everything from original artwork to engagement rings to rare book collections -- even a million-dollar wine collection.

(ARA) – If you’re remodeling or redecorating this season, you’re probably also buying some goodies to spruce up your home — like an antique dining set, original artwork or a high-end oriental rug.

Insurance experts warn that your homeowners or renters policy often won’t replace higher value items if they’re damaged or destroyed. Similarly, your policy might not cover your most unique or sentimental possessions.

Special items warrant special coverage
For unique and hard-to-value possessions, it’s best to go with an insurer that specializes in such items, says Jaclyn Krywar, who works for QBE Specialty Insurance. The insurer covers everything from engagement rings to rare book collections, your grandmother’s brooch or the Lladro collection in your living room hutch — even a million-dollar wine collection.

“A company that specializes in underwriting valuable articles can provide the most competitive pricing, broadest policies, and in the event of a claim, accurate estimates for replacing or restoring an item,” she says. “Specialty insurers can also provide more flexible, tailored coverage than a standard homeowners’ insurer and with no deductible.”

For example, if you have a decadent wine collection, QBE Specialty’s wine policy includes risks that aren’t often covered, like breakage, label restoration and spoilage due to mechanical breakdown of a cellar. And if you have historical memorabilia or a fine art collection, Krywar’s company would cover the risk of lending these to a museum as a loan or on exhibition.

Your homeowners or renters policy often won't replace higher value items if they're damaged or destroyed.

For off-beat and sentimental items, like your family heirloom Civil War rifle or that costume from Star Wars you bought on eBay, you’ll likely need a specialty insurer in order to find coverage. However, Krywar says most specialty policies protect more common valuables like a family’s wedding china or silverware, a few paintings and a small jewelry collection.

“Large or small, and even if you can’t put a value on it, be sure to insure it,” she says.

A floater could float you
Another option is inland marine coverage (often called a “floater” or “scheduled personal property”) that’s added to your homeowners or renters policy. This will boost your limit and broaden your “cause of loss” for specific items.

Why is that important? Take a wedding ring. The average cost of a diamond ring is almost $4,000. But if it’s stolen your standard homeowners policy would probably only cover about $1,000. And on a standard homeowners or renters policy, jewelry is covered for “named perils” like fire, theft or lightning. When scheduled separately, it’s covered on an “all-risk” basis, even if you drop your diamond into the running garbage disposal.

“Jewelry is valuable, and it’s easy to lose and easy to steal,” says Jonathan Farris, assistant vice president at QBE Regional Insurance. “When it’s scheduled, you can rest assured that it will be covered no matter how it’s lost.”

Farris adds that most consumers find the cost of scheduling to be very reasonable. For example, to cover a $3,000 ring costs about $30 a year on a policy from QBE Regional’s General Casualty or Unigard brands.

When deciding which items to schedule, the experts say to consider anything valued over $1,000 or any group collectively valued over $2,000 (think china set).

“Schedule items you couldn’t afford to replace on your own,” Farris says. “And consult with your independent insurance agent to make sure your most prized possessions are adequately protected.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Antique Appraisal Tips

Mid Century Modern Collectibles

Jennifer — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:37:00 +0000

A friend of mine recently started a new site that covers Mid Century Modern home decor and collectibles; she’s posted some really adorable finds on her blog and if you’ve ever wanted to start collecting something that’s useful and eye-catching at the same time, then you might want to take a look at some of the furnishings featured there.

Here’s an example of a mid century modern chair – “Diamond Chair” by Harry Bertoia:

Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s

“Mid-Century modern” is an architectural, interior, and product design form that generally describes mid-20th century developments from around 1933 to 1965. The term was coined in 1983 by Cara Greenberg after the title of her book, Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s (Random House), celebrating the style which is now recognized by scholars and museums worldwide as a significant design movement. Greenberg begins the book with “The early 1950s was not the first time modern furniture had been offered to the American public, but it was the first time they lined up around the block to buy it.”

Mid-century architecture was an evolution of Frank Lloyd Wright’s principles of organic architecture combined with many elements of the International and Bauhaus movements.

What Do You Collect?

Jennifer — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:09:32 +0000

Last year one collector had the fun idea to post a YouTube video which features some of his collectibles and invites others to post their collectibles via a video reply. Here was his video:

and here are some highlights of the replies:

U.S. Air Mail Stamps
“Please visit http://www.USAirMailStamps.com/ for more rare and collectible United States Airmail Special Delivery postage stamps.”

Lovely Vintage Postcards
“Please visit http://www.VintagePostcardStore.net/ for more rare and collectible vintage postcards.”

One Large Toy Collection
“This is my first attempt at showing my action figure and toy collection, edited to accompany John Williams’ Superman theme. It’s mainly super-heroes, with a smattering of other stuff. Enjoy! ”

And there are many more than that. If you have a great collection, why not show it off on YouTube and meet other collectors there too!