Collectibles Past & Present
Antiques – Modern Collectibles
Antique Depression Glass Is Still Popular
Dec 24th
Antique depression glass as you might guess got name and notoriety by being produced and sold as a fairly inexpensive pressed glass sold during the time in history known as the Great depression. It was a formal and decorative dinnerware that was far less expensive than imported European china or crystal glassware and much more widely available to the common household.
Today Antique Depression glass has become quite a valuable collectible and while still far less expensive than quality crystal or porcelain it is still widely in demand. Many have fallen in love with the many different patterns and colors after seeing them in their Grandmothers china cupboards or when used on special occasions during the holidays. For some like my wife completing an entire set of pink cherry blossom Depression glass has become an obsession. She was given a nice pink depression cookie jar as a gift from my mother that had been passed down through the generations of our family. That’s all it took to set her on a mission of seeking out an entire set of this pale pink glassware. Today one of her most prized possessions is a hard to find pink whiskey shot glass that she found at a local estate sale. Read the rest of this entry »
Coke Santa Trays and Polar Bear Collectibles
Dec 13th
Building upon the long history of vintage advertising trays the like the Coke Santa trays, Coca Cola also came out with a huge marketing campaign utilizing a polar bear which has in recent years become a very highly collectaible Christmas item. Both the vintage coke trays depicting the modern Santa Claus and the cute and cuddly coke polar bears dawning a red scarf. Coke has become one of the most effective companies at utilizing Christmas to market their already popular products. While the vintage coke Santa trays can fetch quite a handsome price on the antiques and collectible market those wanting to own one can also opt for the more modern reproduction coke trays which can be purchased for under $10 at most large retail outlets. The coke polar bear while it hasnt been around for nearly as long in some cases will still bring a premium amoung those collecting both stuffed animals and Christmas related collectibles. I suspect that much like the antique coke trays these advertising collectible polar bears will one day become a widely sought after prize among collectors. You can still find both of these products are readily available in just about any store carrying the Coke brand products but the harder to find pieces Read the rest of this entry »
How Do Antiques Differ From Collectibles
Oct 6th
Many times when the topic of Collectibles comes up people immediately thing your are talking about antiques. While antiques are a type of collectible there are plenty of other items both modern and vintage that make up the vast majority of things that can be classified as collectible.
Antiques by my definition are things that are 200 years or older. Anything that doesnt have that type of age is in my option considered either a vintage or modern collectible. Many times when people refer to antiques it is assumed they are talking about furniture or glassware. However books, parchments, maps, prints, paintings, coins, jewelry are often time far more valuable than antique furniture or glassware. It is my intent to discuss many types of collectible antiques and cover the specifics of each that make them highly desirable by collectors.
Vintage Collectibles fall in the age of 10-199 years old and like antiques can be just about anything that a person desires to own. Often a personal relationships from the past, life experiences and childhood memories dictate what becomes collectible in each individuals mind. The value of vintage collectibles vary widely depending upon the individuals personal attachment to the item in question. Some collectibles like coins and jewelry among others gain their value from the precious metals and gems that they are made from. An items history such as previous owners, its significance with a historical event or how famous its creator is can also have a huge factor. A print produced by Atkinson Fox, a vase signed by the painter or silver stamped by a well known silver smith for example will fetch far more money on the collectible and antique market than one that doesnt have such distinguishing features.
Modern things that become collectibles are often determined by a fads, trends, scarcity, or other popular culture events. Just because something is highly collected today doesn’t mean that it will remain so as time passes. At one time there was a huge demand for those McDonald’s erasers that came in happy meals, but they are rarely thought of as highly collectible any longer. Talking Elmo a toy that was quite hard to find the first year it was produced maintained a high price tag for quite sometime do solely to its scarcity and overwhelming demand by the consumers. While the Elmo dolls may hold a spot in the hearts of toy collectors for years to come there may come a time when they are considered worthless. Today’s collectables seem to be driven by consumers with almost a cult like desire to acquire the item in question. Without this big demand by consumers to own them, most modern items just remain another piece of personal property with a value based on its usefulness to the individual.
