Collectibles?
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A collectable or collectible[1] is typically a manufactured item designed for people to collect. In this respect, they are distinguishable from other subjects of collections, which may also include natural objects (e.g., butterflies) and objects manufactured for purposes other than collecting (e.g., stamps). Some objects designed for other purposes, such as toys, become so popular among collectors that they are later marketed specifically to that audience. The high price for certain older Star Wars action figures is a good example of this phenomenon since the figures were originally intended to be purchased as toys rather than collectibles. It is a noun or adjective depending how it is used in a sentence.
A collector’s item, in contrast is made without the intention of special interest but due to rarity or uniqueness, production fault, human error, or other events, becomes sought after due to its rarity in these circumstances. Such circumstances may result in an item from a collectible series becoming valuable and sold for substantial amounts of money. In the 1960s, it became fashionable for some comic book companies, such as Marvel Comics or DC Comics to boost sales of their comic books by printing “Collectors’ Item” on the covers. In fact, Marvel Comics even issued a 1960s comic book series which was titled Marvel Collectors’ Item Classics.
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[edit] Spelling
Although “collectable” is the spelling listed first for the adjective by the Oxford English Dictionary and is standard spelling in British English, the dictionary observes that the “-ible” form is also valid, and has come to be common spelling in the United States.
[edit] History
The earliest collectibles were included as incentives with other products, such as cigarette cards in packs of cigarettes. Popular items developed a secondary market and sometimes became the subject of “collectible crazes”. Eventually many collectible items came to be sold separately, instead of being used as marketing tools to increase the appeal of other products.
To encourage collecting, manufacturers often create an entire series of a given collectible, with each item differentiated in some fashion. Examples include sports cards depicting individual players, or different designs of Beanie Babies. Enthusiasts will often try to assemble a complete set of the available variations.
The early versions of a product, manufactured in smaller quantities before its popularity as a collectible developed, sometimes command exorbitant premiums on the secondary market. Dolls and other toys made during an adult collector’s childhood can command such premiums. Unless extremely rare or made as a one-of-a-kind OOAK, in a mature market, collectibles rarely prove to be a spectacular investment.
[edit] See also
- Action figures
- Artist trading cards
- Autograph
- Bottle cap
- Button collecting
- Collecting
- Colnect
- Comicbook
- Ephemera
- Muscle car
- Numismatics
- Notaphily
- Philately
- Phillumeny
- Souvenir
- Phone card as an artifact or collectible
- Trading cards
- Treasures.tv
[edit] References
1 American and British English spelling differences
[edit] External links
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Look up collectable in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
Another category of collectibles that are popular is the old advertising memorabilia put out to help develop the brands of some of the world’s most popular soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and others.
The most popular items typically include vintage signs (especially those made of porcelain), serving trays, clocks and other old, original promotional advertising items.
Equally collected are those items that were part and parcel to the actual product itself such as the bottles in which the sodas were distributed (among the most sought-after: the ultra-rare 1890s Hutchison type bottles and the hard to find straight-sided bottles circa 1905-1920 which were often amber in color). Other such examples include unusual and rare items such as pieces of the short-lived Coca-Cola gum or even simply the gum wrappers themselves. These remnants from days gone by evoke a longing for the simpler times that were the Victorian era at the beginning of 20th century.
I am writing to you because I have Obama,s father diaries(1968-1980) and in particular the 1971 one which has details of Obama and his father meeting in Hawaii in December.At the back of the diary(notes section) Obama’s father has written about six pages about his trip to Hawaii,how he spent his time there and what he thought about his son.The other diaries have details about his daily activities(both official and personal) and from them one can gather a lot about his personality .I am writting to you because i believe this diaries can make a great story for an American newspaper.
President Obama father used to be a tenant in our building in Kenya and when he died in 1982 there are some belongings that his relative’s left behind at our place.I think they found them valueless thus the reason for leaving them behind.The items have been in our old store since 1982 and among them is a box full of documents and recently I wanted to throw them away but decided to first peruse.That is where i found these old diaries.They are old but legible although some are faint.
Do you think they would qualify as collectors items and if so how do i market them coz i can’t trade via e-bay here in kenya.
THANKS.
JOSECK MWANGI
KENYA-EAST AFRICA