If you are a fan of collectibles, there is no limit to the things that you can gather. It is thrilling, and you get to keep the items that you deem unique and valuable. The hobby has become unbelievably popular, with a market size of $1.5 billion for online antiques and collectibles in the U.S. alone.
However, collectibles do not all come with the same value. Some are worth more than others. For insight into value, here are some of the top treasured collectibles in the world.
1. Art
The beauty of collecting art is the beauty of the art. Museums throughout the world may have a monopoly on collecting fine art, but there are many fine collections of art by individual art lovers. The hobby is not an inexpensive one, but one that can prove to be—in the long run—a solid investment as well as a way of decorating your home. Art is not limited to paintings or drawings and may include lithographs, sculptures, pottery—even wooden eggs.
2. Comic Books
Many kids discover comic books and—as adults—some discover that they really like collecting comic books. The wide variety of published comic books offers collectors almost unlimited choices on which to focus their collections—from Disney characters, to superheroes, to artists like Jim Lee and Robert Crumb. The super sale of a single comic book still rests with the 1938 Action Comics #1, featuring the debut of Superman. That rare edition sold at auction for more than $3.2 million in 2014.
3. Porcelain Vases
If you are a collector who is a fan of vases, you should think about getting a porcelain one. The value of these vases has massively escalated over the years, although they don’t all have the same value. The more common ones that are used for home decor may be available and a bit less expensive; however, a vase from China’s Yuan Dynasty can be worth around $1.2 million.
4. Unique Stamps
Most enthusiastic collectors love rare stamps for various reasons. They are unique, portable, and require only a little storage space. Research done for Forbes by Richard Lehmann revealed that the value of rare stamps continues to increase as the years go by. The more costly a stamp is, the higher the rate of appreciation.
5. Action Figures
Valuable hand-crafted action figures are fascinating, and collectors fight for them. You can go for hard-to-find old ones or modern ones. If you are planning to sell them, you might get handsome returns. Examples of expensive action figures are L’Oiseleur, which is also known as The Bird Trainer ($6.25 million), Transformers Generation 1 Collection ($40,000), and the Original Superman Action Figure ($25,000).
6. Coins
A classic collection of rare coins is also precious. The more unique the coins are, the more beauty they can add to your collection. You can choose them based on their designs and on the potential of value appreciation in the future. Most coin collectors love the hobby because it represents a significant investment, plus it allows them to preserve history. For instance, a Morgan 90% silver dollar is representative of the late 18th century and early 19th century. They can be worth over $100.
7. Dolls
The most expensive dolls are worth collecting, and collecting them doesn’t necessarily require an interest in toys. There are different dolls that you can acquire that were made during various time periods. Each of them comes with its own price tag. For instance, you can find Cabbage Patch dolls that were made in the 1980s being sold at about $5,500. Another treasured doll that you can collect is Barbie, whose demand continues to increase.
8. Movie Collectibles
There are also some high-priced movie collectibles. Some of them include Indy’s Hat from Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Marilyn Monroe’s white dress from The Seven Year Itch (1955), and a racing suit from 1971’s Le Mans. These are just some of the high-value collectibles that you can find on the market today, and there are many more.
If you have precious collectibles, you should consider getting them insured. With this protection, you can ensure that you will not lose your investment if they are stolen or destroyed. Visit Collectibles Insurance Services to learn more about insuring your collectibles properly.
Sources
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/08/22/rare-superman-book-draws-record-2-2-million-bid-the-long-journey-of-a-record-setting-comic
https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/online-antiques-collectibles-sales-united-states
https://moneyversed.com/worlds-most-expensive-collectibles/?bdk=a*undefined&ch=bt
https://blog.cheapism.com/most-expensive-collectibles/#slide=3
https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/antiques/g3429/valuable-antiques
Collectors Corner
John Belott’s love of jukeboxes dates back to the year 1968—when he was just eight years old. He and his twin brother, Joseph, were born and raised in Telford, Pennsylvania. As far back as he can remember, his father would take them fishing on Saturdays. During those fishing trips, they would go to the bar and order burgers and French fries. While eating his cheeseburger, John would notice the jukebox standing in the corner of the bar. He would ask, “Daddy, can I have a quarter?” His father would reach into his pocket and give him some change to play music.
John was absolutely in awe of that jukebox. All the light, all the glass, and all the chrome—“it just dazzled me,” John shares. A quarter gave you three plays, and the song that he always selected was called, “Rose Garden” by Lynn Anderson. Says John, “Every time I would go into a diner or a bar, I would look for that song. That was the song that wanted me to want jukeboxes.”
John would tell his mother, “Someday, I’m going to have my own jukeboxes when I get older.” Today, he’s the proud owner of a 1952 Seeburg and a 1954 Seeburg. These two Seeburgs have been restored to grade one, which means they’ve been completely torn apart. Everything has been re-chromed, repainted, and refinished. The speakers have been reconed to sound brand new.
The crown jewel of his collection is a 1948 Wurlitzer 1100 that’s currently being restored. This is, John explains, “the holy grail of all jukeboxes. It’s the prettiest, in my opinion, of all jukeboxes ever made.” John plans to commemorate his late wife, Heather, by placing her wedding ring inside of this jukebox.
The restoration process for each jukebox is completed by a man in Roseville, Illinois named Robert Johnson. Robert has been doing professional restoration for around 25 years, and as John puts it, “He is the best in the business!” John met Robert in 2008 at the biggest jukebox show in the country, hosted at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois.
At the time, John could barely contain his excitement about the show—he was in “jukebox heaven!” They had 1950s jukeboxes, slot machines, and pinball machines—“coin-op” machines. After stopping by Robert’s booth, John took his business card and ended up buying the 1952 Seeburg from him later that year. To explain why this particular jukebox is so special, John recalls the TV show Happy Days. “Arthur Fonzarelli would go into Arnold’s Hamburger Shop and take his fist and punch the jukebox and it would start playing.” The machine that was in Happy Days is the same model number that he bought from Robert Johnson.
When not in play, these jukeboxes are stored in custom covers that were handmade by a seamstress. Because of the great care that is put into restoring and protecting this collection, they look brand new—just like they did in the 1950s. Once a jukebox has been restored, it is even better than it was on the day it was built.
Besides his jukeboxes, John collects an assortment of 1950’s memorabilia, such as an ice cream scoop, a 1948 Seeburg large teardrop speaker, small diecast cars, records, and more. Of the decade he says, “Everything in the 1950s was fabulous! I often told my mom that I was born way too late. If I were born in the 50s, I would’ve had one heck of a time.”
When the holidays approach, many parents are frantic to get their hands on the hottest toys of the season before they are all gone, in an effort to make their child’s experience happy and memorable. But others have a different goal in mind when seeking to snatch up this holiday season’s popular offerings: collectible value.
That’s because many hot holiday toys of the past have become some of the biggest and most valuable collectible toys in the years to come. It’s no secret that the old line of Star Wars action figures is highly collectible, as are many other action figures.
Some of the hard-to-find Beanie Babies also command respectable value, and various discontinued American Girl dolls are also quite valuable. Furbys, the Nintendo Game Boy, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Teddy Ruxpin are also hot collectibles. And who would have thought that the unwholesome Garbage Pail Kids cards would be fetching thousands of dollars today?
Top 2019 Holiday Toys
Will any of the holiday toys of 2019 also become collectibles in the future? Some of the toys on the hot list for boys and girls this year include Blume Dolls, Linkimals, Artie 3000 The Coding Robot, Hatching Toothless, Hatchimals, and SNAPSTAR Dolls. Among other toys attracting attention are Nintendo Switch, Baby Shark, JoJo Siwa, Funko Pop, and Paw Patrol. Will any of these end up being collectible, and how can you tell?
What Makes a Toy Collectible?
A toy that is fetching high prices soon after it is released is not necessarily a collectible—it is simply generating prices to coincide with the high demand. However, a toy that becomes rare over time, but is still in high demand, becomes collectible. A toy can become collectible for quite a few reasons—people covet them because they invoke memories of childhood or feelings of nostalgia. Or sometimes, they become collectible simply because they are hard to find, and it becomes a bragging right to have one.
On a side note, it is probably a good idea not to fall for the hype of toys marketed as collectible right from the start—these rarely retain any value after the initial excitement of the release dies down.
What to Get This Holiday Shopping Season?
Wondering which toys to get this holiday season to add to your collectibles? If you’re an experienced collector, you may already have a good idea of which 2019 toys are likely to increase in value in the future. Maybe it’s a line of action figures that aren’t even on the hot list. Regardless of what you’ve got your eye on, you likely also know the importance of keeping any new toys, as well as toys already in your collection, in good condition.
After all, the toy isn’t likely to retain its value if it’s been beat up, worn, moldy, or in shoddy condition after being tossed in a corner of the attic for 10 years. (All those busted and discarded toys is what makes the existing ones so collectible anyway!)
But even when you take all precautions to keep your toys, action figures, and other collectibles in good condition and storage, accidents still occur. Fires, floods, or other incidents can unfortunately reduce your valuable collection to worthless remnants. That’s why so many collectors utilize Collectibles Insurance Services to provide coverage for their rare treasures.
For peace of mind this holiday season, don’t let the Grinch find a way to ruin your holidays—or your collection. Get proper insurance coverage for your toys, action figures, comic books, stamps, knife and gun collections, and many other collectibles, by contacting Collectibles Insurance Services for a free quote.
References
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/childrens-products/toy-reviews/g3302/most-valuable-toys-from-childhood/?slide=22
https://toys4minds.com
Nowadays, lots of movies are coming out that are based on comic books. We may think we have a deep understanding of the stories and the characters in these and other comics. Compared to Bob Bretall, though, we don’t.
Bretall is no ordinary comic book collector. He holds the Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Comic Book Collection (verified by Guinness in 2016), with a whopping 101,822 unique comics (no duplicates). His collection now tops 105,000, and is growing every month.
Bretall started collecting comic books at the ripe age of 8 years old in Southern California. Once he started, he instantly jumped into it, collecting new comics every month. He has two older brothers, so comic books such as Richie Rich and Uncle Scrooge were a part of his childhood. However, it wasn’t until he laid his hands on one comic book that his passion was ignited.
Which one was it? The Amazing Spider-Man #88, by Stan Lee and John Romita, Sr., was his first purchase. In fact, that issue is still his favorite comic to this day. As an 8-year old, he flipped through that comic countless times and cut out lots of pictures, demolishing that original issue. Fortunately, he later bought a replacement copy and even had it autographed by Lee and Romita, Sr.
That was in July of 1970, and Bretall has been buying comics every month since. While he still lives in southern California, he has traveled the world collecting comics. He has bought comics in such far-off countries as China, the Netherlands, Germany, Korea, and Japan.
Interestingly, Bretall does not collect comic booksas a money-making venture. .He cherishes the plotlines and the characters and finds the value of his collection is in the stories themselves. He does plan on leaving his entire collection to his children for their inheritance, and he hopes they’ll “keep at least a few of them as a remembrance” of him.
Bretall’s favorite comic character remains Spider-Man to this day. He credits the character for inspiring his collecting passion. Not all of his comics are superhero stories, though. His favorite current comic book changes every few months these days, but is rarely a super-hero comic. He gravitates to genres like crime, sci-fi, and fantasy, with many coming from Image Comics, his current favorite publisher from whom he gets about 40 titles per month.
All of his comics are inputted into ComicBase, database software that stores every title in his collection. This has come in handy, as the folks at Guinness would randomly ask him to verify that he owned certain titles. He would punch in a few search terms and – poof! – he would know in which of his more than 400 alphabetized boxes to search for that comic.
The majority of his comic book collection is stored in his garage. He does, however, have an entire room in his house dedicated to displaying his collection: his “comic room.”
Besides comic books, there are vast amounts of other memorabilia in this room, such as Marvel statues and busts. Bretall has many other comic-related items in his possession, including original comic book art, sketches, and toys. He is still actively collecting comics to the tune of more than 100 new and older comics per month. One thing is certain. Spider-Man may have been bitten by a radioactive spider, but Bob Bretall has been bitten by the comic-book collecting bug.
For more details, including pictures, about Bob Bretall and his amazing comic collection, check out his site: https://comicspectrum.com/guinness-record
Now that the holiday season is upon us, many adults will be looking back fondly on childhood memories of model trains running under the Christmas tree. Of course, there is no need for these memories to be restricted to childhood, as many adults continue their passion for train collecting throughout their lives.
Collectors of trains are in for a treat this winter as large and small train-oriented events take place around the country. These events have a lot to offer to train collectors who want to see some of the most iconic models in an immersive seasonal environment. You may find local train events in your area by visiting Nextdoor.com. Here are a couple of very popular train shows you might want to consider visiting.
Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden
This winter, model trains will take center stage at the New York Botanical Garden. From November 23 to January 26, G-scale locomotives are set to trundle between miniature replicas of New York’s most celebrated landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, and the Brooklyn Bridge. All landmarks are made from natural materials that capture the spirit of the season, including cinnamon sticks, acorns, lotus pods, and birch bark. This year, collectors can enjoy watching locomotives pass famous Central Park features, including the Dairy and Belvedere Castle. Designer Paul Busse has created this magical landscape to delight train lovers and New York families alike. Find the exhibition in a special immersive space next to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
Holiday Garden Railway Display at the Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia
This event has been a holiday favorite at the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum since 1998. The Morris Arboretum is dedicated to research, teaching and outreach programs to nurture the earth’s forests, fields and landscapes. But, in the holiday season, the Garden Railway Display is the most popular event. There is a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels to accommodate fifteen different rail lines and two cable cars. Set in the lovely winter garden of the Morris Arboretum, the model train tracks run past decorated buildings and through beautiful landscapes. The Garden Railway Display is open the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve. Click here for ticket information.
Keeping Your Train Collection Safe
As any collector knows, keeping cherished collectibles safe is a high priority. Model trains can be extremely valuable, both in financial terms and for their emotional value. To protect your investment in model train collectibles, it is vitally important to have adequate insurance.
Collectors must ensure that they choose an insurance product that is suitable for covering this kind of item. Homeowners insurance does not always provide coverage for a collection of valuable model trains. It is much better to work with a specialist collectibles insurance agency such as Collectibles Insurance Services. Before you start to plan your holiday train show schedule, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance Services today to make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your collection.
Sources
https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show
https://www.morrisarboretum.org/gardens_railway.shtml
Ever since he was just a boy, Jason Haupt has been collecting beer cans. Though he grew up in South Florida, his parents are originally from England. His father was an airline employee, which meant annual trips to the “homeland” to visit friends and family. Jason remembers an informal rule of drinking in England—if you stood taller than the bar, you could order a drink. He grew taller than that bar at age 12 and became mesmerized by the graphics on the different beer cans. His collection had begun.
Jason’s collection represents not only his childhood but a connection to his familial roots in England. He began transporting the cans home from England—one or two, then three or four, then 12 at a time – increasing his collection quickly over the years.
Jason quickly realized that he needed to preserve the top of the beer can. His dad and his friends would play soccer, and Jason would drain the beer from the cans for them using an old-fashioned can opener Jason would get to keep the cans.
Back in Florida, Jason and his dad would go to flea markets. Dad would look for tools, and Jason would look for beer cans. His collection began to balance more between foreign and domestic cans.
In 1992, after college, Jason had been living in North Carolina. A Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Andrew, scored a direct hit on Jason’s parents’ home. His parents sought refuge from the storm in Jason’s bedroom, the center of the house. The storm destroyed half of the cinderblock home, but not Jason’s room, nor his collection. In fact, not one can rattled off the shelf. Jason had two immediate questions after the storm passed by: “Are you guys okay?” and “How’s my collection?” Soon after Hurricane Andrew, Jason discovered Collectibles Insurance Services. He has been a customer ever since.
Jason’s favorite can in his collection is a Playmate can from the Sunshine Brewing Company in Reading, Pennsylvania. Sunshine’s Playmate beer was quickly accused of trademark violation by Playboy, and the brewing company had to cease production. Jason acquired one of the two variants of the Playmate can, which offered a unique zip top-pull tab. It is in pristine condition and is valued at around $1,500.
His total collection numbers about 775 cans and is valued at $45,000. His renovated attic – his “man cave”—is where he displays the cans alphabetically.
Some of his most unique cans include: a Prince Charles and Lady Diana wedding beer can; James Bond 007 cans (worth between $700-$1,000 each); a Pikes Peak flat top can (his most valuable, worth $2,000); a Burger sparkling ale; and Old India pale ale cone tops.
Jason now looks for cans graded A1+ or better. Also, he acquires cans that maintain the top in place for better valuation. He refers to two main publications to determine his beer can’s value: Beer Cans Unlimited (formerly the Beer Can Collector’s Bible) and the United States Beer Can Books.
Jason took a brief hiatus from collecting after college but rediscovered his passion in the mid-to-late 2000s. He is selling many of his foreign cans to focus on his domestic collection.
When he was 14 or 15 years old his collection peaked at a whopping 10,000 cans. The Miami Herald even wrote an article about him, as he had the largest collection in South Florida.
One thing is for sure. Jason’s knack for finding new additions to his beer can collection is, well, uncanny.
Scott Wiener didn’t plan on amassing the world’s largest collection of pizza boxes. But nine years ago, he came across a stack of boxes unlike any other. Used to seeing a generic phrase paired with a simple drawing, this explosively colorful design took him by surprise. The box top presented an image of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy. Even more intriguing was the side of the box, which boasted the odd claim “Limited Edition Tour of Italy Series.” Scott was intrigued.
With this new light shed on an otherwise disposable genre of art, Scott started his collection. With the launch of his company, Scott’s Pizza Tours, visits to pizzerias were a part of his daily life. Friends, family and tour guests took to his interest and helped grow the collection. Before he knew it, he had collected enough boxes to score a Guinness World Record. Scott also wrote a book called Viva La Pizza! The Art of the Pizza Box (Melville House, 2013). The book and collection were featured on the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, CBS Sunday Morning, and dozens of other outlets.
Soon after, emails started flowing in from companies wanting to display the collection at their media events.
Why the hype?
Pizza boxes were designed to be thrown in the garbage. Saving and presenting them in an artistic context suddenly made them visible in a way not yet seen before. It became clear that something as simple as a pizza box resonates with people even if they aren’t into art. Interested in celebrities, athletes or politicians? There’s a box for you. As Scott says, “Right now, they’re just funny pizza boxes. In a few years, they’ll be artifacts.”
As the Fall weather approaches, many Americans look forward to the beginning of hunting season. It’s an activity that can truly provide a challenge—a trek through nature, a test of skill against a known objective, and the prize of providing sustenance for you and your family.
The Internet is full of excellent hunting resources and stories, so we’ve compiled a few of our favorites to help get you excited and prepared.
State-by-State Hunting Seasons
Not all game is created equal, and neither are their legal hunting seasons. Luckily, Hunting Season HQ has a handy interactive map of America. Click your state to see the most relevant hunting dates, organized by game. All 50 states are included. By exploring the site, we learned that there’s avid hunting opportunity in Hawaii (feral pigs, goats, and sheep mostly)!
The site also has suggestions for the latest and greatest hunting gadgets and gear.
Game Bucket List
Outdoor Life created an informative article detailing its top ten game animals that every North American hunter should harvest. It’s long and filled with tons of high quality photos, so if you have the time, definitely check it out. It is very detailed in terms of legal requirements, tips, and firearm recommendations. In summary, and in no particular order, these were the picks:
Mountain Goat: Confined to western states or Canada, they present a big hiking challenge and often require a knowledgeable guide. The area will be remote, the undertaking intense.
Elk: Since elk are so big, many hunters prefer to take a horse team into the wilderness to assist with range and carrying capacity.
Plains Pronghorn: These guys are some of the fastest animals alive.
Quail: The article challenges the hunter to score the “quail trifecta”— harvesting three types of quail (Scaled, Harlequin, Montezuma).
Late Season Pheasant: Tricky targets and chilly winter conditions are the hallmark of this hunt. A challenge indeed!
Mountain Moose: You’ll have to trek to Alaska and absolutely hire a guide, but the moose meat is well worth it.
Dall Sheep: Another Alaskan adventure. More hiking and ranged hunting than the moose. Still thrilling and highly recommended.
Musk Ox: This one ranges outside of America, to the tundras of Northern Canada. Less about the hunting challenge, and more about the incredible wilderness vistas.
Bird Challenge: In a specific area in Idaho, stars (or birds) align to make it possible to nab up to six species in one trip (partridge, quail, grouse).
Osceola Turkey: a rare, subtropical hunt in Florida against some pretty tricky birds.
Finding the Best Hunting Towns
According to RealTree.com, prime hunting towns have a few advantages. Number one (obviously) is a wide variety of game. Two: Accessible public hunting land, preferably within an hour’s drive. Three: relevant accommodations and facilities, such as a meat processor and affordable hotels. Finally: tourist appeal. If you’re going to make the trip out, some sights to see for downtime is a big bonus.
Here are five towns that scored high on this list of criteria. Have a look at the full article to learn more about the game, surrounding area, and recreation opportunities in each.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico (map)
- Crosset, Arkansas (map)
- Baker City, Oregon (map)
- St. Joseph, Missouri (map)
- Pittsfield, Illinois (map)
Peace of Mind On and Off the Trails
Hunting safely and securely are the most important aspects of all, and many resources and topics can be found at The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) – USA. Jeff Cooper, modern firearms training expert, established the Four Rules for Firearms Safety more than fifty years ago:
- All guns are always loaded.
- Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
- Identify your target, and what is behind it.
Protecting yourself and others on the trail is paramount, but your gear and firearms also need protection year-round. Homeowners insurance often does not cover items like guns or knives, so be sure to research and understand what options are out there for insuring your items. Contact Collectibles Insurance Services for a free quote.
Happy (and safe) hunting!
Kim Stellhorn was practically raised in a fire station. His grandfather was a volunteer fireman in Illinois. Much of Kim’s childhood was spent with his grandfather taking him on fire truck rides, going to the station, and attending events at the firehouse. His lifelong passion for collecting fire memorabilia started when he was a young man, and his collection has continued to flourish ever since.
In 1971, at the age of 15, Kim himself became a volunteer fireman after his family’s move to Texas. His collecting experience began there four years later, when he started collecting fire patches that were sewn onto uniforms. Many of these patches were acquired through the mail, years before the Internet. By the early 1980’s, Kim was a full-fledged collector, expanding beyond patches and collecting other items, such as helmets, vintage photographs, toy fire trucks, and much more.
Many of the fire-related items in Kim’s collection were given to him, either through his own firefighting connections, his grandfather and family, or friends. As he describes these items, he says, “I have such a wide range of items, each with their own story.” One such story involves his sister and brother-in-law, who were missionaries in Russia in the early-1990’s. Kim’s sister tried to take some photographs of a Russian fire department, to share with her brother, but she forgot to load the film. However, the Russian firemen became suspicious of an American taking pictures of their department because this was just after the end of the Soviet Union. To alleviate their concerns, Kim asked his sister what the department needed as he would try to donate some items. The department did not have money to buy anything and there was very little production of fire equipment, or anything else at that time. So, Kim sent some items from his collection: gloves, hood, magazines, and a patch. The mayor and the fire chief in this small town in Russia were so excited that someone in America would share something with them, they decided to have an elaborate celebration, replete with the entire fleet of local fire trucks and demonstrations of their indoor and outdoor equipment. They also reciprocated by giving Kim’s sister a Russian fire helmet, hood, gloves, a leather belt with a fire axe, a winning competition ribbon, and a cloth calendar, which all became part of Kim’s collection.
Kim’s collection includes three pieces from as far back as the 1920’s and 1930’s. These include a flood light from a truck in his grandfather’s fire department, an attic ladder, and a bell.
The value of his collection, according to Kim, is “priceless.” He describes nearly every piece he has as “one-of-a-kind,” with great sentimental value – much more than monetary. About three-fourths of his collection are unique pieces that family and friends have given him, as well as items he acquired himself as a firefighter. He has picked up some of his items, such as some of his toy fire trucks, at local garage sales.
Overall, Kim has around 1,000 pieces in his collection – about 400 patches, 30 helmets (some from Austria, Belgium, Russia, and France), as well as other items including badges, belt buckles, commemorative pocket knives, beer steins, and multiple photographs. He also has a significant number of toy fire trucks, including about a dozen Russian trucks that actually have the Soviet Union flag on the side – from before its dissolution in 1991. Other types of trucks he has are Franklin Mint collector fire trucks, Tonka trucks, and Matchbox special edition trucks.
Kim singles out a particularly interesting item in his collection: hand-drawn membership drive posters for his original volunteer fire department (Arcadia Volunteer Fire Department, in Texas). He was given these posters by the artist herself. They are 11” x 17”, and were placed in businesses in 1961 to encourage people to join the Arcadia Fire Department. Kim had them framed, and they now hang in his office.
In addition, Kim’s collection expands to other artwork and books. He has over a dozen numbered collectible Christian firefighter prints by artist, Jim Davis, and autographed books by firefighters and authors, “Red” Adair, Dennis Smith, and Dave Houseal.
His collection is stored in a devoted space, called his “Fire Room.” As Kim points out, there is not much wall space left in the Fire Room!
Kim’s fire collectibles, spanning almost 40 years, includes some truly remarkable pieces. His passion for collecting is not getting extinguished anytime soon!
In 1969, Sesame Street debuted with a bold mission. Unlike many children’s TV shows of the era, Sesame Street put education at its core [1]. While other programs often did have an educational component, Sesame Street was constructed around a learning curriculum designed by experts in the field.
And wouldn’t you know it, it worked. Key to the show’s success are Jim Henson’s loveable muppets. They appealed to young children and parents alike, and soon became nationally recognized and adored.
Fifty years later, the United States Postal Service has released a Forever 55¢ Sesame Street Stamp Collection [2] in honor of the show’s half-century anniversary. The set features sixteen muppets from the total cast, which numbers over 3,100 across various publications.
The Collectors Stamp Cast
1. Big Bird
Standing over eight feet tall with bright yellow feathers, Big Bird is one of the originals from ’69, and quite possibly the most iconic muppet there is. The mystery of Big Bird’s species remains a playful joke to this day.
2. Ernie
One-half of Sesame Street’s famous duo, Ernie’s the loveable goofball that balances out his roommate and best friend’s more straight-laced attitudes. Ernie also arrived in Episode 1 of Sesame Street.
3. Bert
A list like this might be the only time you experience Bert without Ernie. A serious-minded fellow with a penchant for collectables (he’s into paper clips and bottle caps), Bert is also president of the National Association of W Lovers [3].
4. Cookie Monster
Do not let Cookie Monster near your collectibles. He will eat them all. Known for his wacky appetite and stunted speech, Cookie Monster has been making kids giggle since 1969.
5. Rosita
A relatively new muppet, Rosita debuted in 1991. She speaks English and Spanish, plays guitar, and can (sort of) fly. Rosita often presents the Spanish Word of the Day on Sesame Street.
6. Count von Count
One, two, three, four, five, six! Six is Count’s number on this list, ah ah ah ah! Ahem. Count is a Sesame Street staple, appearing first in 1972. He’s been keeping track of things ever since.
7. Oscar the Grouch
Everybody’s favorite trash can-dwelling curmudgeon is also a cast original from 1969. According to lore online [4], he is named after a rude server from Oscar’s Tavern in New York.
8. Abby Cadabby
A 2006 addition, little Abby is a fairy, about three or four years old. Her parents are divorced and her mom remarried, introducing stepfather and stepbrother dynamics to the show.
9. Herry Monster
Perhaps of a similar species to Cookie Monster, Herry is also a furry blue beast. He’s an early arrival to the series, debuting in 1970. He runs the barber shop in Sesame Street.
10. Julia
Developed by a mother with an autistic child, Julia arrived on Sesame Street in 2017 after positive reception to 2015’s Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children [5].
11. Guy Smiley
He’s Sesame Street’s resident game show host, and boy is he ever excited about it. Even after 50 years of being on the cast, Guy brings nothing but energy to every interaction.
12. Mr. Snuffleupagus
Is he even real? From 1971 to 1985, the show maintained a running gag where it seemed only children and other muppets could see Mr. Snuffleupagus.
13. Elmo
Elmo’s high-pitched voice wasn’t always what it was. It was improvised by actor Kevin Clash after another actor, frustrated with the role, tossed him the puppet. In that moment, a star was born.
14. Telly
His full name is Television Monster, and he came onto the scene in 1979 with a disturbing obsession of watching TV like a zombie. Producers quickly backed off the idea, due to being a poor example for children.
15. Grover
A classic muppet. His likeness was seen on TV even before Sesame Street aired, on a 1967 Christmas Eve episode of The Ed Sullivan Show.
16. Zoe
Zoe is a ballet-loving, tutu-sporting three-year old who came on cast in 1993. At the time, the roster was predominantly male and showrunners wanted to create more opportunities for little girls to relate.
A Common History
As Sesame Street turns 50, so are we in our 50s! Collectibles Insurance Services has been around since 1966. The release of this Forever 55¢ collection has a special place in our hearts, as our founder was an avid stamp collector.
Collectible memorabilia are precious things, and it’s important to protect them beyond a vacuum seal! Homeowners insurance often does not cover items like stamps or collectibles, so be sure to research and understand what options are out there for insuring your items.
For more information about Stamp Collecting visit the American Philatelic Society at https://stamps.org.
References
[1] https://www.sesameworkshop.org/who-we-are/our-history
[2] https://www.sesameworkshop.org/who-we-are/our-history
[3] https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/The_National_Association_of_%22W%22_Lovers
[4] https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Oscar_the_Grouch
[5] https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Sesame_Street_and_Autism:_See_Amazing_in_All_Children