Barbara's Collectibles Blog

I was pretty impressed with the current Fitz and Floyd sale now on their web site. Lots of decorative gift ware, cookie jars for 70% off retail price, nativity sets, on and on. I've ordered a few holiday presents and since I spent slightly over $100. I got an additional 15% off the already low prices.

• Fitz and Floyd Web Site
• Fitz and Floyd Profile

Collectors know Toy R Us stores are not just for kids, except in the case of the three-story ferris wheel at the Times Square store.

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As with most collections -- prices can range from just a few bucks for paper items such as postcards to thousands of dollars for antique presidential items. Serious political collectors usually collect for an investment, but you can still collect on a budget and have fun with political and presidential memorabilia.

Prices and Values of Political Memorabilia
Collecting Campaign Pins
^{(c)Barb Crews}

Want to retire on the proceeds from your collection? Start sticking twenty dollar bills inside the cookie jars now. That way it will be a sure thing that you'll get money out of the jars in the years to come.

Although I wrote this article with cookie jar collectors in mind, it can fit almost any collection. One mistake that really comes back to haunt collectors is values -- many expect everything to go up in value and always to be worth more than they paid. Sorry folks, it doesn't happen all the time. Yes some things go up in value, but lately it seems to be the exception not the rule and it doesn't happen very often with newer pieces unless they are very limited and very sought after.

• Ten Mistakes Made by Cookie Jar Collectors
• Top Ten Cookie Jar Resources

^{(c)Barb Crews}

It was only three years ago that Frankoma Pottery was purchased by the Merrymans, this past week the company has another new owner - Joe Ragosta from Tulsa. As reported by the Tulsa World, Ragosta said "I've always been a collector of antiques, and I recognize a great name when I see one."

It's also been reported that the factory will become an Oklahoma Visitors Center. Between that designation and new management, here's hoping that this third (non-family) owner will become the charm!

• Learn More About Frankoma
• New Owner and New Visions
• Frankoma Prices
• Pictures and Prices

What did this 1 9/16" marble sell for? $6000, $9000 or $13,000?

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You're a collector, you know what happens when someone gets hot by winning an award, prize or even passes on. Their stuff skyrockets on eBay. Everyone wants it and of course the price reflects the new-found passion. The question is -- what will that memorabilia sell for a few months from now or even two-three years down the road? But when an athlete wins eight gold medals in one Olympic and more Olympic medals than anyone else, no one can even guess what's going to happen years from now with autographs, memorabilia and pictures.

Of course eBay has loads of Phelps stuff right now from t-shirts to autographs. He's young, personable and a winner, so only time will tell if he becomes even more popular and more sought after in the collecting field. I just know right now - "Phelps Phans" are paying crazy prices.

If you've become a Phelps Phan, do your homework before buying autographed items. Anyone can sign the Phelps name, just make sure there is authentication behind the signature. Terms like pre-printed autograph, signed reprint are just confusing to would-be collectors -- know what you are buying!

^{(c)Al Bello/Getty Images}

Recent sold prices include:

• Phelps Upper Deck Signature Supremacy signed promotional card 3/10 -- $2550.
• Phelps Fan Game cards - $1500.
• Phelps "possibly used" Swimming Cap - $775.
• Phelps signed Speedo - $566.
• Phelps photograph with "preprinted autograph" - $26.88
• Phelps Autographed 2005 Program - $124.50
• Phelps Autographed 2004 Sports Illustrated - $510.

Elvis' popularity has never decreased and more than 30 years after his death, his image is more alive today than ever. Say the name Elvis and it won't matter where in the world you are or in what age group of people, everyone will know who you are talking about.

Elvis fan? This fun quiz is might be a bit easy, but give it a try anyway. No prizes or recognition, just the personal satisfaction that you can do it! For an added twist, keep track of the monies lost or won as the questions are answered.

• How well do you know your Elvis trivia?

^{Image Courtesy of Bill/Loretta Hamburg, Happy Memories}

With as popular an icon as Elvis -- anything that can be, will be emblazoned with his image or name and put up for sale. Anything to make a buck. . . .

Poking around the Internet found these different Elvis items, some are vintage, some are new -- and a lot are just down right strange!

• Unusual Collectibles
• More on Collecting Elvis

The $100,000.+ Comic Strip

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