Collectible Barbie Dolls

 
Barbie is a best-selling fashion doll launched in 1959. The doll is produced by Mattel, Inc., and is a major source of revenue for the company. The American businesswoman Ruth Handler (1916-2002) is regarded as the creator of Barbie, and the doll’s design was inspired by a German doll called Bild Lilli.
Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for nearly fifty years, and has been the subject of numerous controversies and lawsuits, often involving parody of the doll and her lifestyle.
Collecting:
Mattel estimates that there are well over 100,000 avid Barbie collectors. Ninety percent are women, at an average age of 40, purchasing more than twenty Barbie dolls each year. Forty-five percent of them spend upwards of $1000 a year.
Vintage Barbie dolls from the early years are the most valuable at auction, and while the original Barbie was sold for $3.00 in 1959, a mint boxed Barbie from 1959 sold for $3552.50 on eBay in October 2004. On September 26, 2006, a Barbie doll set a world record at auction of ?9,000 sterling (US $17,000) at Christie’s in London. The doll was a Barbie in Midnight Red from 1965 and was part of a private collection of 4,000 Barbie dolls being sold by two Dutch women, Ietje Raebel and her daughter Marina
In recent years Mattel has sold a wide range of Barbie dolls aimed specifically at collectors, including porcelain versions and depictions of Barbie as a range of characters from television series such as The Munsters and Star Trek There are also collector’s edition dolls depicting Barbie dolls with a range of different ethnic identities. In 2004 Mattel introduced the Color Tier system for its collector’s edition Barbie dolls, ranging through pink, silver, gold and platinum depending on how many of the dolls are produced.
collectible barbie dolls , retro barbie , vintage mattel dolls at www.vintagebarbieandken.com

An Introduction To Stamp Collection

Stamp collecting for many people is a favorite hobby. Something that they enjoy doing and sharing with their friends and stamp collectors alike.
For some collectors, stamp collecting is a serious business. It has been estimated that nearly 20 million Americans collect stamps! They can spend as much as over $600 annually on this activity. While others, especially those who are just starting out can spend as little as $3 to kick start their new hobby.
Where to get stamps
1. Stamp collectors can get their stamps from stamp dealers.
2. They can also get them from their local post office
3. Going to stamp show is another way to get stamps. The great thing
about this is that these events are specifically organized for stamp collectors.  
4. Stamps are abundant in hobby shops. This is where individuals can get
a load of stamps for a very cheap price.
5. There is always Ebay of course, for those who want one of a kind stamps. Ebay offer stamps from individuals from all over the world that you will not find at your local stamp shops.
There is no exact rules when it comes to collecting stamps. Most individuals start off by collecting stamps that they like, not focusing on a specific theme, country, or era.
Then afterwards, once they have built up a collection and have gone to a few stamp show, and have traded stamps with other stamp collectors; they start to gain  more experience and knowledge about stamp. They also begin to learn the ins and outs of stamp collecting. This is the time they can decide on how to construct their stamp collection. Since literally there are thousands and thousands of stamps that can be gotten, that narrowing down one’s choices becomes a necessity.
Handle with care
Some collectors prefer collecting stamps that have are on envelopes. These are less likely to get damaged since the additional paper makes the stamps more sturdy. The important thing when cutting them out is to not over-cut and damage the stamps.
Some prefer to take out the stamps off the paper by soaking them in water to make pealing it off a lot easier. The problem with this is that there’s always the danger of the colors running off the stamp.  Remember that stamps that are in good condition are more valuable than stamps that are in poor condition.
Stamp collecting is a great hobby that many people are devoted to. The best way to  get started on this hobby is for individuals to visit their local hobby shop to get their first roll of stamps!

Building the Ultimate Toy Train Collection

Toy train and model railroad enthusiasts across the world are not shy about showing off their collections. In fact, a great deal of time goes into building their ultimate toy train collection and layouts. Serious collectors know how much time and energy goes into their creations. Weather you are a new collector, or someone who has been collecting toy trains for many years, the same goals are shared when it comes to both train layouts and design.
The joy each train collector experiences when building their display is like no other. Train collections usually feature vintage trains manufactured by some of the best in the industry, such as Lionel, Marklin, Fleischmann, and Rivarossi. The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing train layouts, ranging from O Scale and HO Scale creations, to N Scale and G Scale creations.
Each model train enthusiast has their individual preference when it comes to collecting various train sets, train cars, and locomotives. Year after year collectors from across the world gather at train shows, train expos, and other train meets. The chances of discovering rare and classic model train collections are quite good when attending these events, so these events are something collectors thoroughly enjoy and look forward to.
The average person would not know the core differences in each train design, but the serious train collectors generally know what to look for. Many years of experience will only help enthusiasts obtain more and more useful knowledge. The knowledge which is obtained will usually have a clear effect on how their train layouts are built and designed.
When building and assembling a train layout, there are a series of steps and preparations that most builders follow. These may include choosing the train track layout, choosing the specific type of train gauge to use, and choosing the type of method in which the track will be secured. Builders will then decide what type of models and landscaping fit best with the type of train layout being built. Many common types of scenery will include mountains, bridges, as well as an assortment of towns, cities, and villages.
It’s quite amazing how unique and creative many train layouts turn out once all the hard work is completed. And some of the best train collectors and train layout designers will often explain that their layouts are never complete, simply because they continue to modify and build additions to each and every single one of their creations. When a collectors’ trains are on display and showcased for all to see, one of the biggest rewards he or she can receive is a simple smile from their audience taking interest in the model train layout shown before them.

Vintage Movie Posters: A Trip Back to Better Times

Vintage movie posters  can take you back to the golden days of movies. Suddenly you’re in the vestibule of an old theater… Smell the fresh popcorn – not the kind that comes already popped in giant plastic bags, like you get now… 

There is a large niche market for original movie posters in the country today. Especially in these trying times, wouldn’t you like to take a walk on memory lane, back to the days of the silver screen, by displaying authentic movie memorabilia in your office or home? 

Imagine your walls tastefully decorated with real vintage movie posters: You could spend your quiet evenings with friends while enjoying posters featuring Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh and others from the golden era of films. Or perhaps you’d prefer Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, dancing gracefully across the walls of your office. 

These collectibles are beyond just “rare”, they’re original movie posters that are a taste of a simpler time. They also tell visitors to your home or office that you appreciate true art, whether it be anything from movie memorabilia to horror movie posters. 

Plenty of people display copies of these original movie posters, but it’s not the same as having the originals gracing your walls. And with all the classic movies that have been made, like The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca, you’ll never find a better type of art! 

You can decorate your walls with anything that suits your taste. Why not decorate them with historical movie memorabilia? They will add so much enjoyment to your office or den, and they’re virtually recession-proof!

Kevin Conway
Conway’s Vintage Treasures
http://www.cvtreasures.com

How to get Free Scrap Metal Forever in Under 5 Minutes

As a long term scrapper, I under stand that being a scrap metal removal service requires a lot of “searching”.  Always asking yourself the question, where can I find some free scrap metal?  There’s a million places in the world where a scrapper can find some free metal, but what if there was a place you could get free scrap metal FOREVER.

The answer is the new Scrap Metal Forum which is a place where scrap metal removal services post their services for free, and people who are in need of this service can find them.   There couldn’t be an easier way to get free scrap metal than this.

This forum is brand new and was recently launched on July 4, 2010.  It’s a one of a kind resource, their slogan reads “A place for people who want scrap metal, and people who don’t”.  Pretty straight forward if you ask me, being a life long scrapper this is one of the best resources I’ve come across in decades.

This forum is very simple and easy to use.  It’s seperated into various categories including, scrap metal removal services, scrap metal offered and more.  Each of these forum categories is divided up each of the 50 states for localized service offerings.

Not only can you let more potential customers know you’re available to haul away junk metal, but it’s completely free to sign up and post.  This is certainly a service anybody in the metal recycling business could benefit from, and in my opinion should be worth a hefty price.

Home owners and business owners scour this website looking for this type of service as it’s not an easy service to find.  Not only that, but your posting stays forever, meaning you can get scrap metal free for life!

The more scrap metal services posted in various categories, the more popular this forum will become which will mean more free scrap for you.

The sign up is easy, and is the best free investment a scrap metal removal guy can make.  You post once, and get free metal forever.