Collectibles -> Transportation -> Motorcycles-> Harley Davidson

The Harley Davidson motorcycle has become an integral part of Americana and the pop culture of this country. Once the favorite bike of outlaws and renegades, Harley Davidson collectibles have gone mainstream and they are more popular than ever. There are literally hundreds of different Harley Davidson collectibles out there, and sometimes it can be hard to know where the real value is. Here’s an easy guide to finding the best Harley Davidson collectibles.

Motorcycles

By far, the most valuable and sought after Harley Davidson collectible is the motorcycle that bears its name. Whether it’s a chopper, or a regular edition bike, collectors can’t get enough of them and many of these bikes will sell for six figures at auction or at private sales. The older the bike the better, and it’s always nice to find one in good condition. However, some of the fun comes from restoration, so don’t miss a great opportunity if you come across a bike that needs a little repair.

Lighters and Pocket Knives

The next most popular and sometimes valuable Harley Davidson collectible are pocket knives and lighters. For lighters, look for a classic Zippo with the Harley logo, while simple pocket knives that have just the logo are also popular. There are hundreds of different designs and many private collectors will end up with dozens of these in their collections. These can be found at flea markets, garage sales and at online auctions. This is a great entry level collectible.

Die Cast Models

If you can’t get the real thing, a die cast model Harley Davidson collectible is the next best thing. These are intricate, scaled down models of the popular bikes and many of them will be hand painted and have moving parts. If you find one of these models that is still in its original packing, you’ll have found quite a deal. These are popular items at flea markets as well, and many can bring a pretty penny at auction.

Apparel

The next few Harley Davidson collectibles fall under memorabilia, and even though they may not have the same value as a 1969 Hog, they are still sought after by fans of the bike and collectors. One look at the streets of Sturgis can tell you just how many people buy and wear this apparel. Some of the older designs will have value, especially if the apparel is in good condition, but generally, this is more of a novelty item.

General Harley Davidson Collectibles

These cover a wide range of products, from salt shakers, to socks, to temporary tattoos and everything in between. You’d be surprised at just how many Harley Davidson collectibles there are out there and while these may only have emotional value, they are still a lot of fun to collect. Every once in awhile, you can even come across a figurine or a vintage collectible that actually is worth quite a bit of money. Keep your eyes open at garage sales and flea markets – you may just uncover a treasure!

Photo Credits: matthiasschack

Originally posted 2008-09-28 14:00:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Collectibles -> Lamps, Lighting -> Ceiling Fixtures

The crystal chandelier got its start in the 1600s in England, when the use of lead glass became common and even popular. Originally used in medieval abbeys and churches to light up the cavernous rooms, the chandelier started out as a wooden cross with spikes at the ends which held candles. The very word “chandelier” is from the French world candle, and means candleholder. Where the chandelier differs from other types of ancient candleholding devices is its location, suspended from the ceiling, usually in the middle of large rooms.

Aside from being a way to light up a room after dark in the years of pre-electricity, the chandelier has its place in our history in a more important way. Galileo Galilei actually discovered the law of the pendulum after watching a suspended lamp swing in the Pisa Cathedral and he realized that each swing took the same amount of time, even though it was shorter than the one before it. Of course, it wasn’t a crystal chandelier that prompted this discovery, but it wasn’t long after the first uses of chandeliers in medieval churches that the direct forerunner of the modern electric crystal chandelier was created.

Leaded glass, otherwise known as stained glass, became a common material for use in places like cathedrals in England in the 1600s. The lead made the glass more refractive, and added sparkle. Rock crystal was actually fairly rare at the time and often during cutting the quartz would break or crumble, ruining its light-refracting properties. So achieving that same sparkle from true crystal proved difficult. The addition of lead oxide softened the glass and made it easier to cut, make the glass crystals sparkle brilliantly. The dozens of pieces of glass in a crystal chandelier of that period would reflect the many candles used for illumination, and eventually became a common fixture in the homes of the wealthy and the upper classes.

In the 1700s, crystal chandeliers became longer and more ornate, and were in demand as luxury objects for the wealthy. The styles became more elaborate, as the crystal chandelier became almost a status symbol rather than a functional way to light up your home or palace. The drip pans below each candle were often made in the shape of bells or flowers, and the arms became more intricate, often in the style of a Grecian urn. While less wealthy households often used chandeliers for lighting, theirs were typically made of things like wood, metal or even tin.

As electric lighting became standard, the charm of the crystal chandelier began to lie in how it looked unlit, as a purely decorative piece. When it comes to chandeliers or any crystal items, Daniel Swarovski’s work is a highly sought after item. In the late 19th century he patented his machine that cut glass and jewelry perfectly. Those looking for a vintage crystal chandelier in online auctions often search first for Swarovskis, which are valuable and still sought out 50 years after his death.

Photo Credits: smoorenburg

Originally posted 2008-10-21 05:00:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Collectibles -> Science-Medical -> Surveying Equipment

While many people collect cat figurines, dolls, books, sports memorabilia and almost anything you can think of, fewer people collect things like surveying equipment, medical instruments, mining tools and things of that nature. But those who do collect them are enthusiastic about their hobby, and usually quite well-versed on the history of the things they collect.

A piece of antique surveying equipment isn’t just something old and valuable, it’s part of our scientific history. Finding this equipment intact is a real thrill for most collectors, because it represents the ingenuity, creativity and inventiveness of us as a people. Our ability to calculate, think logically and create sets us apart from other living creatures on this planet, and antique scientific equipment of all kinds are representations of our development into the society we are today, and the technological advances yet to come.

An early piece of surveying equipment, one of the earliest in fact, was first mentioned in a writing by Thomas Digges in 1571. The device, called a theodolite, looked like a small tripod-mounted telescope. The surveyor would look through the scope and calculate distance between two points with the help of mirrors and etched glass. This was the hallmark device of surveyors for over 200 years.

Surveying, though, dates back to 1400 BC, when the ancient Egyptians began dividing plots of land to better tax people. It was given new purpose in 120 BC when the Greeks, using their newly developed science of geometry, surveyed for the purpose of dividing land much more precisely than it had been done before. The Greeks were the first to come up with a general set of procedures for surveying land. They also invented the first real piece of surveying equipment, the diopter, which served the same purpose as the theodolite.

With the industrial revolution of the 1800s came the need to find exact boundaries of land plots. Surveying equipment became more intricate and accurate, and the use of geodetic and plane surveying began. Geodetic surveying was the most accurate surveying ever done, as it followed the shape of the land precisely over long distances. While plane surveying, the most common method of surveying used still today, assumed that the distance between two points was a flat plane.

In the 70s, the total station replaced the long-standing theodolite as the surveying equipment of choice. Today’s total stations use lasers to calculate distance, and trigonometry is used instead of geometry to make calculations. Digital levels have replaced bubble levels, and all pieces of vintage surveying equipment have been replaced with new and improved digital, electric and computerized versions. Some surveyors even use GPS systems, though not exclusively.

When shopping for vintage surveying equipment online, there are some stores that do nothing but sell, buy, trade, repair and restore such equipment. These are good resources for history and background, and even for finding that rare piece you’re after. Online auctions are great sources, too, but be sure to search for “vintage” or “antique” surveying equipment to avoid modern equipment listings.

Photo credits: State Records NSW

Originally posted 2008-10-15 14:00:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Originally posted 2008-08-01 21:15:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Collectibles -> Tools, Hardware and Locks -> Tools

The market for antique tools is growing as many collectors seek a return to when times were simpler. The nostalgia value of old tools is great, but there are many antique tools that are actually quite valuable on their own. Whether you have a specific brand in mind, or you are just fascinated by the way that these tools work, this is a fun collectible and one that is quickly gaining in popularity and value. Here’s a glimpse of the various types of antique tools that are now available.

Old Hand Tools

You might be surprised to find just how many tools were in use before the advent of the power tool. Many of these antique tools are quite inventive and ingenious and they are fascinating to look at. You can find old hand drills, unique saws and many other devices and some of them can still be used to day. Many tools in this category are well used and some might be rusty. Try to find the ones that are in the best condition, but a rare tool will always be valuable, even if it’s not in the best of shape.

Woodworking Tools

Fans of woodworking are always on the lookout for antique tools and you can find many unique tools at auction. The best place to find these tools is at old farm auctions or in some cases, you can find a dispersal of an old carpenter’s tools. Vises, clamps, grips, saws, and old antique wood saws are very popular right now and it is possible to find them still in great condition.

Leatherworking Tools

If you love tooled leather, then collecting these antique tools is a natural. You can find everything from awls, punches, tooling stamps, and cutters for sale. Many old saddle shops will have these on display and you can also find them at auction. Some ranchers will also have a good supply of these tools lying around and you never know what you may come across.

Old Farm Implements

When it comes to odd antique tools, farm implements are the best. Many magazines in farm country run contests to see who can tell what a tool is just by the picture. They come in all shapes and sizes and suited a variety of purposes. From old scythes, to tractor tools and more, this is probably one of the most interesting types of tools you can collect.

General Tools

All other antique tools which did not have a defined purpose can be lumped into this category. From inventive wrenches, to unique screwdrivers, you can find many various types of tools from many decades ago. Flea markets are a great place to look for these tools, and you can also find them at second hand stores, old hardware stores and of course, at auctions.

When you’re collecting antique tools, you’ve got a little piece of the past that can be used to either enhance your personal collection or even get some odd jobs done around the house.

Photo Credits: dblackadder

Originally posted 2008-10-01 06:38:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Collectables -> Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles

Almost everyone has heard some reference to a Faberge egg, though many people simply think it’s some sort of fancy, jeweled egg, without realizing the history behind it or its true value. Carl Faberge designed the first of these eggs in 1885, for the Russian Czar, Alexander III. Alexander wanted to give it to his wife as an Easter gift, and commissioned Faberge and his goldsmiths to create the egg. After that, a new egg was created almost yearly to be given to the Czar’s wife. His son even carried on the tradition, giving his wife and his mother, after Alexander’s death, a new creation each spring.

What made the first Faberge egg special wasn’t just that it was made from gold, but because once the egg was opened, a surprise was revealed. The first one held a golden yolk, which contained a golden hen, which contained a small crown with a ruby, in the tradition of Russian nesting dolls. After this, all the eggs made for the Czar had to contain a surprise. These eggs are known as the Imperial eggs, of which 44 still exist, and were the most extravagant ones created by Faberge and his craftsmen.

Faberge made more for private collections, but only 69 eggs in total were made, and as far as anyone knowns, only 61 still exist. These are museum pieces, commanding up to millions of dollars in value, with almost half them kept in Russia. The Faberge egg became little more than spoils of war in the 1920s, when Stalin has many sold. Until Carl Faberge died in 1920, not long after fleeing to Switzerland when the Bolsheviks seized power, the House of Faberge had created more than just eggs, but pieces that command millions of dollars at auction today.

The term Faberge egg is often used to describe any kind of whimsical, gilded or jeweled egg statue, often with a surprise inside the egg. While some of these may be beautiful, the reproductions of the actual Faberge eggs are the most sought out, and can command hundreds to thousands of dollars each, depending on the amount of gold used, and the original egg that it represents.

Of the eggs made by Faberge, the Imperial eggs are the ones most often created in reproduction, because they’re considered the most beautiful. The eggs that followed often mimicked those designs and were less original, so the Imperial collection is widely believed to be the most important. A reproduction Faberge egg makes a beautiful conversation piece, and allows us to appreciate the beauty and artistry that was created so long ago.

You can find a reproduction Imperial Faberge egg in a variety of places, though eBay and online sellers are easier to find than local stores that sell these gems. The most affordable versions are the miniature reproductions, which capture the colors and style of the original eggs in a smaller size. These allow you to collect several of the eggs and display them together in a relatively small space.

Originally posted 2008-11-12 05:00:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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For those that love this intrepid breed, cairn terrier collectibles are a wonderful expression of their devotion. Whether you are shopping for yourself, or you need a gift for a lover of this breed, there are countless types of cairn terrier collectibles that are currently available. Let’s take a quick look at what you need to know about these collectibles before you buy.

1. The Materials Used

Typically, cairn terrier collectibles will be made from resin or porcelain. The ones that are made from porcelain are generally considered to be the most valuable. These will often be a little paler in color, but with handpainting, they can be just as vibrant as a resin piece. For those that are looking for a lot of intricate detail, resin figurines do offer that lifelike look. However, for those that need a piece that will be a little more valuable, porcelain is the material to get.

2. Quality of Work

You can find cheap cairn terrier collectibles, but you do get what you pay for. Mass produced figurines will generally have small errors and overall, they are not worth much, except for sentimental value. In order to get a collectible that will accrue value over the years, it is important to consider the quality of the craftsmanship and whether or not the piece is actually made well. Mass produced pieces lack the charm that comes with something that is handmade, and for those that are serious about collecting, the best type of cairn terrier collectible to get is one that was produced by an actual artist.

3. The Artist’s Signature

One of the easiest ways to learn more about a cairn terrier figurine is simply to flip it over. If it was designed and made by a particular artist, there should be a maker’s mark and even a signature on the bottom of the figurine. Mass produced figurines typically will only have the country of origin on the bottom. This is a great and easy way to find out whether or not you are dealing with a cairn terrier collectible that will be worth something some day.

If you are looking for a particular artist or design house, always check the bottom of the cairn terrier collectible before you purchase it. This will be your biggest clue that it may have real value, beyond an emotional attachment and by simply looking for these marks, you can end up saving money by purchasing authentic pieces.

4. The Level of Intricacy of the Piece

There are some cairn terrier collectibles that are incredibly lifelike, right down to the little glass eyes. While these are beautiful to look at, surprisingly enough, they may not be the most valuable. It is easy for companies to create detailed molds for figurines, and they are usually cast en masse. However, a single artist may make a few mistakes. These add charm to the piece and may even increase its value. There is always something to be said for figurines that are made by hand.

Originally posted 2008-09-01 14:00:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Most of us have heard the term Bakelite, even if we’re not entirely sure what it means. When we think of Bakelite we often think of plastic, as they seem to go hand in hand. But Bakelite is a type of plastic, most often used in costume jewelry in the early 20th century. It became most popular in the 1940s and 1950s, when costume jewelry in bright colors was prized over delicate chains and golden and silver charms.

Bakelite creator, Belgian Leo Baekeland, invented Bakelite in 1909, patented it in 1910 and sold it for a decade for industrial purposes before adjusting his factory to also produce Bakelite jewelry items. Bakelite was actually used for a number of things, including phonograph records for Thomas Edison. It was also now used for handles of things like mirrors, replacing the older more easily word celluloid plastic.

With mass production came the end of Bakelite’s popularity. But now collectors, and just fans of the jewelry, see out these earliest pieces for many reasons. There’s no shortage of Bakelite on eBay, but the problem is that you don’t now if something’s Bakelite or if it’s merely very good. Some people use Bakelite as a generic type term for plastic, which is incorrect.

Bakelite can be found online in auctions, in online stores, vintage shops and estate sales. Often in a batch of costume jewelry there will be some Bakelite items. Many of us who used to play dress-up often pulled those old pieces of Bakelite jewelry out of our mothers’ and grandmothers’ jewelry boxes and pretended to be someone we weren’t. This type of jewelry was most popular during the Great Depression.

The method of Bakelite production also serves to make the plastic unique. Instead of being melted and poured into a mold, the Bakelite often arrived in cylinders that required carving to reveal the design to be present in the jewelry. It could be melted down and poured in containers for shaping and coating, but most often it came in solid chunks. When manufacturers learned how to put color into Bakelite, it gave way to a period of bright colored furniture of the 60s.

It’s not easy to determine if a piece of jewelry up for auction is an authentic Bakelite or just vintage plastic. If you can handle the jewelry and do a hot pin test on it you’ll know. A heated pin touched to an inconspicuous spot on the jewelry should release a distinctive odor. Formaldehyde is an ingredient in Bakelite, so the heated pin should release that scent. Some Bakelite gives off a slight formaldehyde scent already. But when you can see it, you can ask the seller to test the item, if he or she sounds unsure.

A little research into the popular jewelry of the Depression era will bring you lots of info about Bakelite, and will make it easier to spot, even for the movie. Once mass-production began, Bakelite disappeared, but it can still find a place in your jewelry box today.

Originally posted 2008-12-02 14:00:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Collectables -> Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone -> Phonographs, Accessories

Many of us remember, and many of us still own, 45 records. While all vinyl records went out of vogue in the 1980s thanks to the popularity of digital media sources, vinyl records are still manufactured and sold though mostly for use by disc jockeys and certain types of music.

The earliest known recorded sound was in 1860, recorded by what was called a phonautograph, and wasn’t even fully appreciated by its inventor. He wanted to study sound and see it represented, but had no interest in playing it back. Thomas Edison, however, used that phonautograph to build a machine in 1877 that would playback the sound. The sound was recorded on tinfoil with this device that was actually designed for purposes like office dictation. Edward Guilliard improved on the device, though his achievements were absorbed by Edison’s patent, stemming a 26-year fight for the credit. These early inventions were still years away from 45 records.

During the 1880s, this cylinder became a standard in recorded sound. Discs were created bearing sound that was used in toys, then in 1912, discs were created that would play for a solid 4 minutes. The patent for lateral-cut discs expired in 1918, and many companies produced them, making the disc recording much more popular than the cylinder recording. These discs, which were later produced as albums and 45 records, were the primary sound recording medium until the Compact Disc began taking over the marketplace in the 1980s.

The speeds of early disc recordings ranged from 60 to 120 rpm and came in several different sizes. The hand-cranked Victrola’s of the earliest recorded sound playbacks were improved with spring drives over hand drives a regular speed of rotation could be monitored. Apparently, one of the earliest spring-driven Victrolas spun at 78 rpm, and that’s the best guess by most industry insiders as to why the 78 rpm record became the standard speed by 1925. Though there was a variation between America and other parts of the world in the exact speed. 45 records created later had a speed of 45 rpm, thanks to their smaller size.

The 33 1/3 rpm record was introduced by the Columbia Record Company in 1948. The first 45 records were introduced in 1949 by RCA Victor. They were smaller, 7” to the LP’s 12”, and with a large center hole instead of a small one that just fit the spindle on most turntables, to allow them to be used with an automatic changer. A small plastic “spider” was created later that popped into the center hole and allowed the smaller records to be used with an ordinary spindle.

It’s rare to find 45 records in great condition, as many will be scratched to some degree. Thrift shops and online auctions like eBay are great places to find old, popular songs on 45 records. If the original paper or cardboard sleeve is intact, they’re even more sought out by collectors, as often those bear original artwork much like album covers.

Photo Credits: antonfortunato

Originally posted 2008-11-03 14:00:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Collectibles -> Animals -> Cat-Domestic

The history of cat collectibles goes back much farther than you probably realize. Cats were revered in Ancient Egypt where citizens did more than collect cat-related items, they collected the cats themselves. So far, over 300,000 mummified cats have been found buried in ancient tombs. Egyptians viewed cats as god-like and wise, and held them to be sacred creatures. Killing a cat was punishable by death. Other than the cats themselves, the earliest cat collectibles were probably figurines, such as alabaster and carved representations of cats.

Unfortunately, cats weren’t always our respected companions. During the middle ages, the push to establish Christianity as the only religion resulted in widespread slaughter of cats in order to destroy the symbol of any other belief systems. The lack of cats was responsible for rodent overpopulation, and the Bubonic plague. Later, cats were considered evil and companions of witches and the devil, and were hunted and killed again. This is a far cry from the attitudes of Ancient Egypt who created the original cat collectibles, and shaved their eyebrows in mourning when a domesticated cat died.

Cat collectibles today consist of thousands of different items all under one broad umbrella. While figurines are always popular in any type of collectible circles, almost any item that features a cat is considered a collectible in the eyes of feline lovers. And in fact, almost everyone who loves cats loves cat-related items, whether they’re a small collection of cat figurines, keychains, mugs, T-shirts or even tote bags and designer purses that bear the likeness of their favorite four-legged friends.

Whatever a person’s reason for acquiring cat collectibles of a certain kind, you should know that there are favorite areas that interest the majority of collectors. Figurines are probably the most popular type of collectible. The most ancient are extremely valuable, and the most recent mass-produced items have virtually no value. However, some 20th century figurines that can be found in auctions are valuable, and are likely to become more valuable as time passes. Ceramic or porcelain figurines that have the company’s stamp on the bottom and that were produced in Occupied Japan do have more value than other figurines, for instance.

While you can walk into any store today and find a glut of cat collectibles of every stripe available for purchase, many cat lovers prefer shopping at yard sales, flea markets and online auctions for old and vintage cat-related items. Some prefer vintage collectible items because of the history of the time period or the company that manufactured them. Others feel that the enormous number of new cat-related items takes away from their charm and collectibility, so they prefer older items that might have been a bit more unique when they were created. Some search for items representing a particular breed or type of cat, like Persians or black cats. And some just collect the items that appeal to them, regardless of value, because they love the items.

Photo Credits: naydeeyah

Originally posted 2008-10-09 05:00:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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