Definition

Art is the process of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions. When we think of art the first thing that comes to mind is painting, however art is actually much broader than that. It comes in many different mediums and forms such as music, literature, film photography and sculpture.

Art works by nature have a tendency to be very subjective; an artwork might be loved by one person and hated by another. This is due to the very subjective nature of art.

Prints

Original artworks can be very expensive and therefore hard to collect. For this reason the concept of art prints was introduced where by famous artworks were reproduced at a much lower cost to enable people to have beautiful art collections in their own homes. These prints are not considers as presiguous; however they enable people to become art collectors that would not otherwise be able to.

Art Collections

People have been collecting art for thousands of years. Their collections can be based on certain artist, mediums, art periods or art styles. While when we think of art collectors we primarily think of personal art collections, art museums can also be considered a form of art collectors. They collected a variety of different art pieces and display them for public viewing.

Books and Collectibles

Books and Collectibles is an online shop that enables people to buy and sell collectible artworks online. They have a wide variety of different types and styles of artworks; however, they specialize in rare and unusual artworks. Click here for more information.

History

Comic books first became popular during the 1930’s with such well known and loved superheroes as Superman, Batman and Captain Marvel. Comic book popularity grew from here (mainly due to the concept of specialty comic book stores opening) and in the 1960’s the concept of comic book conventions began. Comic book conventions provided a place where comic book enthusiasts could come together and discuss their favorite comics with each other. Today comic book conventions have become a worldwide phenomenon.

Reasons

Some of the reasons that people collect comics include:

• including appreciation,
• financial profit
• nostalgia
• completion of the collection

Protecting Collectable Comics

Comic books should be stored in a cool, dry place (as sunlight can bleach the pages and can also react with the paper causing it to ‘yellow’, and heat and moisture can also damage them).

As comic book collection became more popular the need to protect and preserve comics became apparent to keep the comics in the best possible condition and stop them from aging and losing value. A range of bags, boxes, and acid-free “backing boards” were designed to keep the comic book flat and protect them from elements that cause aging. Collectors advise that it is best not to store comics in cardboard boxes (or in a manner that uses cardboard backing. This is because that acid in the cardboard can react with the fibers of the paper of the comics that can cause the comics to deteriorate.

The Penny Black was the first postage stamp to be issued. It featured a picture of Queen Victoria and was issued in Brian in 1840. Stamp collecting began around 1860-1870 and was originally started by children and teenagers. Adults originally saw the hobby has childish behavior and did not participate until much later.

Some countries have created a source of income out of stamp collecting by creating limited edition stamps designed to be purchased by stamp collectors. These stamps are rare and usually very elaborate in their design.

Below is a list of equipment that is recommended when starting your own stamp collection:

• Tongs/tweezers (to enable to you safely handle stamps without damaging them)
• Magnifying glass (to enable you to read and see fine detail within the stamps)
• Album (this is used to safely store the stamps and protect from light, heat and damp and prevent them from ageing)

The organization of a stamp collection is up to the individual collector. They could be organized by country, topic, size, age etc.

There is such a wide variety of stamps available that some collectors may limit the stamps they collect to certain countries, periods of time or subjects to prevent their stamp collection becoming uncontrollably large.

Stamps can be purchased and traded from dealer shops or online. Some dealers also set up bourses (a mobile market designed to sell and trade stamps that moves from region to region each week).