Archive for September, 2010

All about Metal Head Dolls

Posted by admin on September 28th, 2010

All about Metal Head DollsMore and more collectors of antiques and collectibles are expressing interest to buy metal head or tin head dolls and this is evident from the fact that these dolls, which once took a backseat in the world of collecting dolls, are now recognized by one and all as unique and valuable collectibles.

Most of these dolls are made of a wide array of metals, including silver, aluminum, tin, and brass.

From Associatedcontent.com:

“Minerva” is one of the most common manufacturer’s mark found on the metal head dolls. These dolls were made by various companies and widely distributed in the United States. Buschow & Beck, Alfred Heller, manufactured dolls marked “Diana”. “Juno” was the mark used by Karl Standfuss. Some metal heads are marked only with the size and the country of origin. There are many that are not marked at all.

The metal head doll was marketed as being indestructible. This was a great improvement over the breakable porcelain dolls that were so popular. They would not disintegrate when they were exposed to moisture like the popular composition doll of that time. The main drawback was the metal would more readily absorb the surrounding temperature leaving the doll too hot to handle or too cold to snuggle.

Metal head dolls can be found with bodies made of cloth, leather, or metal bodies. Of these body types the metal-bodied doll is the hardest to find.

Often metal heads, like the popular china doll heads of that time, were sold separately. For this reason it is not uncommon to find the metal head doll on a homemade cloth body. The limbs on these dolls were often made of china, cloth or composition, rarely metal.

The fact that expert minor restoration do not take away from the value of these types of dolls means that they are perfect choice for the collector on a budget.

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Tips for Doll Collectors

Posted by admin on September 24th, 2010

Tips for Doll CollectorsIf you want to find out the best reasons behind doll collecting worldwide, this piece of information will be useful to you in more than just a way.

Some of the most important factors to buy and sell doll collectibles are manufacturer, size range, ethnicity, fashion, and price.

From Associatedcontent.com:

Feelings of nostalgia drive many a doll purchase. Beyond that, the collectible doll market focuses on a few elements: manufacturer, being foremost. Beyond that, collectors consider type of doll (some collect only porcelain, for example, while some search for dolls that fall into a certain size range or ethnicity), celebrity, (dolls fashioned after celebrities themselves, not the characters they have portrayed…this is very specific), and fashion such as with Barbie, Jem, and the older Dawn dolls.

Check the Manufacturer

In terms of manufacturers, I’d rank that second only to the nostalgia-driven market in terms of collectibility. In the ‘60s, Madame Alexander was known for her series of International dolls, then character dolls. Her hallmark was the fact that she hand crafted the dolls. They had bent knees, eyes that flipped open and closed, and faces that coincided with the image they were trying to portray. As a testament to that fact, Ebay is now featuring a set of 5 Madame Alexander dolls from Little Women for a starting price of $3,000.

After Madame Alexander’s death, her family took over the production of the dolls, and the standard of manufacture changed significantly. The dolls, as with so many other things, became mass produced, with just a few facial differentiations. Though many of the collectors remained loyal, others balked at the new production, as the price of these dolls reflect in resale. The bent-knee, older Alexander dolls will bring quite a bit more than those manufactured today.

We hope that this information on doll collectibles helped you gain invaluable insights.

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Guide to collecting Barbie Dolls

Posted by admin on September 21st, 2010

Guide to collecting Barbie Dolls Barbie dolls have always been considered to be the best collectibles for avid collector of antiques and collectibles.

Let us read more about these much-wanted collectible dolls by which a collector can make the most out without having to spend a fortune.

From Associatedcontent.com:

First of all, there are regular toy Barbie dolls and collectible Barbie dolls. The most common collectible Barbie dolls are the “Pink Label” dolls. These are more mass produced and are sold in most stores. The next are “Silver Label” dolls. There are no more than 50,000 dolls of each design produced and are also sold in most stores. The next are “Gold Label” dolls. There are no more than 25,000 dolls of each design that are produced worldwide and individually numbered and are only available at select retails stores. The next are “Platinum Label” dolls. There are only 1,000 or fewer dolls produced of each design and are sequentially numbered.

Other labels include the “Black Label” which is a collection of limited edition dolls geared toward the adult collector. Other than these labels there is also the “Fashion Model” collection also known as “Silk Stone dolls” which are made from porcelain like material and each doll design comes with exquisite fashion apparel. Also, there are other collectibles such as the “Holiday” Barbie’s, the “FAO Schwarz” Barbie’s, the “Hollywood” Barbie’s, “Hard Rock Café” Barbie’s, “Corvette” Barbie’s, “Hello Kitty” Barbie’s, vintage reproductions, and the list goes on.

Some of the most popular Barbie doll collectibles are “Fashion Model” collection also known as “Silk Stone dolls”, “Holiday” Barbie’s, the “FAO Schwarz” Barbie’s, the “Hollywood” Barbie’s, “Hard Rock Café” Barbie’s, “Corvette” Barbie’s, “Hello Kitty” Barbie’s, and other vintage reproductions.

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Commonwealth Games shopping festival starts Sept. 25

Posted by admin on September 17th, 2010

Commonwealth Games shopping festival starts Sept. 25The “Commonwealth Games Shopping Festival” across all main markets in Delhi from September 25, 2010 to October 15, 2010 is set to delight all, thanks to an initiative from the Organizing Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi and the Delhi Traders Association.

Suresh Kalmadi, M.P., Chairman- Organizing Committee, Commonwealth Games 2010,Delhi, said that the shopping festival

From in.news.yahoo.com:

In keeping with the festive mood and celebrations during the games, all the above markets will be decorated and illuminated in order to induce the spirit of the Delhi 2010 Games and provide visitors with an insight to the rich cultural heritage of the country.

Surinder Singh Dhir, President of the Delhi Traders Association said, “The traders of Delhi are eagerly looking forward to the festival and are delighted by this initiative of the Organizing Committee to support us and make us actively participate in the celebrations surrounding the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010. We plan to provide customers with healthy discounts and attractive packages, and believe that Diwali bonanzas will come early even for local shoppers.”

The festival will reflect the journey from the traditional and ethnic feel to the modern culture of the Delhi. In addition, the emblems, hoardings, banners across all shops during the Commonwealth Games Shopping Festival will feature Delhi 2010.

The CWG Games 2010 merchandise including collectibles, shirts, sportswear, and clothing accessories is expected to be in great demand during the games from Oct 3 to Oct 14, 2010.

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Plan Your Investments

Posted by admin on September 14th, 2010

Plan Your InvestmentsOne needs to plan your income and investment plans well in advance to lead to financially independent life. Youth nowadays really need to realize the rising standards and the need of time to invest before it gets too late. This stage only comes if you have no liabilities and using your assets you can spend a satisfying lifestyle without working. It is a step by step promotional ladder which a person climbs to reach a happy life.

From hindustantimes.com:

You are well paid, well off, have a good lifestyle. But can you afford to stop working? If your answer is ‘No’, then you are just financially stable — as long as you get your monthly cheque – but far from being financially independent. You’re also not alone — a large number of people retire without being financially independent.

Financial independence is a state where you are free from all liabilities and have created sufficient wealth that can generate a constant stream of income that allows you to maintain your lifestyle without having to work them.

There are six steps to be followed to achieve a financially independent stage. Firstly, plan your income, know your expenses and learn to invest, plan your future expenses, gain life insurance and write a will. Success is achieved if the future is secure financially as well as mentally. One should try investing in homes only if you save even after paying your EMIs. Investing right from the age of 25 can really help you plan a better future.

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Pick around for the best antiques and collectibles

Posted by admin on September 9th, 2010

Pick around for the best <b>antiques and collectibles</b>\Antique picking is the act of identifying, shopping, and negotiating for antique items but most people are ignorant about which all items can be classified as antiques.

It is important while collecting antiques that you should be continually on the hunt for old antiques and collectibles and you may be able to get that perfect one from the least-expected place.

From Postbulletin.com:

Antiques are old collectible items that are often desired because of their age, beauty, rarity, condition or other unique features that represent a previous time in our culture. Antiques are usually items that show some degree of fine craftsmanship or attention to details.

Antique items are often found when someone goes “antique picking” at garage sales, antique shops, estates sales, thrift shops, flea markets, directly from antique dealers and also online auction sites.

Star of the show

Most of those who like antique picking like watching the “Antique Roadshow,” a show that dates back to 1979. It was started by a British TV station and involvesvarious antique appraisers that traveled the area to appraise antiques that the local people bring to them.

In June 1996, “Antiques Roadshow” began its journey across America in search of hidden treasures. This program is part adventure — it’s a history lesson and a treasure hunt. As it marks its 14th season, it is currently the highest-rated PBS series with almost 12 million viewers each week.

It is highly important to constantly be aware of fakes, reproductions, rust, and repaired items after spending time and making research so that replicas are not sold to you for the big prices of old antiques.

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CWG 2010 Games merchandising-Instant Hit

Posted by admin on September 7th, 2010

CWG 2010 Games merchandising - Instant HitThe sale of Commonwealth games merchandise may have started a bit late, but it has been an instant hit within a day of its launch. The vuvuzelas were the most sought-after in an eclectic mix and the response was “overwhelming” as per the organizers.

An initial range of twenty-five items has been introduced in the run-up to the CWG Games 2010 in Delhi, which will run through October 3-14.

From Timesofindia.indiatimes.com:

Within hours of its opening Thursday, the maiden merchandising outlet at the Organising Committee headquarters did a business of a whopping Rs.1,04,000. Friday afternoon, the outlet was teaming with people and sold items worth Rs.78,000.

“We are delighted by the response. We wanted to gauge the response of people in the first two days and it has surpassed our expectations. The response has been overwhelming and the items are fast disappearing,” Vikas Arora, Brand Executive, Premier Brands, said.

“Though everything in our stores has recorded a good sale, it is the vuvuzelas which are the most in demand.

“We had only 20 pieces of vuvuzelas with us yesterday and they were sold within minutes. Coloured coffee mugs, caps, T-shirts, badges are the other things in demand.”

The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on Thursday launched the official merchandise after missing several deadlines.

The Commonwealth merchandise included branded sportswear like T-shirts, jackets, casual wear, kids apparels; collectibles; stationery; generic items like umbrellas, key-chains, mugs, refrigerator magnets etc.

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Crystal studded glove of Michael Jackson on auction

Posted by admin on September 3rd, 2010

Crystal studded glove of Michael Jackson on auctionA rare black, bejeweled glove worn by pop icon Michael Jackson is considered to fetch as much as $50,000 when it goes under the hammer as part of an auction in China later this year.

The stage accessory was worn by Michael during his promotional tour for the 1995 ‘History’ tour, as reported by Contactmusic.

From Hindustantimes.com:

Collectibles from the careers of fellow pop legends Madonna and Elvis Presley will also be going up for auction, as well as pieces from Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Lee and late British royal, Diana, Princess of Wales.

A burgundy velvet dress worn by the Princess to a 1989 event at the French Embassy is another sale highlight, the ball gown, worn during a ceremony honouring the then-French ambassador, Viscount Luc de La Barr de Nanteuil, is expected to sell for between USD 80,000 and USD 100,000.

Film memorabilia from Hollywood blockbusters ‘Batman’,‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘The Last Samurai’ are also among the lots on offer.

The bejeweled glove will be auctioned off alongside a selection of other Michael Jackson memorabilia that include stage costumes, handwritten notes, and original paintings by the singer himself.

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