Navigating the Collector's World: Essential Resources for Enthusiasts

Step into the captivating world of collecting, where each acquisition brings excitement and a flurry of questions. Whether you're a passionate beginner embarking on a thrilling new adventure or a seasoned collector surrounded by a treasure trove of carefully curated pieces, the quest for knowledge and guidance is eternal. That's why we've crafted this blog post to serve as your compass, pointing you in the right direction, regardless of the treasures you seek or the stage of your collection.

GENERAL COLLECTING RESOURCES

• Collectors Weekly – A resource for people who love vintage and antiques. They feature in-depth, informative articles on over 1500 vintage and antique categories.

• Collect.com – This site specializes in information on coin collecting, old cars, sports collecting, music collecting, gun collecting, and antiques.

• Kovels – This website has a wide range of information on many collecting subjects. They are known for their price guides which are well respected. This site also has an extensive collection of makers’ marks.

TYPES OF COLLECTIBLES

Collecting Ceramics and Pottery

• Antique Marks - Everything you need to know about the world of antique ceramics worldwide.

• About Antiques – List of tips for newer collectors of ceramics and porcelain

Collecting Salt and Pepper Shakers

• Novelty Salt & Pepper Shakers Club - A collectors club of members from around the world who love collecting novelty and figural salt and pepper shakers in common.

Collecting Glassware

• Just Glass – An introduction to collecting glassware by Rosemary Trietsch. This site has a nice back history and description of glassware categories.

• Glassware Handbook – Extensive guide on all types of glassware, including Avon glassware, depression glass, and crystal glassware.

Collecting Comic Books

• CGC – The first independent, impartial, third-party comic book grading service.

• Comic Vine – An excellent article on starting a comic book collection. This website also has a ton of information on the current comic book industry, including news, previews, and reviews.

COLLECTING BY BRAND

Collecting Avon

• eBay Guide – Good overview of the company and the types of Avon bottles available to collect.

• National Association of Avon Collectors - A non-profit organization to further the Avon collecting hobby

Collecting Coca-Cola

• The Martin Guide to Coca-Cola - A very complete website devoted to all things Coca-Cola, including a subscription-only price guide, $29.99 per year.

• Coca-Cola Collectors Club – Group of Coca-Cola collectors with local chapters worldwide. US membership is $35.

• eBay Guide - Nice overview of various types of Coca-Cola collectibles, from antique to vintage items.

Collecting Pez Dispensers

• Pez Candy Inc. Collectors Corner – Pez Candy Inc.’s official website regarding collectible information, including special events and potential fakes to look out for.

• CollectingPez.com – Ultimate Pez collecting website with everything you need to start or further a Pez collection, including convention information and a gallery of Pez tattoos.

Collecting Precious Moments

• Sell 4 Value – A site that buys precious moments figurines. The site does have a rough history of the Precious Moments figurines and a general pricing guide.

• Woolvey – A guide to identifying your Precious Moments figures and a detailed guide on valuation.

CHECK OUT SOME BEGINNER GUIDES FOR COLLECTORS

• Fire King by Anchor Hocking - Fire King is affordable because of its plentiful supply and durability. It was produced around the clock for decades, so it can easily be found at estate and yard sales, as well as at auctions and online.

• Antique Coffee Tins - Today, coffee tins are highly collectible. They have become one of the most sought-after antique advertising collectibles, second to tobacco tins. Despite the many tins manufactured, only tiny percentages have survived. Of those that did, many of the more desirable ones have become almost impossible to find due to the many collectors competing for them. This scarcity and popularity have caused prices to soar dramatically in recent years.

• Vintage Lunch Boxes - From 1935 through the 1980s placing any popular character on the side of a lunch box (or lunchbox) made it a must-have for children who carried them to school. Initially selling for around $2.00, many vintage lunch boxes today sell at several hundred to several thousand dollars at auction prices. If you are considering starting a lunch box collection, many styles are still available for $20.00 and up.

• Coca-Cola - Collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Coca-Cola is one of the world's most recognizable and beloved brands and has been around for over a century. As a result, there is a vast array of items associated with the brand that collectors can seek out and add to their collections.

• Avon Bottles - Vintage Avon figural bottles are popular among collectors and enthusiasts and can be found in online marketplaces, antique stores, and estate sales. The value of these bottles can vary greatly depending on their rarity, condition, and design. Some of the most valuable vintage Avon bottles include the 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, the 1971 George Washington bottle, and the 1978 California Perfume Company bottle.

• Cookie Jars - Collecting vintage cookie jars is a popular hobby for many enthusiasts who enjoy the charm and nostalgia associated with these unique kitchen collectibles. Cookie jars have been a staple in American homes since the early 1900s, providing a decorative and functional way to store and display cookies.