Temple Illuminatus2024-03-29T08:18:30ZCarmen Elsa Irarragorri Wylandhttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWylandhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/66636336?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://templeilluminatus.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=collectors-nook&user=2rpnr3tuhpmal&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe Collector's Guide to Girl Scouts Memorabiliatag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2023-02-18:6363372:Topic:36315762023-02-18T01:54:36.933ZCarmen Elsa Irarragorri Wylandhttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWyland
<div class="css-1lr08az e12wtocy0"><div class="css-mktybr exadjwu2"><div class="css-1b4rjfg exadjwu6"><p>The year 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the beloved Girl Scout cookie, and there's no better time to dig in to the organization's sweet history. Here's everything you need to know when hunting for vintage Girl Scouts apparel, cookie boxes, badges, gear, and more.…</p>
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<div class="css-1lr08az e12wtocy0"><div class="css-mktybr exadjwu2"><div class="css-1b4rjfg exadjwu6"><p>The year 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the beloved Girl Scout cookie, and there's no better time to dig in to the organization's sweet history. Here's everything you need to know when hunting for vintage Girl Scouts apparel, cookie boxes, badges, gear, and more.</p>
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<div class="css-mbupof exadjwu5"><address class="css-q69k8b ehvvd9m1"><span class="css-1hg9yv1 ehvvd9m0">BY<span> </span>CAROLINE COLLINS MCKENZIE</span>PUBLISHED:<span> </span>JAN 31, 2017</address>
<address class="css-q69k8b ehvvd9m1"><img src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/clv.h-cdn.co/assets/17/05/1280x1714/gallery-1485891312-thrill-of-the-hunt-girl-scouts-0317.jpg?resize=1200:*" alt="Product, Sleeve, Collar, Pattern, Baby & toddler clothing, Design, Brand, Button, Active shirt, Sweater, "/></address>
<address class="css-q69k8b ehvvd9m1"><img src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/clv.h-cdn.co/assets/17/05/1485895859-thrill-of-the-hunt-cookie-boxes-0317.jpg?resize=980:*" alt="Poster, Games, Illustration, Advertising, Recipe, Food group, Vintage advertisement, Meal, "/></address>
<address class="css-q69k8b ehvvd9m1"><p class="css-18vfmjb et3p2gv0">Cookie sales began in 1917 as a fundraiser for a single troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, but quickly became a signature pillar of Girl Scout life. While cookie boxes and promotional posters aren't as collected as badges or uniforms, there's still a healthy appetite for certain items. Of particular note are the silhouette-adorned packages from 1936 to 1939<span> </span><em>(white box, middle left)</em>, which were designed by popular female illustrator Jessie Gillespie and sell for as much as $35. A Tea Rings container<span> </span><em>(brown circular box, middle right)</em><span> </span>from the early 1930s is valued at around $20 and benefits from a secondary market of general cookie tin collectors. Less sought-after containers go for around $5 apiece.</p>
<p class="css-18vfmjb et3p2gv0"><strong>BADGES</strong></p>
<p class="css-18vfmjb et3p2gv0"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10969207100?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10969207100?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></strong></p>
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<address class="css-q69k8b ehvvd9m1"><span>These emblems have been coveted for decades. Here are the honorable sums they'll fetch today: 1913 Naturalist, $300; 1913 Ambulance, $300; 1918 Public Health, $200; 1918 Naturalist, $25; 1920 Economist, $50; 1926 Craftsman, $15; 1930 Scholarship, $40; 1940 Handywoman, $9; 1963 Radio and Television, $9; 1974 Aviation, $10; 1974 Photography, $5; 1980 Science Sleuth, $2.</span></address>
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<address class="css-q69k8b ehvvd9m1"><span><strong>APPAREL</strong></span></address>
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<address class="css-q69k8b ehvvd9m1"><p class="css-18vfmjb et3p2gv0">From the beginning, founder Juliette Gordon Low studied fabric swatches and pattern books to create an iconic look for her newly formed troops. Green proved the right hue to represent the organization, but uniform colors have varied through the years. Styles like this sash<span> </span><em>(bottom left)</em><span> </span>worn by an Intermediate Scout from 1935 to 1940 can earn up to $900, thanks in part to the number of pins and badges it sports (35 in total, including "Woodcraft Scout," "Star Gazer," and a "Golden Eaglet" valued at $450 alone). Newer items like the 1960s Senior uniform<span> </span><em>(green shirt, middle left)<span> </span></em>or the camp swimsuit from the same era make a splash at $75. Small accessories such as mid-century wallets<span> </span><em>(yellow wallet, bottom left)</em>, watches, compacts<span> </span><em>(tan compact, bottom right)</em>, purses, and scarves sell in the $5 to $15 range.</p>
<p class="css-18vfmjb et3p2gv0"><strong>GEAR</strong></p>
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<p class="css-18vfmjb et3p2gv0"><strong><span>Girl Scouts took their "Be Prepared" motto to heart with a wealth of outdoor gear. By the 1930s, as enrollment soared to more than 200,000 members (up from a mere 18 in 1912), the organization regularly issued tools such as pocket knives, first-aid kits, match safes, and canteens emblazoned with their trefoil logo. Today these all have a value in the $40 range. More recent offerings such as an aluminum "Brownie" flashlightand the tartan canteen, both from the 1960s, fetch closer to $20. Thanks to its pristine condition and fine craftsmanship, the cozy circa 1956 camp blankethas a value of $50. Look to novelty items such as the "Official Girl Scout Camera," produced by the Herbert George Company in the 1950s, to capture approximately $15, while its short-lived predecessor, a charming mint-green model, can be snapped up for twice that amount.</span></strong></p>
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<p class="css-18vfmjb et3p2gv0"><strong><span><a href="https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/antiques/a41572/vintage-girl-scouts-memorabilia/">The Collectors Guide to Girl Scouts Memorabilia (countryliving.com)</a></span></strong></p>
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</div> Largest collection Of Keychainstag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2022-04-29:6363372:Topic:36236672022-04-29T01:22:12.144ZCarmen Elsa Irarragorri Wylandhttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWyland
<p><img alt="Largest collection of keychains" src="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/assets/1817578?width=780&height=497&ezimgfmt=rs:780x497/rscb1/ng:webp/ngcb1"></img></p>
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<p>Who: ANGEL ALVAREZ CORNEJO</p>
<p>Where: SPAIN<span> </span><span>(SEVILLA)</span></p>
<p><span>What: 62,257 TOTAL NUMBER</span></p>
<p><span>When: 25 JUNE 2016</span></p>
<p>The largest collection of keychains consists of 62,257 items, achieved by Angel Alvarez Cornejo (Spain), in Sevilla, Spain, as verified on 25 June 2016.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p>Angel Alvarez Cornejo's collection began at the age of 7. Due to the tremendous size of his collection he now…</p>
<p><img src="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/assets/1817578?width=780&height=497&ezimgfmt=rs:780x497/rscb1/ng:webp/ngcb1" alt="Largest collection of keychains"/></p>
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<p>Who: ANGEL ALVAREZ CORNEJO</p>
<p>Where: SPAIN<span> </span><span>(SEVILLA)</span></p>
<p><span>What: 62,257 TOTAL NUMBER</span></p>
<p><span>When: 25 JUNE 2016</span></p>
<p>The largest collection of keychains consists of 62,257 items, achieved by Angel Alvarez Cornejo (Spain), in Sevilla, Spain, as verified on 25 June 2016.</p>
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<p>Angel Alvarez Cornejo's collection began at the age of 7. Due to the tremendous size of his collection he now stores his keychains in his garage and a rented warehouse!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-collection-of-keychains?msclkid=">https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-collection-of-keychains?msclkid=</a></p>
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<p><img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d0/0c/e6/d00ce623c6eb6c6b311917a12bff5bf6.jpg" alt="See the source image"/></p>
<p><a class="ptitle novid" title="View page" target="_blank" href="https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/509047564104234357/" rel="noopener">I used to collect keychains, but I never has this many ...</a></p>
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<p></p> Keeping Tamagotchi Alivetag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2021-12-23:6363372:Topic:36073782021-12-23T18:44:04.099ZCarmen Elsa Irarragorri Wylandhttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWyland
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The virtual pet that turned ‘90s kids into round-the-clock caretakers turned 25 this year</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/author/michelle-delgado/">Michelle Delgado</a></span></p>
<p><span>December 22, 2021</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939910256?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939910256?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600"></img></a></span></p>
<p>Dani Bunda vividly remembers…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The virtual pet that turned ‘90s kids into round-the-clock caretakers turned 25 this year</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/author/michelle-delgado/">Michelle Delgado</a></span></p>
<p><span>December 22, 2021</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939910256?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939910256?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" class="align-center"/></a></span></p>
<p>Dani Bunda vividly remembers when she and her older sister bought their Tamagotchis at the mall. “We sat in the dressing room and pretended we were alien catchers—and we’d just found these eggs,” Bunda, now 27, recalls.</p>
<p>In the weeks that followed, Bunda says her mother became the “ultimate Tamagotchi grandparent,” tending the needy, beeping virtual pets during tennis lessons and school days. With proper feeding, attention and discipline, Tamagotchis grow through unique life cycles, developing personalities that reflect the care they receive.</p>
<p><span>The palm-sized, egg-shaped toys, with black and white pixelated screens and a handy keychain, were a self-contained universe—one that included happy moments and melancholy ones alike.“I remember, very clearly, standing in the kitchen when my sister found out that her Tamagotchi died, and just how traumatic that was for her,” Bunda says. Players quickly </span><a href="https://www.wired.com/1997/08/tama-hackers-play-god-catch-hell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">learned to modify their games</a><span>, extending their virtual pets’ lives by </span><a href="https://onezero.medium.com/the-tamagotchi-hacking-communitys-quest-to-cheat-death-dc3e7ee27a0f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">removing the toy’s batteries</a><span> or using pencil graphite to trigger a debugging signal.</span></p>
<p>When Tamagotchi—which turned 25 this<span> </span><a href="https://tamagotchi.fandom.com/wiki/Tamagotchi_(franchise)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">November</a>—first launched in the U.S.,<span> </span><em>Wired</em><span> </span>dismissed the toy,<span> </span><a href="https://www.wired.com/1997/08/tama-hackers-play-god-catch-hell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claiming it</a><span> </span>“borrowed all the gimmickry of 1970s' Pet Rock kitsch and gave it a digital facelift.” Yet within a year of its release, the toy became a billion-dollar global sensation. At the peak of the Tamagotchi craze, stores sold out in hours and scammers preyed on shoppers’ desperation,<span> </span><a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/050397gadget.html?action=click&contentCollection=meter-links-click&contentId=&mediaId=&module=meter-Links&pgtype=article&priority=true&referrer=&version=meter+at+null" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charging marked-up prices for coupons</a><span> </span>that could never be redeemed.</p>
<p>Today, many of the ‘90s kids who were once scolded for surreptitiously tending their Tamagotchi during class are rediscovering their nostalgia for the toy’s unique gameplay and endlessly collectible variations. To date, Japanese toy company Bandai has released<span> </span><a href="https://tamagotchi.fandom.com/wiki/Category:List_of_all_Tamagotchi_Releases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than 60 additional Tamagotchi toys, games and apps</a>, including collaborations with franchises such as Pac-Man, Pokémon and Godzilla. In 2017,<span> </span><a href="https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/10/16449938/tamagotchi-release-2017-price-date" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the original Tamagotchi was relaunched</a><span> </span>on the 20th anniversary of its original U.S. release. And 2021 has seen multiple new Tamagotchi drops, including a Tamagotchi<span> </span><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/18/22539826/tamagotchi-smart-watch-digital-pet-25th-anniversary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smartwatch</a><span> </span>that launched in Japan in June and the<span> </span><a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bandai-america-launches-tamagotchi-pix-301272916.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tamagotchi Pix</a>, a camera-equipped handheld device with a color screen that arrived in North America in July.</p>
<p>Most toys experience ebbs and flows of popularity, and Tamagotchi is no different. But online, a dedicated fan base has remained steadily devoted. Bunda is an active member of Tamagotchi Facebook groups, where she helps fellow fans price their collections and spot scams. Sometimes, players start “group hatches,” meaning they start a new Tamagotchi at the same time and share updates of their progress. “It’s so fun,” she says. She also regularly posts videos to her<span> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR-bhf7shay5TPlnk2vzu6g" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube channel</a>, where she helps thousands of subscribers translate Japanese Tamagotchis.</p>
<h2><strong>The Birth of Tamagotchi</strong></h2>
<p>The story of Tamagotchi began in the Toshima City ward of northwest<span> </span><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/7318332" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tokyo</a>, when toy executive Akihiro Yokoi was struck by inspiration. As<span> </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/07/world/hatchling-of-pet-lover-is-the-rage-of-toylands.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yokoi</a><span> </span>explained to the<span> </span><em>New York Times</em>, the jolt came from an advertisement in which a boy wasn’t allowed to bring his pet turtle on vacation. An owner of “a dog, three cats, two parrots, and several beetles and other insects,” Yokoi identified with the boy’s longing. If it wasn’t always possible to take living pets along, he reasoned, why not bring a virtual one?</p>
<p>The origin story has an apocryphal quality. Was the advertisement selling turtles? Vacations? Did it exist at all? “No matter where I look I cannot find what the TV commercial was about or even if there was such [a] commercial in the first place,”<span> </span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/tamagotchi/comments/jnip6b/pet_turtle_commercial_and_july_1997_lecture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one Redditor complained</a><span> </span>just a year ago.</p>
<p>Regardless, Yokoi was president of<span> </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/07/world/hatchling-of-pet-lover-is-the-rage-of-toylands.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wiz Co., Ltd.</a>, a creative firm where 42 employees, most in their early 20s, designed and pitched toy concepts to larger companies. Handheld games had been around since Mattel launched single-game consoles in<span> </span><a href="https://www.engadget.com/2006-03-03-a-brief-history-of-handheld-video-games.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1977</a>—but early portable consoles were too expensive for most players, says cultural historian<span> </span><a href="https://www.iit.edu/directory/people/carly-kocurek" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carly Kocurek</a>, who specializes in new media technologies and video gaming at the Illinois Institute of Technology. “It had gotten a lot more affordable to make inexpensive, small electronics,” Kocurek explains.</p>
<p>In 1977, the Atari 2600 was a major purchase at<span> </span><a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/15/the-real-cost-of-gaming-inflation-time-and-purchasing-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$199.99</a>—the equivalent of $917.21 today. By 1989, Nintendo’s Game Boy retailed for<span> </span><a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/15/the-real-cost-of-gaming-inflation-time-and-purchasing-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$89.99</a>, or $201.71 when adjusted for inflation. A major element of Tamagotchis’ popularity was the fact that at $15 to $17 apiece practically anyone could afford to purchase one. Coupled with the success of the single-player<span> </span><a href="https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/games/franchise/168-petz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Petz</a><span> </span>video games in 1995, Tamagotchi’s simple technology—a black and white LCD screen, a tiny battery and a few rudimentary buttons—was designed for mass production, laying the groundwork for what would become a<span> </span><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-golden-age-of-virtual-pets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">golden age of virtual pets</a>.</p>
<p>Yokoi contacted Aki Maita, who worked on marketing at Bandai, next. Though it was well-established as Japan’s leading toy company, Bandai had struggled to gain a foothold in American toy stores until<span> </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/12/business/morphing-into-the-toy-world-s-top-ranks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1993</a>, when its Mighty Morphin Power Rangers became a surprise hit at the North American International Toy Fair, a major trade show held annually in New York<span> </span><a href="https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2019/02/19/new-york-tradition-since-1903" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since 1903</a>. Working with Maita and Wiz Co.’s staff, Yokoi initially envisioned the toy as a wearable wristwatch and dubbed it Tamagotchi—a<span> </span><a href="https://www.maize.io/magazine/tamagotchi-story/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mash-up</a><span> </span>of<span> </span><em>tamago</em><span> </span>(egg) and<span> </span><em>uotchi</em><span> </span>(watch)—but later switched to a keychain design. During one memorable meeting, a designer quickly sketched a blobby character, and it stuck.</p>
<p><span>Then came the gameplay. Tamagotchi was programmed to evolve in response to the player’s caretaking decisions. The device would beep at real-time intervals, demanding that the player feed, clean up and even discipline the pet. Proper parenting would result in a well-mannered adult Tamagotchi, while inattention would result in a delinquent. And just like a real animal, if ignored, a Tamagotchi would die—triggering a tombstone in Japanese versions of the game, or a </span><a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/052297gadget.html?scp=8&sq=wings%252520of%252520forever&st=cse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">euphemism</a><span> about returning to its home planet for Americans.</span></p>
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<p>Within weeks of Tamagotchi’s U.S. release—enough time for players to experience the game’s love and loss—some parents became unsettled by their children’s hysterical tears or sudden depression upon their virtual pets’ deaths. "The toy creates a real sense of loss and a mourning process," Andrew Cohen, a psychologist at the Dalton School in Manhattan, told the<span> </span><a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/052297gadget.html?scp=8&sq=wings%252520of%252520forever&st=cse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>New York Times</em></a><span> </span>in 1997. "Kids want to nurture and take care of pets—it gives them a feeling of empowerment and self-importance—but here the consequences are too high. It's out of control."</p>
<p>But to Kocurek, there’s no reason that play can’t include elements of grief, loss or other complicated emotions. “Children experience a huge range of human emotions,” Kocurek points out. “I think sometimes we forget that they're people, and they're not just simple and happy all the time. They actually have complex emotional lives, just like everyone else.”</p>
<p>Maita championed the toy to Bandai’s skeptical salespeople. “Their reaction was dull, like, 'What's so fun about this?'” Maita later told the<span> </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/07/world/hatchling-of-pet-lover-is-the-rage-of-toylands.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>New York Times</em></a>. “In fact, we had difficulty marketing it to toy shops. Not all of them placed orders with us.” But in focus groups, Japanese teen girls—“the marketing pulse of the nation”—loved it.</p>
<p><span>The girls’ taste proved right. In less than six months, </span><a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/050397gadget.html?action=click&contentCollection=meter-links-click&contentId=&mediaId=&module=meter-Links&pgtype=article&priority=true&referrer=&version=meter+at+null" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bandai sold 5 million Tamagotchi in Japan</a><span>. The toy sold out so quickly that Japanese shoppers began camping outside toy stores or shelling out hundreds on the resale market. In </span><a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/050397gadget.html?action=click&contentCollection=meter-links-click&contentId=&mediaId=&module=meter-Links&pgtype=article&priority=true&referrer=&version=meter+at+null" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March 1997</a><span>, Bandai announced that it would gift a Tamagotchi to anyone who owned 1,000 shares of its stock—and the price leapt by 60 yen the next day.</span></p>
<p>In the U.S., Tamagotchi was an instant hit. On the first day of sales, May 1, 1997, San Francisco’s<span> </span><a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/050397gadget-side.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">F.A.O. Schwartz sold its entire stock of 3,000 by 3:00 p.m</a>. By noon the next day, the department store’s New York flagship had sold its initial 10,000 Tamagotchi, too. Tamagotchi quickly became a hot toy around the globe, with sales increasing to<span> </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/07/world/hatchling-of-pet-lover-is-the-rage-of-toylands.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than 70 million</a><span> </span>by September across<span> </span><a href="https://www.wired.com/1997/08/tama-hackers-play-god-catch-hell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japan, China, Europe and the United States</a>. Yokoi and Maita were awarded the<span> </span><a href="https://www.improbable.com/2021/04/29/ig-nobel-prize-winning-tamagotchi-returns-in-yet-another-new-form/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">satirical Ig Nobel Prize</a><span> </span>that year, “for turning millions of work hours into lost time taking care of virtual pets.”</p>
<p>Tamagotchi’s universal popularity occurred in spite of the way the toy was marketed to consumers. “When Tamagotchi was first released, it was marketed to girls—really<em><span> </span></em>aggressively,” Kocurek says. “There’s all kinds of assumptions about who wants to do caretaking play that aren’t necessarily born out.” Though children of all genders clamored for Tamagotchi, these same stereotypes persist today. Kocurek cites<span> </span><a href="https://www.crazygames.com/game/diner-dash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diner Dash</a><span> </span>as a classic example of a game that, like Tamagotchi, focused on intense time and resource management—and was primarily marketed to women.</p>
<p>Beyond its marketing, Tamagotchi was also relentlessly present, building a fear of missing out directly into the gameplay. “Tamagotchi is premised on you being available in an ongoing way—which is really different from a lot of other types of games and play,” Kocurek says.</p>
<h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Today, Collectors Keep Tamagotchi Alive</strong></span></h2>
<p>The average lifespan of a well-cared for Tamagotchi is about<span> </span><a href="https://tamagotchi.fandom.com/wiki/Death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">12 days</a>—and like the virtual pet itself, the Tamagotchi was a relatively short-lived fad among American shoppers.<span> </span><a href="https://www.insider.com/popular-christmas-toys-2016-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Furbies</a>, the fuzzy bird-like robot toys<span> </span><a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/577688/furby-myths-people-believed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">supposedly capable of learning human speech</a>, overtook Tamagotchi by the following holiday season.</p>
<p>Though the toy industry continued to churn out other trends, some players never stopped paying attention to Tamagotchi. To outsiders, caring for a virtual pet might seem like a lonely endeavor—but for collectors and fans, it’s easy to find community online. On TamaTalk, for example, approximately<span> </span><a href="https://www.tamatalk.com/members/list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">96,000 members</a><span> </span>gather online to<span> </span><a href="https://www.theringer.com/2017/3/27/16038420/tamagotchi-collectors-bandai-digital-pets-9b946143c747" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trade gameplay tips and commemorate past pets through obituaries</a>.</p>
<p>Jordan, who streams on Twitch under the handle<span> </span><a href="https://www.twitch.tv/rozoken" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rozoken</a><span> </span>and asked to go by first name only, has been following Tamagotchi’s new releases since 1997. “I started collecting a lot more as an adult, because I got involved in the community and I would learn about all of the special Japanese releases,” he says. Today, his collection has grown to include more than 200 Tamagotchis, including rarities that were never released in the U.S. He’s even tracked down Japanese wall-mounted store models that once dispensed exclusive digital downloads. “Usually, those wouldn't end up in the public's hands, but quite a few times, they do,” he says. “Those are really cool collection pieces.”</p>
<p>On eBay, vintage Tamagotchi prices vary wildly, from $1.50 for an original Tamagotchi to a $5,000<span> </span><a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/333486413463?hash=item4da556d697:g:ScIAAOSwyaNeJXpo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mobile Kaitsu! Tamagotchi Plus</a><span> </span>that ships from Tokyo. But Bunda says the barrier to entry is surprisingly low for collectors—especially among collectors in Facebook communities. “Genuine Tamagotchi are usually $20 to maybe upwards of $150, depending on the shell,” she says. “Some people might pay more, if it's new in the box.”</p>
<p>That may change as Bandai continues to cash in on ‘90s nostalgia. Bunda has noticed new members joining her Facebook groups in droves, and Jordan says he’s seen a spike in interest, too. “It was pretty shocking, actually,” he says. He had recently completed a major milestone of his collection—owning one of every specific version of Tamagotchi, in Japanese and English—when “everything at least doubled in price.”</p>
<p>The pandemic may be behind some of this, as<span> </span><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/during-covid-19-pandemic-avid-collectors-find-joy-in-their-prized-possessions-180976281/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">people seek comfort in nostalgia</a><span> </span>and find ways to occupy themselves at home. But Bunda and Jordan also point out that Tamagotchi’s steady drip of new releases and relaunches renews its popularity. Though vintage Tamagotchis grow scarcer each year, it’s still easy to walk into any box store with a toy aisle and discover a brand-new Tamagotchi for around $20. In this way, Tamagotchi has achieved the kind of immortality awarded to toys that transcend their one big moment.</p>
<p>“Life isn't as magical as it was when I was a kid,” Bunda says. “But playing Tamagotchi—and buying more Tamagotchi—brings that magic into my life.”</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/keeping-tamagotchi-alive-180979264/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/keeping-tamagotchi-alive-180979264/</a></em></span></p>
<p></p> The Collectors Who Hunt Down Radioactive Glasswaretag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2021-05-23:6363372:Topic:35949322021-05-23T18:19:25.300ZCarmen Elsa Irarragorri Wylandhttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWyland
<h2 class="ArticleHeader__subtitle"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Their tools are black lights and Geiger counters.</span></h2>
<div class="ArticleHeader__end-matter"><div class="ArticleHeader__byline-dateline"><span class="ArticleHeader__byline">BY<span> </span><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/users/amiee-maxwell?view=articles">AMIEE MAXWELL</a></span><span class="ArticleHeader__pub-date">MAY 17, 2021…</span></div>
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<h2 class="ArticleHeader__subtitle"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Their tools are black lights and Geiger counters.</span></h2>
<div class="ArticleHeader__end-matter"><div class="ArticleHeader__byline-dateline"><span class="ArticleHeader__byline">BY<span> </span><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/users/amiee-maxwell?view=articles">AMIEE MAXWELL</a></span><span class="ArticleHeader__pub-date">MAY 17, 2021</span></div>
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<div class="SocialLinks" style="text-align: left;"><p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;"><span class="section-start-text">IN JANUARY OF 2021, A<span> </span></span>New Jersey teenager brought a piece of an antique Fiestaware plate to a high-school science class. The student had received a Geiger counter, an instrument used to measure radiation, for Christmas, and wanted to do an experiment. When the plate registered as radioactive, someone at the school panicked and called in a hazmat team. The entire school was evacuated, and those in the nuclear science field were aghast.</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf mob-anchor-medrec" style="text-align: left;">But thousands of similarly radioactive plates and cups can be found in antique stores, thrift shops, and possibly your own kitchen cabinets. Radioactive antiques have a long history, as well as a certain glow that is highly desired by some collectors today.</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf mob-anchor-medrec" style="text-align: left;"><span>The scientists dismayed by the events at Haddon Township High School were not upset that someone had brought in a radioactive plate. They thought school administrators had overreacted. When it comes to radiological hazards, says health physicist Phil Broughton, “There is a world of difference between detectable and dangerous.”</span></p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf mob-anchor-medrec" style="text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8959386064?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8959386064?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" class="align-center"/></a></span></p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf mob-anchor-medrec" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Uranium glass is also known as canary glass due to this common canary-yellow color. <a class="caption-credit" target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COnlAhQgMF-/" rel="noopener">COURTESY OF DAN AND LISA SAWYER/THE_GLOWING_GLASS_GUY_</a></span></p>
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<p class="item-body-text-graf mob-anchor-medrec" style="text-align: left;"><span>Prior to World War II, and well before its potential for energy or weaponry was recognized, uranium was commonly used as a coloring agent in everything from plates, glasses, and punch bowls to vases, candlesticks, and beads. Uranium glass mosaics existed <a href="https://www.chemeurope.com/en/encyclopedia/Uranium_glass.html">as early as 79 AD</a>.</span></p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;">Also known as canary or vaseline glass, uranium glass is typically yellow or green in color and glows bright green under a black light. Shades can range from a translucent canary yellow to an opaque milky white depending on how much uranium is added to the glass, from just a trace to upwards of 25 percent. Uranium was also used in the glaze of orange-red Fiestaware, also known as “radioactive red,” prior to 1944, and was once a common sight in American kitchens.</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;">Although uranium glassware does register on a handheld Geiger counter, the radiation amounts are considered negligible and on par with radiation emitted from other everyday items such as smoke detectors and cell phones. In response to the school evacuation, 50 scientists signed a letter stating that Fiestaware “is among the most benign radioactive materials commonly found in the home” and applauding the student for his curiosity.</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;"><span>Broughton says that people in his field hunt for uranium-containing Fiestaware all the time. “It’s pretty, and it’s a great check source,” he says. By that, he means that having a Fiestaware plate, a reliable source of radiation, is handy for making sure your radiation-detection meter is working. And It’s not just nuclear scientists that get excited about uranium glass. For some </span><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/depression-era-glassware-colorful">depression-era glassware collectors</a><span>, the only color that matters is glow-in-the-dark.</span></p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;">Dan and Lisa Sawyers’ interest in radium glass began when they were scouring the shores of Lake Superior for<span> </span><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/rocks-that-glow">fluorescent sodalites</a>, unremarkable-looking gray rocks that contain minerals that glow under UV light. While combing the beach with a blacklight at night, they found a strange piece of sea glass that glowed under UV light. They were initially puzzled, until they discovered it was uranium glass. They’ve been hooked ever since.</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;">The Sawyers began searching through thrift stores and antique shops for any items that fluoresced under a blacklight. Uranium glass items are readily available online, but they say it is more fun to find them “in the wild.” They’ve bought intricately carved serving dishes, kitschy souvenir cups, glowing marbles, and, one of their personal favorites, a bird-shaped salt dip. When I asked Dan if he gets weird looks when poking around shops with a black light, he says, “Yes, at times, but it depends where I shop.” Some in-the-know antique stores have blacklight displays. At another, Dan says, he shined a blacklight and watched the entire store light up. The owner immediately marked up those items’ prices.</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8959389089?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8959389089?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Dan and Lisa Sawyer’s cabinet of uranium glass. <a class="caption-credit" target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CO482OcArRA/" rel="noopener">COURTESY OF DAN AND LISA SAWYER/THE_GLOWING_GLASS_GUY_</a></span></p>
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<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;"><span>Dan says places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill are gold mines—or uranium mines—for the stuff. “Kids are inheriting grandma’s old glassware and it goes straight to Goodwill.” If you have inherited any yellow or green antique glassware, there’s a good chance it glows.</span></p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;">Some collectors hunt uranium glass using Geiger counters. “The higher the radiation count, the more they like it,” says Dan. But he’s mainly into the glow. He’s also intrigued by how everything seemed to have its own dish in the early 1900s. He’s found a whipped-topping uranium glass dish with a matching spoon and a dish specifically for mayonnaise with a matching flat-bottomed spoon. “I can’t imagine what place settings would have looked like back then with all this green glass sitting out,” says Dan.</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;">The Sawyers have accumulated more than 200 pieces of uranium glass, yet say their collection will probably wind up back in circulation at a thrift store someday. “What’s the chance one of our three kids will want this stuff shipped across the country?” says Dan. “Very doubtful.”</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8959397698?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8959397698?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<span style="font-size: 8pt;">A uranium glass teacup and saucer under ultraviolet light. <span class="caption-credit">PANTHER MEDIA GMBH / ALAMY</span></span><br />
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<span class="caption-credit"><span>Uranium glass fell out of production in the United States during World War II when all uranium use was restricted to nuclear-weapons development. After the war, says Phil Broughton, it was no longer the cheapest green colorant available, and the amount of paperwork required to work with uranium in the United States dissuaded most glassworkers. He knows of uranium glassblowers in Germany, England, and New Zealand, but they mainly create glass art rather than glassware sets.</span></span><br />
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<p class="item-body-text-graf" style="text-align: left;">Increased awareness and alarm over the dangers of radiation, says Broughton, also gave rise to a radiation-safety principle called ALARA, an acronym meaning As Low As Reasonably Achievable. “Although the amount of uranium you’ll leach out of a uranium glass is pathetically small,” he says, “as a general rule, [you] don’t uptake radioactive material you don’t have to do.” In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends not eating or drinking out of uranium glassware at all.</p>
<p class="item-body-text-graf item-body-last">“If people want to collect uranium glass and Fiestaware, that’s fine, it’s the radium-containing products that we’d really prefer people don’t collect,” says Broughton. Unlike uranium glass, these items are highly radioactive and harmful. As a health physicist, he feels it is part of his job to make sure the public understands the difference. As for uranium glass, he says, there’s much to appreciate. “It’s green, it looks awesome under UV light, and since it’s effectively crystal, really good artists can make some gorgeous works out of it.”</p>
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<p class="item-body-text-graf item-body-last" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/uranium-glass-radioactive-plates-cups" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/uranium-glass-radioactive-plates-cups</a></em></span></p>
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</div> 20 Christmas Collectibles: From Novel to Vintagetag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-12-09:6363372:Topic:35525502020-12-09T21:01:16.469ZCarmen Elsa Irarragorri Wylandhttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWyland
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<h2>Types of Holiday Collectibles</h2>
<p>The items people inherit, save, and purchase to add to their collection each year are personal. What appeals to one person may not appeal to another. It used to be that adding to a Christmas collection was challenging, especially if you were looking for vintage or discontinued items. Today, it's easier than…</p>
<h2><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8267335453?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8267335453?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></h2>
<h2>Types of Holiday Collectibles</h2>
<p>The items people inherit, save, and purchase to add to their collection each year are personal. What appeals to one person may not appeal to another. It used to be that adding to a Christmas collection was challenging, especially if you were looking for vintage or discontinued items. Today, it's easier than ever to find holiday collectibles, thanks to year-round holiday shopping on the internet and online auction sites like eBay and Etsy.</p>
<h3>Trains</h3>
<p>Many people have treasured memories of lying on the floor beneath a Christmas tree watching a train go round and round a track. As a result, trains are popular Christmas collectibles. According to the<span> </span><a href="http://nttmuseum.org/abouttoytrains/index.shtml">National Toy Train Museum</a>, toy trains were introduced in Europe in the 1860s. In 1901, the popular Lionel company made its first electric train to display in storefront windows. From there, many manufacturers such as American Flyer, Ives, LGB, and Marklin jumped on the model train track so to speak and made model trains for consumers.</p>
<p>Today, people collect both antique toy trains and contemporary trains. Train sets may be simple or elaborate. They're often surrounded by meticulously created landscapes which include faux trees, bushes, and even people. Toy trains are for sale at many toy stores, including Toys R Us. If you're interested in<span> </span><a href="https://antiques.lovetoknow.com/how-do-i-find-value-antique-toy-train">antique trains</a>, you'll find many options online. Try eBay or<span> </span><a href="http://www.trainstoysandhobbies.com/index.htm">Trains, Toys, and Hobbies</a>. Both offer hard-to-find, discontinued trains and accessories.</p>
<p>Lionel Trains is still in business after 115 years. They offer a huge selection of trains for both beginner and experienced collectors. Visit their<span> </span><a href="http://www.lionel.com/">website</a><span> </span>to learn which trains may be right for your collection.</p>
<p>Model trains and train sets vary in cost. For example, a<span> </span><a href="http://amzn.to/2k7iwdz" rel="nofollow">MOTA Classic Holiday Christmas train set</a><span> </span>costs about $60 and the<span> </span><a href="http://www.lionel.com/products/the-polar-expresstm-flyerchief-ready-to-run-set-6-49632">Lionel Polar Express train set</a><span> </span>costs about $400. If you prefer to create your own set, the price of individual engines and boxcars also varies. Most start at around $50. Track sets costs about $25 and up. If you buy online, shipping costs may apply.</p>
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<h3>Jim Shore Christmas Figurines</h3>
<p>Jim Shore is an award-winning artist of American folk art inspired figurines. His grandmother was a master quilter who influenced his designs. In 2001, Jim partnered with Enesco to make his figurines more accessible. They've been sought after since.</p>
<p>Jim's figurines are made of resin and feature vibrant colors. Choices include angels, Santas, snowmen, the Holy Family, animals, Disney characters, and characters from beloved holiday classic movies. Some figurines are musical while others light up. Prices range from about $6 for a small ornament to around $350 for an impressive two-foot Santa.<span> </span><a href="https://jimshore.com/collections/christmas?dir=desc&order=price">Buy Jim Shore figurines online</a>, through<span> </span><a href="http://www.qvc.com/for-the-home/jim-shore/_/N-lgluZ1z141e8/c.html?redirectTerm=jim+shore">QVC</a>, or at many department stores and Hallmark stores.</p>
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<h3>Department 56 Villages</h3>
<p>Department 56 came on the scene in 1976 after a group of friends created a lighted, ceramic<span> </span><a href="https://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Village_Displays" title="Christmas Village Display Ideas: Guide to Your Ideal Set-Up">Christmas village</a><span> </span>inspired by a walk through a quiet river town. The friends soon built upon their Original Snow Village with new houses and accessories. Over the years, Department 56 has recreated popular historical characters and movies ranging from the town of Bethlehem and Christ's birth to the cherished family holiday films,<span> </span><a href="https://www.department56.com/category/villages/a+christmas+story+village.do">A Christmas Story</a><span> </span>and<span> </span><a href="https://www.department56.com/category/villages/elf+the+movie.do">Elf</a>.</p>
<p>If you're a new collector, Department 56 villages are a great option since you can start with a single piece and add to the collection each year. There's something for everyone, no matter your interests or decor. You can find Department 56 pieces at many department stores, Christmas specialty shops such as<span> </span><a href="https://www.christmastreehill.com/department56.html">Christmas Tree Hill</a>, and online. Prices vary greatly, depending on the village and the item. Full-size buildings may cost about $80 to upwards of $150. Accessories cost around $25 and up. Shipping costs may apply when ordered online.</p>
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<h3>Possible Dreams Santas</h3>
<p>Santa Claus is an iconic symbol of Christmas. The<span> </span><a href="https://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Santa" title="Santa">history of Santa Claus</a><span> </span>dates back to the 4th century and the patron saint of children, Saint Nicholas. But it wasn't until Clement Clark Moore penned<span> </span><em>The Night Before Christmas</em><span> </span>that the Santa we know and love today became popular. Santa Claus figurines are available in all shapes and sizes, but Possible Dreams Santas stand out from the crowd as high-quality collectibles.</p>
<p>Possible Dreams Santas have been around since 1985. They've been part of the Department 56 family since 2005. The Santas are made from a stiffened fabric known as Clothtique. They're known for their expressive, detailed faces, vibrant colors, and realistic costumes and accessories. Look for Possible Dreams Santas in department stores and Hallmark stores. You can also find them online at<span> </span><a href="https://www.department56.com/category/possible+dreams.do">Department 56</a>,<span> </span><a href="https://www.christmastreehill.com/posdreamsan.html">Christmas Tree Hill</a>, and<span> </span><a href="https://www.bronners.com/category/collectibles/possible-dreams-santas.do">Bronners</a>. The price of a Possible Dreams Santa is about $60 and up, plus shipping where applicable.</p>
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<h3>Nutcrackers</h3>
<p>According to the<span> </span><a href="http://www.nutcrackermuseum.com/history.htm">Nutcracker Museum,</a><span> </span>nutcrackers started out as utilitarian tools with no artistic appeal. But by the 15th and 16 centuries, elaborate nutcrackers made of boxwood were being made. The painted, standing nutcrackers that are popular collectibles today were first sold commercially in Germany in the late 1800s. Today, collectors can find nutcrackers in a huge range of sizes, shapes, and characters.</p>
<p>The most sought after<span> </span><a href="https://christmas.lovetoknow.com/German_Christmas_Decorations" title="German Christmas Decorations">nutcrackers hail from Germany</a><span> </span>from companies such as<span> </span><a href="https://www.ulbricht.com/e/history">Christian Ulbricht</a>, Erzgebirge-Palace and Simply<span> </span><a href="http://www.simplysteinbach.com/">Steinbach</a>. You may also find nutcrackers at most department stores, drugstores, big box stores, and even dollar stores. Prices vary widely by size, subject, and manufacturer. Expect to pay about $10 for a small, mass manufactured nutcracker to several hundred dollars or more for a larger nutcracker handmade in Germany. Shipping costs may apply when ordered online.</p>
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<h3>Nativity Scenes</h3>
<p>For Christians, nativities showcase the reason for the season. Most Christian homes have at least one<span> </span><a href="https://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Nativity_Sets" title="Christmas Nativity Sets">nativity set</a><span> </span>prominently displayed throughout the Christmas season. According to<span> </span><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-first-nativity-scene-was-created-in-1223-161485505/?no-ist">Smithsonian.com</a>, St. Francis of Assisi showcased the first nativity in 1223. He used real animals and real people to depict the nativity story. Today, most nativity sets are small enough to fit on a mantel and are made of resin or porcelain. They usually include the Holy family, a shepherd or two, an angel, three Magi, and donkeys, sheep, and cows.</p>
<p>A nativity collection often features nativities made of different art mediums, materials, and sizes. You may choose to collect only nativity scenes housed in a traditional creche or you may add other types of nativities such as a<span> </span><a href="https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3764123/nativity-musical-snow-globe-table-decor.jsp?skuid=76403128&ci_mcc=ci&utm_campaign=TRIM-A-TREE&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=76403128&CID=shopping15&utm_campaignid=196833932&pid=googleadwords_int&af_channel=CSE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwOCVkae55gIVTv7jBx0hJQiNEAQYASABEgJy5PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">snowglobe</a><span> </span>to your collection. Nativity scenes are easy to find. Most department stores, big box stores, and drugstores sell them during the Christmas season. They may also be found online.<span> </span><a href="https://www.bronners.com/category/nativity-scenes.do">Bronner's Christmas Wonderland</a><span> </span>has a nice selection. Like most Christmas collectibles, nativity scenes may cost a little or a lot. For example, an<span> </span><a href="https://www.wayfair.com/holiday-decor/pdp/the-holiday-aisle-led-holy-family-in-stable-nativity-scene-decoration-w002314548.html">LED nativity scene</a><span> </span>from Wayfair costs around $33, plus shipping. A<span> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fontanini-Roman-Centennial-Nativity-Italian/dp/B000FRNVNG/ref=sxin_0_ac_d_pm?ac_md=4-2-QWJvdmUgJDEwMA%3D%3D-ac_d_pm&keywords=Fontanini+nativity&pd_rd_i=B000FRNVNG&pd_rd_r=a311faa3-8d0e-435b-9f16-03aeda7aef67&pd_rd_w=LVkXG&pd_rd_wg=FBUpE&pf_rd_p=aba5dc0d-7593-4752-a14d-357ecc5c98cc&pf_rd_r=36YPTY5989S170D8SXP4&psc=1&qid=1576470076&s=home-garden&tag=lov0f6-20" rel="nofollow">Fontanini nativity scene</a><span> </span>is about $170, plus shipping.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8267336452?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8267336452?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<h3>Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments</h3>
<p>When Hallmark introduced their first Keepsake Ornaments collection in 1973, a new Christmas collectible was born. There are more than 100 ornament series that center on themes. Ornaments are only available for a limited time which makes them popular for collectors around the globe.</p>
<p>Keepsake ornaments are available in a variety of materials such as wood, resin, porcelain, acrylic, and bone china. Some subjects include traditional Santas, churches, and angels, along with milestone birthday or year ornaments, and plenty of themed ornaments, like birds. Ornaments are also available for popular movies, Disney characters, toys, and books. Many have animation, lights, and music. Some parents and grandparents start ornament collections for their children and grandchildren.</p>
<p>Hallmark ornaments are available at<span> </span><a href="https://www.hallmark.com/ornaments/keepsake-ornaments/">Hallmark stores</a><span> </span>and some department stores such as Kohl's. They cost about $8 for a mini ornament and around $13 and up for larger options. Shipping may apply when you order online. Sellers on eBay and other auction sites usually offer discontinued ornaments. Prices vary by seller but you can often bid on ornament lots for a discounted price.</p>
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<h3>Byers' Choice Carolers</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.byerschoice.com/carolers.html">Byers' Choice</a><span> </span>caroler figurines harness the nostalgia of going Christmas caroling on a crisp, wintry night. They came about in 1960 when artist Joyce Byer made a Christmas decoration that reflected her traditional Christmas memories. The original carolers were made of scrap fabric, clay, paint, and some of Joyce Byer's sons' hair. Today, there are more than 80 artisans who make the beloved carolers.</p>
<p>Many Byers' Choice figurines have a Victorian or colonial feel and wear elaborate clothing representative of those eras. All carolers have a trademark, O-shaped mouth and most carry props. Some themes include the 12 Days of Christmas, characters from<span> </span><em>A Christmas Carol</em>, and caroling families. Some subjects include the Holy family, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and men, women, and children.</p>
<p>Many people display Byers' Choice figurines among a Christmas village. You can find current figurines online, at Christmas Tree Hill shops, and at many upscale department stores. Retired carolers are popular items on eBay and other auction sites. The cost of carolers varies by size and subject but start at around $60, plus shipping, if applicable.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8267336664?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8267336664?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<h3>Vintage Christmas Decorations</h3>
<p>If you have a few treasured Christmas ornaments or figurines from your childhood, you have the makings of a<span> </span><a href="https://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Vintage_Christmas" title="Vintage Christmas">vintage Christmas</a><span> </span>collection. All things vintage are all the rage these days, especially if they relate to Christmas. Vintage Christmas items are available, affordable, and fun to collect. Some popular vintage collectibles are:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Shiny Brite ornaments:</strong><span> </span>These ornaments were first produced in the late 1930s. They were made in America, coated with silver nitrate, and decorated in vivid colors.</li>
<li><strong>Christmas cards:</strong><span> </span>Holiday greeting cards with vintage images are sought after collectibles. They were made from paper not heavy card stock, so many didn't survive the decades.</li>
<li><strong>Wrapping paper:</strong><span> </span>The colors on vintage wrapping paper were less vibrant than what you find today, but that's what makes them appealing to many collectors. Most vintage wrapping paper is flat wrap.</li>
<li><div class="image right"></div>
<strong>Candles:</strong><span> </span>Sought-after vintage Christmas candle collectibles include plastic candelabras and<span> </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/gurley_candles">Gurley figural candles</a><span> </span>such as carolers, Santa, reindeer, trees, choir children, and snowmen.</li>
<li><strong>Icicles:</strong><span> </span>The icicles that adorned Christmas trees decades ago, also called tinsel, was thicker and heavier than icicles today. Since they were often tossed out at the end of the holiday season, new vintage icicles sealed in the box are a great find for collectors.</li>
<li><strong>Lights:</strong><span> </span>Large, chunky vintage Christmas tree lights, figural lights, bubble lights, and vintage Christmas tree star toppers are all popular Christmas collectibles. Revolving color wheels that continuously change the color of a Christmas tree are also sought after.</li>
<li><strong>Cookie jars:</strong><span> </span>No Christmas celebration is complete without cookies! Vintage cookie jars are available in many Christmas icon shapes such as Santa, Frosty the Snowmam, and Christmas trees.</li>
<li><strong>Santas:</strong><span> </span>If you're a fan of jolly Old Saint Nick, vintage Santas are available as figurines, stuffed toys, blow molds, salt and pepper shakers, mugs, and dishes.</li>
<li><strong>Candy dishes:</strong><span> </span>Vintage candy dishes may have held old fashioned ribbon candy or cut rock candy. Popular candy dish designs include Santa and his sleigh, Christmas trees, holly leaves, and snowmen.</li>
<li><strong>Aluminum Christmas trees:</strong><span> </span><a href="https://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Aluminum_Christmas_Tree" title="Aluminum Christmas Trees: Options & Tips">Aluminum Christmas trees</a>, with their sparkling silver branches, came on the scene in the mid 1900s. They phased out of popularity a couple decades later, but are enjoying a rebirth as a vintage collectible.</li>
<li><strong>Wreaths:</strong><span> </span>Plastic, faux greenery wreaths decked out with Christmas balls, plastic bows, and plastic bells are making a name in the collectible realm. Wreaths made entirely of vintage ornaments are also popular.</li>
<li><strong>Cardboard houses:</strong><span> </span>Tiny, intricate cardboard houses made by the<span> </span><a href="https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/guest-column-a-history-of-dimestore-christmas-village-houses/">Putz company</a><span> </span>in Japan are delightful decorations. Most are covered in mica "snow," and some feature mini bottle brush trees.</li>
</ul>
<p>The best place to find vintage collectibles is Grandma's attic or your parent's basement. If you can't find what you're looking for, most antique stores have vintage holiday decorations. Sellers on both eBay and Etsy offer tens of thousands of vintage collectibles at any given time. Craft shows, estate sales, and garage sales are also great places to find vintage items.</p>
<p>The price of vintage collectibles varies by subject, age, and condition. Since many vintage items can be found in antique shops and garage sales, you just might negotiate a great deal.</p>
<h2>Make Memories and Traditions</h2>
<p>Most people have at least one Christmas collection. New collectors have many collectibles options to choose from. You may start a collection for sentimental reasons to recreate fond family memories. Or it might be all about the thrill of the hunt to find a specific item. The beauty of any collection is that you make it your own by purchasing items you love. Whatever your reason for starting a holiday collection, it's an enjoyable way to adorn your home and create holiday traditions to last a lifetime and beyond.</p>
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