On August 18th Upper Deck released their 2003 MLB Honor Roll cards. 130 regular player cards include: "Dean's List" Game-Used Jersey Cards, "Leather of Distinction" Game-Used Glove Cards, "Grade A" Batting Glove Cards, "Silver Honors" Parallel Cards and "Gold Honors" Parallel Cards.
MLB Honor Roll
Also released this past week is Upper Deck Victory Basketball, sporting an all-new look. Victory Basketball gives collectors a first-hand look at this year's exciting crop of talented rookies including LeBron James, Darko Milicic and Carmelo Anthony.
Victory Basketball
01:57 PM #
This week sports card expert Michael Eisner shares his thoughts on the 2003 Leaf Certified release - "jam-packed with autographed and memorabilia inserts". He's also pretty happy with another Donruss release - "Timeless Treasures carries on the tradition of top-notch high-end Donruss products". Find out more from Mike on Eisner's Sports Card Picks.
01:50 PM #
The release of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tins will be the last time the newly-retired Booster Packs (Metal Raiders, Magic Ruler, Pharaoh's Servant, Labrinth of Nightmare, and Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon) will be available in retail and hobby outlets nationwide. . . .More
09:39 AM #
Every kid dreams of snow days...even big kids!! Exciting childhood memories of snowy mornings and school delays inspired the Willy Chillhill collection. Check out the upside down snowman cookie jar and mugs--each is oversized to accomodate a few extra helpings! The soft blue and white is sure to be a hit on those cold snow days. From HC Accents, a Division of The Boyds Collection. . .More
08:31 PM #
 Rubber Ducky You're So Fine
Everytime I read about those little lost ducks floating the world's oceans, Ernie's song pops into my head. I just can't stop humming it! If you're in the New England area keep an eye out for the little animals and maybe you'll be one of those lucky $100. savings bond recipients. . . Read the Details Here
11:01 AM #
Once again it was proven to me how small a world it really is! Since I was disappointed about not finding out the correct pattern name for the depression glass sugar and creamer at the Antiques Roadshow, I decided to investigate a little further. I finally had a picture to share, so I contacted someone that I "met" years ago on Prodigy and knew was fairly active in the glass world. Yes, you guessed it, she was the one who gave me the original information!. . .More
01:42 PM #
Shown is the Fantasia pin, from the Mickey's Film Roles pin set of six. Limited edition of only 100 sets are available now on Disney's eBay auctions. . . More on Pin Set
09:14 AM #
It looks like the Holiday season has stated a little early, at least in my corner of the world. The new jars for 2003 have already started showing up -- from licensed Disney to a few pretty strange looking Halloween jars. . .More
08:41 AM #
Give me a break! Many sellers seem to think those words are necessary in the titles. But what does Rare really mean? Take a look at this humorous description of rare, hard to find and sold out! . . .Standarizing Auction Terms
08:05 PM #
Topps Signs Rickie Weeks to Autograph Deal
From Mike Eisner: "Topps announces that highly touted prospect Rickie Weeks, the second overall pick (Brewers) from this year's Amateur Baseball Draft, will be signing autographs in various upcoming Topps products. Weeks, considered one of the greatest hitters in the history of college baseball and winner of the 2003 Golden Spikes Award (College Player of the Year), will make his first appearance in the much anticipated 2003 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects as an Autographed Rookie Card".
More From Eisner >>
Bowman Chrome is Back; Topps Retired Signature
03:06 PM #
Lofty Nicholas is one of Christopher Radko's new jars for 2003. A stunning, large jar that is also musical. Nice detail with lots of gold! And it even has spectacular matching ornament. . . .Larger Views
01:18 PM #
If you were in downtown Oklahoma City on August 9th and didn't know what was going on, you would have probably thought it was the world's biggest garage sale. And judging by all that was carried in and out of the Cox Business Center, it must have been a good one! It wasn't a garage sale, but it had the same festive atmosphere. Antiques Roadshow, the most popular show on Public Television, came to Oklahoma City to see just what treasures we had in store for them. . . Read More
10:16 PM #
eBay and eMail Scams
There will always be someone around trying to separate you from your money.
I get as many emails telling me that my eBay account is being changed or my password and credit card needs to be verified, as I get Paypal email scams -- a lot!
These emails are very official looking and you might think they come from eBay. And in fact eBay might send you a letter about your account, but eBay will NEVER ask you to respond with your password, credit card or bank account information in an email.
Just like the Paypal emails, if you get something that you feel might be legitimate, log onto eBay separately, not from a link in the email, and check it out.
If you still have questions, one option is to use the Live Help area. Although it is advertised as help for Buying and Selling, I've used it to ask questions about things I couldn't find any other way.
If you do receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding the entire email to spoof@ebay.com.
If you feel that you might have given out personal information to the wrong person, immediately log onto your accounts and change the password! Then contact eBay to report the incident.
Changing your Password
Go to My eBay, click on the Preferences Tab. The Personal Information section should be right at the top. This is where you can change your ID, Password, Registration Information, etc. eBay suggests using a password that is hard to figure out, e.g. a combination of letters and numbers, or a set of words without spaces. Don't use simple words that could be figured out.
Live Help
Recently I received an email asking me to take part in a survey for eBay, I thought it might be legitimate, but a little voice kept telling me to check it out. I logged onto to eBay, and went to the live help area. After just a few minutes a "real, live" person came on and verified the survey was legitimate.
The Live Help button is right under the Smart Search link on the eBay home page. (Under the yellow box in the upper-middle part of the page). I had already spent a while looking around the eBay site for information on this survey, when I gave up and tried the Live Help. I should have tried it sooner and saved myself some time and frustration.
eBay is promising new updated web forms and easier ways to find answers to our questions, something that is long overdue.
More eBay Resources
More on Suspicious eMails
10:11 PM #
Although it's not quite "oatmeal" time yet, it's always time for Advertising Cookie Jars. As I was browsing eBay the other day, I noticed a few Quaker jars that were not clearly identified. So I dug out my old articles, decided to spruce them up a bit and three days later, finally finished the articles! So far I know of twelve different jars licensed by Quaker Oats -- am I missing any?
03:13 PM #
AuctionBytes Publishes 100th Issue of Premier Online-Auction Newsletter
August 2003, Natick, Mass. AuctionBytes is celebrating the publication of the 100th issue of AuctionBytes-Update, an email newsletter for online auction buyers and sellers.
David and Ina Steiner, founders of AuctionBytes.com, began selling on eBay 4 years ago and saw the need for a publication geared to the unique needs of entrepreneurial sellers like themselves. There are many business issues involved in setting up an online auction business, even for part-time sellers: customer service; packaging, shipping and fulfillment; inventory acquisition; accounting and more.
The first issue of AuctionBytes-Update was published on November 6, 1999. The newsletter has grown to 15,000 loyal subscribers, and the AuctionBytes Web site receives 150,000 unique visitors each month. The 100th issue of AuctionBytes-Update continues the tradition of helping online sellers be more efficient, with articles on taking better digital images of auction items; a commentary on a new eBay policy affecting long-time users; an article on pricing strategies; and more.
AuctionBytes also publishes Newsflash, a daily newsletter covering breaking news in the online auction industry. Articles inform readers of special auction promotions and policy changes, identify trends and expose fraud. The AuctionBytes Annual Collectibles Price Index has been cited in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles, and other leading publications.
AuctionBytes has struck a nerve with readers and provides a place for open discussion about industry issues. Discussion forums and "Letters from Readers" section allows people to say what's on their minds.
On August 10, the 100th issue of AuctionBytes-Update newsletter was mailed to subscribers. Readers can subscribe to this free email newsletter at http://www.auctionbytes.com.
Steiner Associates
AuctionBytes.com
PO Box 668
Natick, MA 01760
10:14 AM #
 Holybears "It's All in the Family"
Press Release: "In today’s world, the strength of the family unit is more important than ever," said Rob LeClair, owner and founder of HolyBears, Inc. "Our Family Bears™ line acknowledges and honors each individual family member as being an integral part of the family dynamics.". . . Read More
03:01 PM #
 What a Weekend!
This was one of those perfect weekends -- the kind that leaves you refreshed on Monday, but satisfied with all that was accomplished. Saturday started off going to the Antique Roadshow with a few treasures. No, I didn't find out I was rich beyond my wildest dreams, but it was very interesting. More later this week. Then in the afternoon we were off to watch our son bowl in a tournament, yes - he cashed.
Sunday afternoon was spent at Casey's in Oklahoma City, where Billy Rhodes from Radko was the main attraction. Billy was signing his Billy Bunny and, of course, regaling the crowd with his stories. It's worth going to an event just to hear him speak! I'll also be doing a short story on this later this week. Right now, I am enjoying a great Monday!
10:39 AM #
 Hurrey's Cartoon and Promotional Drinking Glass Collection
A terrific site was pointed out to me recently and it certainly qualifies as a Best of the Net. Collector John Hurrey has an impressive collection of cartoon and promotional glasses and even more impressive is the excellent way the site is laid out. It's easy to use and the pictures are great!. . .
Read More
08:18 PM #
Are you confused by Dutch or Fixed Price Auctions? Not sure how they work? Let me see if I can help explain them to you and not muddle it up even more!
Dutch Auctions
10:07 AM #
 Jody recently found this adorable Heidi Doody Marionette and a quick search has yielded no further
information on the values or when the doll was manufactured.
Heidi was Howdy's sister and according to the Howdy Doody Time, she filled in for Howdy when he needed a vacation. . . Larger Images
12:46 PM #
Suspicious eMail from eBay
If you have an eBay ID, it's most likely you've either gotten or will get a suspicious letter from eBay. It looks very official, but wants you to respond with a credit card number or bank account information. I'm sure you know by now not to ever, NEVER, give out a credit card information via an email response.
Check out the eBay Discussion board for more, official information on suspicious emails, what to do, where to forward it and steps to take to protect your credit and accounts. eBay Statements
08:32 AM #
A new addition to the Boyds family of bear artisans, Steve Schutt
has created Rupert, an antique-style design, floppy and bean-filled
and featuring tan ultrasuede paw pads and an incorporated red union
suit with paw print buttons and “drop seat.”. . .More
08:30 PM #
100 Years of Teddy Bears at Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green
Happy Birthday Teddy Bear. He may be 100 years old, but is none the worse for wear and is just as loved as ever. If you're in the U.K. this year, a visit to the Museum of Childhood in London is a must for Teddy Bear lovers.
From Carol Fisher: "It is the most comprehensive exhibition that is being staged to commemorate the centenary of the creation of the teddy bear and will include many historic bears from the Museum's own collection"
Find out more about the Bear Necessities from Fisher.
02:38 PM #
National Kid's Day, Collecting with the Kids in Your Life
Growing up we always wondered -- When was Kid's Day? After all there was Mother's Day, Father's Day and even the Groundhog had a day. Today there is a National Kid's Day, the first Sunday of August. This isn't a day about buying a gift, from Kids Day.Net: "It's a day to celebrate and honor children through the gift of meaningful time. Meaningful Time is time spent between adults and children that both consider engaging, important, and enjoyable."
There are many ways to spend meaningful time with the kids in your life. Simple things like reading, walking and talking are the most important ways to bring you closer together. And best of all, these three things can be combined together while sharing a hobby, such as collecting.
They've probably already expressed an interest in your collections, perhaps you can "share" some duplicates or extras. Beside the pleasure you get from sharing, wouldn't it be nice to know there is someone to pass your treasures onto. Someone that will cherish them as much as you do?
When my son was young I always took him to the flea markets/antique shows. Poor kid didn't have a chance! But I always gave him a few dollars at the beginning and he would start his search for treasures while I looked for my goodies. He would usually wind up getting some sports cards, an action figure or perhaps his favorite -- a metal bank. The upside is that he learned to spot my advertising tins and cookie jars, many times before I did. It's always nice to have an extra pair of eyes, especially those on a lower level than yours!
It's hard to figure out what sparks the passion between a collector and collectible. Your youngster might need a little spurring on here, what do they like to do? Sports -- lots of related collectibles. TV/Movies -- also lots of related collectibles with actors and shows. Cars -- metal diecast are fun to collect. You get the idea, figure out what they like and there will be something related that can be collected. It doesn't matter if it's valuable or considered "collectible" this is about fun and sharing time.
Some other suggestions might be:
State Quarters and/or state quarter bears
Stamps
Travel souvenirs such as snowdomes, smashed pennies, rocks
Postcards
Holiday ornaments (Larry Fraga stated at age seven!)
Teddy Bears
Old Toys
The list could go on forever, there is always something fun to collect. And something that will help bring you together not just today, perhaps it will be the start of a lifelong passion that the two of you can share.
01:17 AM #
Radko on QVC
Get your credit cards ready -- Monday will be a big day for collectors on QVC.
Christopher Radko will be showing some of his holiday collection, but that's not all. Corgi, Boyds Bears, Marie Osmond Collector Dolls, Fenton Art Glass and Thomas Kinkade are a few of the other shows scheduled for August 4th. Program Guide
More:
Radko 2003 Charity Ornaments
Three Sweepstakes from Radko
07:56 AM # |
Yu-Gi-Oh New Tin & Trading Card Game
Willy Chillhill Collection 
