Archive for July, 2009
by Chuck Jackson
Noticeably, there are a lot of people wearing Disney pins lanyard around Disney parks, hotels and resorts. But do you know who are allowed to wear them? Guests and cast members can wear lanyards with their best collection of Disney pins. Some actually uses their bags, hats, vests and specially made belt lanyards. But the neck lanyards are the most popular one. Each lanyard can contain a dozen of pins but cannot be traded as one whole lot. Only single pins can be traded by the cast member to its guests.
As a marketing strategy back in year 2002 and to support the pin trading activities which started a few years back, Disney pins lanyard finally came into existence. The most popular and probably the most expensive Disney pins are part of the two earliest collections, the “Disney’s Cast Lanyard Collection” and the “Disneyland’s Hidden Mickey Collection”. Since then, Disney grounds have become a colossal collectors’ arena for young and old.
These lanyards were originally distributed to cast members who are allowed to trade and sell pins at Disney properties provided that their trading activity doesn’t completely sidetrack them from their work. Some lanyards of cast members are color-coded to allow them to sell pins to children from ages 3 to 12. You can also see managers wearing these lanyards but never with operators of rides. This kind of direct marketing to employees popularized the trading even more.
Guests can easily approach a cast member and trade a Disney pin as long as it is not identical to any pin that is already on the cast members’ lanyard. Disney requires cast members to trade off their pins when inside Disney grounds. Lanyards can be used twice as long as it is not by the same employee.
Disney pins lanyards of cast members have the most desired and highest appreciated pins since some of them are part of rare collections. In online trading, the prices can easily sky-rocket as collectors engage in bidding wars. A lot of people are encouraged to collect Disney pins because of its high value even in the secondary market. When you check online stores, look for the telltale signs of a scrapper’s pin. If there are 100 pieces of the same pin in their possession, their pins may not be genuine. It is still better to buy from cast members than any other trading facilities.
Do not shy away from cast members or from anyone with Disney pins lanyard. If you have only started collecting pins, trading pins with cast members and well-reputable traders or guests inside the parks can be exciting. Cast members are required to trade pins while guests may or may not. “Sharks” or professional traders who simply disregards pin trading etiquette are also around Disney parks so be aware of their tactics.
July 29 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Doug Bernard
The Walt Disney Company has been able to produce a long line of characters people from different generations and walks of life. Though there are newer character productions such as those of Lilo and Stitch as well as that of Nemo; the classic characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and the rest of the gang has is still around which people have and still do dearly enjoy.
For Disney fans, having a piece of memorabilia from their favorite character or Disney movie is like being able to be part of their world even in one’s memories. This is why the Disney Pins have become among the most popular remembrances from the characters and movies people have grown some affinity to.
There have been huge selections created for the Disney Pins which are widely available in Disney stores and other trading places alike. There are different prints, designs and series editions for those which are made for limited offers. And for the last few years, people of all ages have grown fond of sharing and acquiring different Disney Pins by means of trading them on Disney parks and other pin traders.
There are a large number of pins that have been manufactured and sold and are now owned and traded by fans apart from those which are still locked away in the Disney archive vault. There are also a few things one should know about the pins for them to properly be able to identify the authentic ones.
Back Stamps are among the most vital and simple identification marks of these pins; these indicate all the important information one may want to know. These include the copyright information, manufacturer, date, edition size or series number, the location of production, etc.
There are also a variety of pins which are made from different materials and designs; some of these Disney Pins are made from die cast which were made from brass zinc alloy and uses high grade hand engraved dies which provide a three dimensional image. There are also those which are called Dangle Pins which is much like a regular pin though it has an extended base which hangs from one or multiple chains or loops. There are two others which are greatly regarded for its features as novelty and trading pins; these are the lenticular pins which has two or more designs which are visible when the pin is slightly tilted. The other is the Light-up pin, from its name lights up and flashes when it is activated.
There are also Slider pins which are quite fascinating as this pin has the ability to have a moving object such as a tiny car move and slide from one side of the pin’s base to the other. The Spinner pins are also great with the slight difference of the movement; it is able to move one section of the pin to spin around 360 degrees to be able to constantly show the surface design of the pin.
All great things must end - just like the old saying says; this also applies to the Disney Pins as there is what is called the retired pins or those which have stopped production. And where some things end, others begin; as one line ceases to be reproduced, another design of line is then introduced for avid Disney aficionados to be able to enjoy.
July 29 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Peter Bainum
The LEGO Group has been the leader of the building block toy industry since it’s inception in the 1940’s. Since then it has evolved tremendously with various themes that have been released. Some of those themes have not done as well as others. By far the most popular of these themes is the Star Wars theme of LEGO’s.
With it’s ever growing popularity, the Star Wars themed LEGO sets are in a prime position to continue to do well with both Star Wars fans and LEGO fans alike. The LEGO Group has been releasing Star Wars themed sets since the late nineties and Star Wars and LEGO fans around the globe love this.
You can have lots of fun with your imagination building Star Wars themed LEGO sets. The LEGO Group has done an amazing job of incorporating the Star Wars theme into it’s LEGO sets and creating high demand for its product by limiting the amount of time a set is on the market. A discontinued set of Star Wars LEGOs can run for as much as 2 to 3 times the original cost of the set! A quick search on ebay for Rare Star Wars LEGOs will reveal quite a few LEGO sets that are in growing demand with no sign of a growing supply. Many LEGO collectors scour through internet pages looking for a great deal. This has lead to high demand for certain LEGO Star Wars Sets, such as:
1. Sith Infiltrator 7663 LEGO Set
2. Episode II: Attack Of The Clones LEGO Sets
3. Wattos Junkyard 7186 LEGO Set
Star Wars LEGO fans love their trade and are some of the more loyal fans of any industry around. Recently the LEGO Group announced an extension to the Licensing of the Star Wars theme much to the delight of both the Star Wars community and the LEGO community. With the recent release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the LEGO Group has plenty of material to work with future Star Wars themed LEGO sets and knowing the LEGO Group, they will do a great job of capitalizing on this fact.
July 25 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Jack Palmer
If you love to golf, you already know how golfers love to exchange gifts from time to time. It’s almost as if it’s one of those unwritten rules in the handbook, but it’s tons of fun. Golfers love everything from golf memorabilia and golf equipment, to collectibles and that stylish golf apparel. It doesn’t matter if you’re just a fan, an avid player, or need a few gifts for clients to boost your business, these gift ideas are great for just about anything.
For someone who loves golf, getting different kinds of golf memorabilia can be a lot of fun. Whether you’re looking for an autograph of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, and Sergio Garcia, or getting an old shoe, hat or club they used in a tournament, it’s all possible. The best type of gift for a golfer is the golf gift basket. You basically get to choose what you want to put in the basket, and then give it to your friends or family members.
What golfer wouldnt love to receive hand signed golf memorabilia from Greg Norman, also known as the Great White Shark and one of the best professional golfers of all time? Married to Chris Evert, the tennis star, Greg Norman made over $10 million in his golfing career, even people that dont play golf would love to get a signed golf ball with two photos framed in a plague that is sure to become a collectors item. Even certificates of authenticity come with them!
Then of course you can’t forget about the great Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Just a napkin signed by either of these guys would bring all their older generation fans out of the woodwork. However, you tell someone there are several different Tiger Woods pieces and the place will be overloaded with millions of fans. They’re all considered legends and will be ones for eternity. If you have children, don’t be afraid to get them into the game with signed golf balls, golf shoes, or even photos and clubs.
Of course, giving golf memorabilia is a great gift for an avid collector of any kind. Rare and limited edition golf gloves, flags, shoes and balls can be hard to come by, when it comes to the top professionals in the game. That is what makes hand-signed items appreciate over the years. Even antique golf memorabilia is still bought and sold on the open market for thousands of dollars.
Seriously, just look around an office the next time you meet with an executive, get introduced to a big wig, or even managers in other businesses. If you see pictures of the “Greats” hanging on the walls then you’ll know they love the game. Just remember this is basically the focal point of their office. To be honest it happens all the time, which is why most companies add golf as an incentive in their bonus structures today.
Golf memorabilia gift baskets may not be as expensive as the hand-signed memorabilia, but they make a special gift, especially for that man in your life that has everything. Whether it is rare and limited edition autographed items, or a basket of golf balls, tees, golf shirt, hats and other golf items, it is hard to beat a gift of golf memorabilia for a special occasion.
About the Author:
It is extremely important when buying your hand signed
Golf Memorabilia from a reputable company that has been in the
Sports Memorabilia game for many years. The have all the greats from Tiger Woods to Gary Player and Arnold Palmer. A lot of the items are extremely rare and will only be around for a limited time.
July 14 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Aaron Shanty
As with every piece of antique furniture, silver or pottery, the people who were the makers of Cowboy Spurs also had their own set of markings they applied to their work. Spurs were made from various materials including silver, iron, bronze and later aluminum and the mark was stamped into the metal with a hammer.
It is possible that each set of spurs was made differently and therefore the maker would need to keep track of those he had sold and to whom. Some spurs were even branded with an individual serial number or a patent number that had been awarded to the maker in question.
Different sizes, widths and patterns were used when making the custom made spurs and therefore it was important for the maker to know which were made by his own hand. The markings also help us understand the value and origin of the items we might buy at auction today.
Marking the spurs with the makers name or initials was the most common way for them to be branded. The name of the maker, such as CROCKETT, CR or RENALDE would be stamped into the metal by hand, often along the inside of the heel band.
Another of the larger and more famous makers of cowboy spurs, North & Judd used a symbol to mark their spurs and other cowboy gear. The North & Judd Anchor mark has now become a mark of distinction throughout the area of western blacksmithing items and horse tack and is a recognized mark of quality and for us today, a mark of the value and authenticity of a genuine western American antique.
About the Author:
If you want to learn more information about the makers of
cowboy spurs and their marks, head over to the authors website. You can find history, pictures and valuations of the many styles of
antique cowboy spurs and also find cowboy spurs to own.
July 14 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Harold Legaspi
Collecting Disney pins are not only for children. Whether you are in your teenage years or at the height of your career in your late 30s or 40s, trying to find bulk Disney pins at your age is not really a surprise.
Collecting bulk Disney pins is a sure way to earn money if you know how to handle trading smartly. Pin collectors do not only do trade face-to-face inside Disney parks during trade events but have also utilized the internet to sell some of their priceless collection.
As business etiquette dictates, there are also rules in selling Disney pins. Cast members will only accept metal pins with a clear copyright mark at the back of the pin. It needs to have characters or marks of any affiliations of Disney. You cannot trade five or ten pins with a cast member because only two pins are allowed in one day and one pin per transaction. If the cast member already has the pin that you are offering, he or she can refuse the trade unless you give them a different choice. Be careful in exchanging money within Disney premises because money exchanges for pins are strictly not allowed.
The value of bulk Disney pins in secondary markets like through web-based trading shops can appreciate overtime especially when it is part of a rare collection and in demand. But the price can also dramatically drop. If you are doing the trading on-line, you cannot escape the tricks of unscrupulous traders. They would claim rarity of pins and spike up the price to outrageous highs when in fact you can just buy the pin at a minimum price.
Like in any buy-and-sell deals, make sure that you do your business with trusted parties. You can check eBay often as prices vary each day. Do not be too eager to buy a particular pin as prices may change overnight. Most of the time, auctions only lead to crazy prices and bidding wars. There are also times however, when you can’t wait too long for prices to drop especially if the pin being sold is one of the rare pieces. Again it takes an educated collector to identify which pins are worth the price.
If you trade bulk Disney pins as a source of income or is only trading because of the kicks you get out of it, always be cautious that there are a lot of traders in the market that are ready to just snatch your pins with their dirty tricks.
In the Disney trading field, they call these unethical traders, “sharks”. They know exactly what they’re doing and can be too convincing that your valuable pins can easily be traded with useless pieces. If they spot a greenhorn like you, you may find yourself trap in an unfair deal.
There are trading events hosted by the Disney parks. You can join and get freebies that include pins, meal and entertainment vouchers. Although the registration is high, consider it as an investment because these events offer rare pin sets that I’m sure you don’t want to miss. Visit Disney website and get updates on trading schedules.
July 10 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Harold Legaspi
Disney pin collecting is not only for young children. Even adults can enjoy trading as a hobby or even as a means to monetary gains.
You may opt to buy online or visit the Disney parks and buy them there. Bulk Disney pins trading have evolved from a hobby between friend collectors to a business trade between collectors and even cast members who find the pin trading business a profitable deal.
As business etiquette dictates, there are also rules in selling Disney pins. Cast members will only accept metal pins with a clear copyright mark at the back of the pin. It needs to have characters or marks of any affiliations of Disney. You cannot trade five or ten pins with a cast member because only two pins are allowed in one day and one pin per transaction. If the cast member already has the pin that you are offering, he or she can refuse the trade unless you give them a different choice. Be careful in exchanging money within Disney premises because money exchanges for pins are strictly not allowed.
If you check any online shops, the price of Disney pins varies depending on rarity and demand; thus, the price can easily go up unexpectedly but can also plummet down depending on the trade movements. If you would rather trade on-line than do direct trades, be vigilant still at spotting devious business deals. Some traders will market their pins as part of a rare collection which explains their offensive prices but in reality, their pins are, if not worthless, can be bought with a single penny.
If you are smart enough, you will only deal with known bulk Disney pin traders. Do not jump on the instance that a rare pin shows up at the online market because if you wait awhile, prices may change dramatically. The trick is not to be overly excited or too cautious in buying pins. Some pieces are really tough to find and waiting too long may cause you big bucks or a missed opportunity to bid at all. Learn from the experts and manage your impulse and instinct when trading.
If you trade bulk Disney pins as a source of income or is only trading because of the kicks you get out of it, always be cautious that there are a lot of traders in the market that are ready to just snatch your pins with their dirty tricks.
Beware of “sharks”. They are professional traders who have mastered all different kinds of pins in the market and can easily trick you for your valuable pins. Like a dubious pawnshop-like deal, the sharks will underestimate the price of your pin and overestimate their own. If you are not keen at this kind of ploy, you will end up buying a worthless junk.
There are trading events hosted by the Disney parks. You can join and get freebies that include pins, meal and entertainment vouchers. Although the registration is high, consider it as an investment because these events offer rare pin sets that I’m sure you don’t want to miss. Visit Disney website and get updates on trading schedules.
About the Author:
For valid additional stuff about the area of
Disney Trading Pins Buy easily head to this blog which contains information on #.
July 08 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »