A Fun Story Emphasizing The Importance Of Organizing Your Collectibles

Everyone has collectibles they value, and can recognize the little pang in your heart when one is misplaced. That is why we strive to get across the importance of organizing your collectibles so that you will never have one go missing again. Now, there will always be extraordinary circumstances that might happen, and for this original story in particular, it all came to a happy ending.
More than two decades after Aaron Giles lost his identity bracelet, he's finding how it was discovered tough to swallow. A meat cutter at Olson Locker in Fairmont came across the shiny object in a chicken gizzard and saw a name, address and phone number engraved on it. Giles had lived in Fairmont as a child and played hide-and-seek and other games with his brothers in their grandfather's barn near Sherburn. "I would spend most of my time out at his farm, and that's the only place I can think of that I would have lost it," Giles said about his bracelet on Thursday. The 31-year-old said he thinks the bracelet was lost when he was 4 or 5. The barn was dismantled a few years ago, and Giles thinks his bracelet was embedded in materials used to construct another barn in Elmore, about 45 miles away. The bracelet was found in a chicken that came from an Elmore farm. Giles, who now lives in Gloucester, Mass., said he received his old bracelet in September. "It was in pretty immaculate shape. Everything was working on it, and all the engravings on it were still legible," Giles said. "It was quite the surprise." Giles said he expects the bracelet to stay in his family for many years to come. "I have no plans on trying to lose it again."
I hope Giles' story brought you a smile for the coming weekend. If you happen on some old, perhaps lost, heirlooms, and need your collection valued, don't hesitate to add them into our “What's My Item Worth” section, and include your object's story in the notes for us to smile about.

The Web Based Management Movement

With the information age in full swing, the collecting world has seen many changes. These changes have not necessarily come in terms of what is being collected, but more so, how people manage their collectibles. Since the computer has become a common household item, many turned to it to manage their things by using spreadsheets or downloadable software for collectors. Recently though, the trend to managing collectibles has moved in a different direction, and collectors are now capitalizing on dynamic web based applications, such as iTaggit. With a web based item management application, collectors can now build communities based on their interests and find the value of their collectibles easier. The features offered in a web based application allow collectors to manage more information and dig deeper into researching their things. In addition, iTaggit offers a platform for collectors to manage their items and then easily appraise, sell, and share their items, which is better than a dusty old spreadsheet. Best of all, iTaggit is free to users, making web based item management the best option for the modern collector to organize their collections.

Last Five State Quarter Designs Released

According to an Associated Press report yesterday, the U.S. Mint has released the last five designs for the state quarter collection. The Mint's 50 State Quarters Program releases quarters in order of each state's admittance to the country, starting with Delaware's quarter in 1999. The effort kicked off a coin collecting craze unlike anything ever seen before in the coin world. Based on a 2005 survey, Mint officials estimate 147 million people have gotten involved in collecting the quarters with their constantly changing designs. "The American people have made the 50 state quarters the most successful coins in United States history," said Mint Director Ed Moy.
The next one to be put into circulation in late January honors Oklahoma, which entered the union on Jan. 6, 1912. It will feature the state bird, the scissortail flycatcher, and the state wildflower, the Indian blanket. That will be followed by a Zia sun symbol for New Mexico, which entered the union on Jan. 6, 1912. Arizona, admitted on Feb. 14, 1912, will be represented by the Grand Canyon and a saguaro cactus. Alaska's coin will feature a grizzly bear wading in a stream with a salmon in its mouth while the Hawaii coin depicts King Kamehameha. Alaska and Hawaii were the last states to join the union in 1959.
Through the first eight years of the program, the Mint produced 31.2 billion quarters. Moy said about 20 billion of those quarters were due to the popularity of the changing designs which attracted collectors in record numbers.
The quarters are scheduled to revert back to their pre-1999 designs after next year. George Washington will remain on the "heads" side of the coin, but the "tails" side where the state designs had been placed will once again feature an American eagle.
Collectors who are missing some states should not lose heart since the coins already produced should remain in circulation for about 30 years. Be sure to manage your collection of state quarters using iTaggit. Also check out who has extra quarters you might be missing.

Gift Book Appeals To Appreciators Of American Artistry And Country Music

I love collecting coffee-table books, though I never realized it before working at iTaggit, and a couple of my great pieces include My Love Affair With Jewelry by Elizabeth Taylor and Modern Art Museum Of Fort Worth 110. As I was writing this month's book newsletter, I stumbled across a particular coffee-table gem that I must add to my wish list. Jim McGuire has been photographing musicians over the past thirty years and his photos have graced the covers of more than 400 albums and CDs. Most of the big recording stars insist on using McGuire including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Doc Watson, Dolly Parton, Carole King, Townes Van Zant, John Hartford, Emmylou Harris and Reba McIntyre, to name a few. His book, Nashville Portraits: Legends of Country Music, features the photos in beautiful duo-tones on heavy stock paper, and each contain a quote from one of the Nashville musicians discussing the beauty of McGuire’s work. This book appeals to anyone who appreciates American artistry, whether or not they love country music memorabilia. An appealing aspect of this book to me was the opportunity to gather the autographs of those featured artists who are still among us within the book, making a special collector's edition out of it.
If you are a lover of art or just enjoy strolling through a gallery on a lazy Sunday, sixty of his acclaimed portraits are slated for a two-year-long traveling museum exhibit that opened in Nashville this past Fall. It is sponsored by the Morris Museum of Art, located on the Riverwalk in downtown Augusta. Be sure to check for tour dates, and hopefully this fantastic exhibit will be coming near you. If you do happen to visit McGuire's portraits, feel free to blog your feedback on what you saw.

Gone Wishing- Wish List Contest Leaders

Here are today’s top 5 users in the Gone Wishing- Wish List Contest. The top 3 users who create the longest wish list by December 26 will win an item of their choice from their wish list. Don't get left behind, start adding items today to win the gifts you don’t get for the holidays.

Top 5 “Gone Wishing- Wish List” Contest Leaders:

1. svs8764
2. olokin
3. ChristineJurek
4. ShyNSpirit
5. BeanBone

Add items faster using our Amazon feature. Here's how:

1. Click the orange Add new Item button.

2. Click Import From Amazon.

3. Enter the name of the items you want and search.

4. Click Add. Make sure to add it to your wish list.

*If you have items in your wish list that you already own or that have multiple entries, please be sure to move them into another collection. We do not want any one to lose out because their items were not eligible.

ESPN Releases Latest NCAA Football Power 16 List

ESPN has come out with their latest Power 16 list, heading into a week of Conference Championships. One-loss West Virginia has vaulted to the top spot, while Missouri's victory over Kansas has moved the Tigers up to No.2. The Mountaineers received eight first-place votes, and the Tigers picked up seven. Ohio State, Georgia, and USC round out the top five. Say goodbye to Oregon (11), Texas (13), and Virginia (16) and say hello to Illinois, Tennessee, and Clemson. Time to organize your football memorabilia, for it seems a new era is being ushered in. The Big 12 North is becoming a more formidable foe for the South, the SEC is knocking itself down in a struggle for the top every other week, and the Big East, Pac-10 and Big Ten are nothing to scoff at. And over it all, an autographed football by Darren McFadden, Tim Tebow, Chase Daniel or Pat White might be worth a pretty penny here in the next month or two. Anyways, check out the recent top 16 and see if you agree with the standings. No doubt if you don't, they'll change in a week anyway.

1. West Virginia, previously ranked #4, 10-1 record
The stakes in the Backyard Brawl have never been higher. A victory over Pitt sends WVU to the BCS title game. Who saw that coming after the loss to South Florida two months ago?

2. Missouri, previously ranked #3, 11-1 record
It's the season for miracles. The Tigers weren't ranked until late September, but now they're one win away from New Orleans. Christmas arrives early if Mizzou beats Oklahoma.

3. Ohio State, previously ranked #5, 11-1 record
You won't find bigger Oklahoma or Pittsburgh fans than the folks in Columbus. The Buckeyes' holiday wish includes an upset... and the way this season has gone, don't be surprised if they get it.

4. Georgia, previously ranked #7, 10-2 record
Is any team playing better than Georgia? The Dawgs don't have an SEC East title to show for it, but they've won six straight games and keep their hopes alive for an at-large BCS bid.

5. USC, previously ranked #9, 9-2 record
There probably won't be a national title for Troy this season, but if USC beats UCLA, the Trojans will claim an unprecedented sixth straight Pac-10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl.

6. LSU, previously ranked #1, 10-2 record
The Tigers have pulled out close games all season, but their triple-overtime loss will hurt for a while. LSU's national title hopes are likely done (thanks Darren McFadden), but it can claim the SEC crown versus Tennessee.

7. Oklahoma, previously ranked #10, 10-2 record
DeMarco Murray won't play in the Big 12 championship, but it won't matter if Allen Patrick runs like he did versus Oklahoma State. Patrick's line: a career-best 202 yards on 29 carries and two TDs.

8. Kansas, previously ranked #2, 11-1 record
The Jayhawks were second in the nation in scoring (46 ppg), but KU didn't score in the first half and was held to 28 against Missouri. Kansas' 42 yards on the ground didn't help. The Tigers finished with 151.

9. Virginia Tech, previously ranked #8, 10-2 record
Since the loss to BC, Va. Tech has won four straight, outscoring its opponents 144-59. The Hokies get a rematch when they face the Eagles for the ACC championship on Saturday.

10. Florida, previously ranked #12, 9-3 record
Even a broken hand can't stop Tim Tebow or his Heisman campaign. Tebow threw for three TDs and rushed for two more in the rout of Florida State. If you're counting, that's 29 TD passes and 22 rushing.

11. Arizona State, previously ranked #6, 9-2 record
The Sun Devils don't just lose to USC; they lose big. ASU has lost eight straight to the Trojans by an average of 19 points. The good news? They've won five of seven games after USC.

12. Hawaii, previously ranked #14, 11-0 record
Hawaii is the only unbeaten team in the Top 25. With its first outright WAC title in hand, the Warriors' next goal is to finish off an undefeated regular season. Will BCS berth follow suit?

13. Boston College, previously ranked #15, 10-2 record
Matt Ryan finished the regular season with 28 TDs, breaking Doug Flutie's mark, as the Eagles broke a 15-game losing streak vs. Miami. BC can make its first BCS bowl appearance with a win over the Hokies.

14. Illinois, previously unranked in Power 16, 9-3 record
The Illini haven't played since Nov. 17, but they continue to move up in the rankings. They'll be rooting hard for Ohio State to play in the BCS title game because that might mean a trip to Pasadena.

15. Tennessee, previously unranked in Power 16, 9-3 record
Is it time to step off the “Phillip Fulmer must go” bandwagon now? The Vols are the unlikely SEC East champions and will look to claim their first conference title since 1998 against LSU.

16. Clemson, previously unranked in Power 16, 9-3 record
After throwing only 22 passes in his first two seasons, Cullen Harper impressed as a full-time starter. Harper finished the regular season completing 67 percent of his passes with 27 TDs and only six picks.

Others receiving votes: Brigham Young, Auburn, Oregon, Wisconsin, and South Florida. Football collectibles have certainly been a popular item this year due to the weekly fluctuation in rankings among the teams. Be sure to post your items in your 2007 football collections and root your teams on through the Bowl season!

Pennsylvania's Flag May Become A Collectible In The Near Future

Collectors have highly valued historical United States' memorabilia since the birth of our nation in 1776, including the many flags that have transitioned through the years. According to a report on Foxnews.com, the Pennsylvania flag is in talks of being updated with a more recognizable image. Democratic State Rep. Tim Solobay says that “the Pennsylvania flag is so obscure that many people in the state cannot identify it.” Solobay submitted a proposal to the House lawmakers which passed in June with a 164-31 vote, and has since moved on to the Senate committee for consideration. On the opposite end of the argument, former teacher Peter Malichock Jr. calls the idea of changing the flag “outrageous,” stating that “they are dumbing down the flag because they are making it easier for people to identify it.” Others have concerns that replacing all the flags in the state would be too costly. Solobay stands by his proposal, suggesting that the new flags will be phased in over time, and in the newer version, the words “Commonwealth of” would appear above the coat of arms along with “Pennsylvania” below it, all in yellow silk block letters. Of the 50 states, 28 include the name or initials of the state on their flags, making them easier to identify. Check out the original article and take the 10-flag quiz to see just how many you know.

Highlighted Finds From The Antiques Roadshow

I decided to scour the internet for some feel-good antiques stories, and I found my interest faster than I had imagined when I stumbled upon the Antiques Roadshow website. They had some of their highlights posted from the last 10 years of the show, as well as the schedule for their new season starting in 2008. Check out some of these great objects! It will put you in the mood to clean out the attic and see what you find!

Chang's Chair

Chang's chair, appraised by Leigh Keno, of Leigh Keno American Antiques and Leslie Keno, of Sotheby's, both in New York City. From Charleston (2001).

The Keno brothers got a chance to see a very unusual piece of antique furniture brought in to the ROADSHOW by a South Carolina woman named Margaret. The Kenos were excited to get the chance to appraise Margaret's family heirloom. The identical brothers agreed: "Of all the different tapings we've done over the years, this is one of the most special." Why? Because Margaret is the great-granddaughter of Chang Bunker, one of perhaps the world's most famous conjoined twins. Born near Bangkok in 1811, the brothers settled in North Carolina, marrying a pair of sisters in 1843 and starting families. The two couples occupied two houses nearby one another, Chang and Eng spending half their time in each home each week. The heirloom that's found its way to Margaret is her great-grandfather's special hardwood chair, built double-wide to accommodate both brothers at once. Noting what a unique and wonderful piece it is, as well as that there has been a resurgence of interest in conjoined twins of late, the Keno brothers estimated the chair's market value at $10,000 to $12,000. Margaret was pleased but not tempted. "Well, that's interesting to know, but it will never be for sale," she said.

Somali Neck Rest

Somali neck rest, appraised by John Buxton, Dallas, Texas. From Birmingham (2000).

A sixth grade teacher from Geraldine, Alabama, brought a neck rest he'd bought for $2, wondering if it was real or a reproduction. "When my class studied African or Asian countries that use neck rests," he said, "I let my students pass it around and look at it so they could be familiar with what a neck rest is." First, appraiser John Buxton explained what he had on his hands. "A neck rest is actually a pillow. Women with elaborate coiffures would place this under the back of the head as they slept to keep their heads off the ground and their coiffures intact." Then, John gave him the good news: "This a real piece, and let me tell you why. It was made in Somalia in the 1920s or 1930s and has a wonderful patination where it's been used. The designs on the side are a wonderful blending of African and Islamic pattern. It's a fine example in excellent condition and would be worth $500 to $700 — a pretty good investment."

Skull Humidor

Skull humidor, appraised by Riley Humler, of Cincinnati Art Galleries in Cincinnati, Ohio. From Columbus (2000).

When a creepy skull showed up on his appraisal table, Riley Humler took it as a good omen. The skull, actually a humidor, was used to store smoking tobacco and was made by the famous Weller Pottery in Zanesville, Ohio, 30 miles east of Columbus.
"My father collected Weller pottery for 30 years," said the man who brought it in. "He bought this at an estate sale 20 years ago for $85." His father was not only a pottery fan but also a distant relative of Sam Weller, who had started the family business. "This skull is the rarest of all Weller humidors," Riley revealed. "In addition, Weller produced an admiral, a Turk, a Chinese man, and Irishman. Although those aren't all that common, they can't hold a candle to the skull. Only five or six of these are known to exist." Riley appraised the rare piece at $2,000 to $3,000, remarking that the skull was "quite unique and interesting — although you wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley."

Victorian Insect Collage

Victorian insect collage, appraised by Gary Espinosa, of Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles, California. From Los Angeles (2006).

Appraiser Gary Espinosa had never seen anything like it! He examined what appeared to be several shiny, iridescent glass beads arranged within a mahogany case. A closer look revealed that those bead-like items within the display case were actually exotic beetles and scarabs placed atop a wallpapering of moths and butterflies. The owner of this one-of-a-kind insect collage had purchased it in London in 1991 along with a book of pressed flowers and a copy of Spenser's The Fairy Queen. He paid $400 for the group of items. Though Gary had never encountered a piece like this insect collage, he was very familiar with the culture that inspired its creation. "This was made during the Victorian period in England. ... They had a tremendous culture for nature at that time." Stuffed exotic fish and birds were also very popular. Gary compared the piece to a Sailor's Valentine: a similar Victorian collectible made with seashells arranged in a circular pattern. Though in "remarkable condition," Gary noted that the delicate insect collage would preserve longer if it was resting flat rather than hanging and subjected to gravity: "As you can see, we've got a couple of little scarabs here that are falling off and dropping down into the case here." Despite Gary's efforts at researching and consulting with other appraisers, he was unsure of how to determine a fair market value for the piece. He proffered, "I would say fair market auction value between $2,000 to $3,000. But, we think that ... at a natural auction for exotic nature things, this might even do considerably better." The owner was clearly delighted, and Gary was truly appreciative for such an intriguing and fun piece to appraise.

19th-century Folk Art Whirligig

19th-century folk art whirligig, appraised by H. Peter Curran, of Wilton, Connecticut. From Dallas (1998).

A woman brought in a piece of folk art originally from her great-aunt's barn in Connecticut. Upon the death of the great-aunt about 25 years ago the piece had been valued at $1,500 and given to the current owner. Appraiser Peter Curran identified the piece as a fine example of a mid-19th-century whirligig, designed to scare away crows. Much to the owner's astonishment, Curran estimated the whirligig's worth at between $20,000 and $25,000.

Lake Breeze Fan

Lake Breeze Fan, appraised by Gary Piattoni, of Gary Piattoni Decorative Arts, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. From Savannah (2004). "So really, what we have here, is really like the great-grandfather of jet engine technology," explained appraiser Gary Piattoni to Evelyn from Savannah who brought in a fan that needn't require electricity. This Lake Breeze fan, named after its Lake Breeze motor, ran on the hot air created by a flame from a kerosene lamp. It came out in 1919 and sold for $22.50, but unfortunately never found great favor in the market due to its rival, the electric fan. The electric fan won out for perhaps obvious reasons pertaining both to safety and the primary function of the fan. The hot open flame created by the kerosene lamp was dangerous — never mind counterproductive to the cooling process. Nonetheless, Gary said, the fan is an excellent example of a piece made obsolete by improved technology — and it even still works. These fans are fairly rare today, and many collectors thrive on all kinds of fun pieces of outdated technology! With that in mind, Gary surmised that a keen collector might pay between $1,500 to $2,000. And that's no hot air.


Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am off for the rest of the week and will continue blogging on Monday. Don't forget to use iTaggit to manage your holiday collectibles.

Barry Bonds Memorabilia Value In Question

The saga of Barry Bonds took another turn last Thursday. The Giants' power hitter who surpassed Hank Aaron last year to become the home run king was charged with four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice after a four-year investigation by federal prosecutors. If found guilty, he could serve a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison along with countless hours of community service, probation, and fines. He is just one of several elite U.S. athletes who are being sought for questioning about their involvement with BALCO, the company responsible for the production and distribution of an untraceable steroid known as “the clear.” It is unknown at this time how the allegations will affect his baseball card's value. I personally believe that his sports memorabilia, especially the autographed ones, will rise in value, not because of the record that he set, but because of the infamy that will forever surround the era he rose in. He could very well be the proverbial figurehead in the record books of the darkest moment in baseball history. Leave your comments as to how you feel the whole situation is being treated, and be sure to value your collections of Bonds' cards, etc. with iTaggit so everyone can see how the market reacts to his downfall from the top.

iTaggit Announces "Gone Wishing" Contest

Make your wish come true by entering iTaggit’s Gone Wishing – longest wish list contest. Add the things you wish for to your public wish list during Nov. 19, 2007 – Dec. 26, 2007 and compete to win $300, $200, or $100 towards the purchase of an item on your wish list. Don’t forget to send your list out to all of your family and friends to be sure you get the hottest holiday gifts this season!

To Win the Gone Wishing - Longest Wish List Contest

1. Add items to your public wish list. The length of the wish lists are based on the number of items you have in your list.

2. For each item to qualify, it must have at least one picture and a title.

3. For wish lists to qualify, they must be public and be the original wish list provided when the iTaggit account was created.

4. Users may only have one wish list for the contest.

5. Have your list complete by 12pm CST on December 26.

Prizes:
1st place: Up to $300 towards an item on your Wish List.
2nd place: Up to $200 towards an item on your Wish List.
3rd Place: Up to $100 towards an item on your Wish List.

*Items must be in the user’s wish list BEFORE the conclusion of the contest.

Quick Tip:

With “Black Friday” and the holiday season fast approaching, we want to help you get what you want this holiday season. Use iTaggit’s “Send This Collection To a Friend” tool to e-mail your collection to your friends and increase your collection views. To do this:

1. View your collection;

2. Click on the item actions menu AND choose “Send This Collection to a Friend”

3. Enter as many email addresses as you would like and include a personal message to be sure you get what you want over the holidays!

Rare American Coin Collection Sold For $30 Million

According to an article from the Associated Press, an anonymous buyer has paid more than $30 million for a collection of rare U.S. Prototype coins, some from the 1700s, that never went into circulation, according to Laura Sperber, a partner in Legend Numismatics, who brokered the deal. The collection consists of around 1,000 coins that collectors refer to as pattern coins. They all have trial designs on them that never went into production because the U.S. Mint chose others. Gathering such a large collection of pattern coins is difficult because so few were created in the first place, and they were usually supposed to stay in the possession of the Mint, since they were, after all, the rejects. It took the seller about ten years to assemble the coin collection, which spans the period from 1792 to 1942. Highlights of the collection include test designs for the first pennies made in 1792 and six coins from 1872 that are often referred to as “Amazonian” patterns because the female figure portraying liberty is much stronger and regal looking than in earlier versions.

Until 1909, when Abraham Lincoln's face was immortalized on the penny, presidents weren't allowed on coins because, at the time, putting the nation's leader on a coin seemed too similar to the practice of kings being displayed on European coins. “To put an individual on coinage was considered very unrepublican because the people have the power in a republic,” said Douglas A. Mudd, Curator of the American Numismatic Association Money Museum. That wasn't considered the best example for a country less than a decade removed from the Revolutionary War. For more information, check out the original article.
Perhaps the new buyer, who preferred to be referred to as Mr. Simpson for security reasons, will post his new collection to iTaggit and let us help him organize his valuable pieces. 'Til then, be sure to post your coin collection to our gallery, and if you need help with appraisal estimates, enter them into our “What's My Item Worth” collection.

Coins Are A Common Language

If you collect coins, I found this great blog called World Coin News. Jolan is from Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain and writes “the aim of this blog is to inform about the releases of New World Coin Types. I will post information about legal tender coins only.” As I scrolled through several of his posts, I noticed the striking differences between countries' chosen images on their new coins. Some have animals, others have figures of royalty or of great importance, and still others simply have the monetary value on them. Click here to check out Jolan's blog and let iTaggit help you organize your coins to share with the world.

World War II Artifact Unearthed

Many of us have friends or relatives who lived through or participated in World War II. It is known as history's greatest armed conflict. Movements from that era were so influential, they were represented with their own icons such as Rosie the Riveter, and these icons have become quite collectible over the years. One such memento has been unearthed on a beach in Wales, but it won't end up on anyone's shelf. An American P-38 fighter plane ran out of gas and crash landed some sixty-five years ago, where it was buried in surf and sand. The pilot, Second Lt. Robert F. “Fred” Elliot, 24, of Rich Square, N.C., was not injured in the crash, but died three months later during a flight over Tunisia in North Africa.

Due to unusual weather last summer, the sand began to shift and erode, revealing the long-forgotten WWII relic. The Lockheed “Lightening” fighter has a distinctive twin-boom design and based on its serial number as well as other records, “the fighter is arguably the oldest P-38 in existence, and the oldest surviving 8^th Air Force combat aircraft of any type,” said Ric Gillespie, who heads a U.S.-based nonprofit group dedicated to preserving historic aircraft. Check out the original article for more details about the plane and the only remaining Elliot family member who learns more about his namesake.

Black Friday Deals For Adults And Children

Black Friday is a shopper's biggest dream and a claustrophobic's worst nightmare. Doors open at major retailers as early as 5:00a.m. and the lines start during the wee hours of the morning, if not the night before. Hoards of people rush through the frosted glass-paned doors to escape the chill and grab some of the hottest Christmas items at the lowest prices available before the holiday season is upon them.

Black Friday has seemed to come early this year, though. Reports are beginning to accrue of a leak in the WalMart Corp. that released their deals to the public before they were originally scheduled to. The list covers most areas of desired holiday items from a 42-inch Plasma HDTV for $988 to the Barbie Fashion Fever dolls for $5 a piece, which is quite a markdown from the $20+ price some are fetching currently. To check out the official statements and article, click here.

In the spirit of the season, iTaggit would like to see your holiday items in a holiday wish list collection. Use iTaggit to help you organize a Barbie doll collection for your youngsters. Discuss which one's are at the top of the kids' wish lists this year with our other users who collect Barbie dolls. Lastly, be sure to share what bargains you got from which stores and show off the items that you have already checked off that mile-long shopping list. You never know who might be looking for new ideas and holiday inspiration from your things.

The Golden Age Of Boston Sports

Who would have guessed 2007 would be the year of the Bostonian? I find myself wondering how much autographed baseballs, footballs, basketballs, cards, and any other memorabilia from this era will be worth in the future. Lets do a quick recap:

The Boston Red Sox:

The World Champion Red Sox had a nice blend of fresh rookies and seasoned veterans to create a winning concoction, closing out their season at 96-66. Not only did the Sox put up remarkable numbers in about every category imaginable, even their manager, Terry Francona, set a record by becoming the first manager to start 8-0 in World Series play. There is not enough room in this article to continue listing all of their stats from the 2007 season, so if you are curious, check out another one of my blogs, “The Joy of Sox”, for more information concerning the champs. Their first series of the 2008 season will be played on March 25th in the Tokyo Dome, Japan against the Oakland A's.

The New England Patriots:

As the NFL's only remaining undefeated team, the 9-0 start produced by the Patriots is a current franchise record. They have won 12 consecutive regular-season games dating back to last season, earning them the second longest regular-season winning streak in team history. They are also at the top of the rankings in terms of offensive points per game and yards per game, but their defense is not one to be overlooked either, allowing only an average of 275 yards per game. Their next game will be this Sunday at home against the Buffalo Bills.

The Boston Celtics:

The NBA's only remaining undefeated squad have started with a very healthy 6-0 record and show no signs of slowing. This record matches their last 6-0 start twenty years ago, when the Celtics' star trio was Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. Now they have Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen who have been running a muck around their opponents. The Celtics' overall best start was 14-0 in the 1957-58 season. Their next game will be away tonight against New Jersey.

Marvel Releases 2,500 Comics Online Today

Comic book readers and collectors have a new medium to look forward to in the Marvel world. Today, Marvel is releasing over 2,500 issues of various origin back-stories on their website. Subsequently, 20 more issues will be released every week following. Although Marvel has decided to release these issues to the online public, they will only be viewable through the site's web viewer and cannot be downloaded to the reader's machine for storage. Check out the original article by Mark “Rizzn” Hopkins from Mashable.com for the rest of the story.

iTaggit’s new Facebook Application featured in Mashable.com

iTaggit was featured today in Mashable.com, the world’s largest blog focused exclusively on social networks and web 2.0 strategy. The posting detailed tomorrow’s official release of iTaggit’s new Facebook Application. To read the full article click here.

Discovery Of Ventarron Temple Unearths Ancient American Art

For all of you treasure seekers and American culture collectors and enthusiasts, a new discovery has been made to fawn over. A 4,000-year-old temple, which is located inside a larger ruin, has been unearthed on the northern coast of Peru, making it one of the oldest finds to date in the Americas. Peruvian archeologist Walter Alva (seen in the picture at left with a mural), led the dig in the Lambayeque Valley, about 472 miles from Lima, Peru's capital. Alva also discovered Sipan, an administrative and religious center of the Moche culture, during the 1980's. The temple “Ventarron” is filled with murals and includes a staircase that leads to an altar which was used for fire worship. The construction methods and architectural design of Ventarron impressed the discoverers since its erection predates Sipan by centuries. “The discovery of this temple reveals evidence suggesting the region of Lambayeque was one of great cultural exchange between the Pacific coast and the rest of Peru,” said Alva.

Here's a brief history lesson to help clarify: Until the Spanish arrived in the Americas during the 1500s, the Incas ruled their empire for several centuries. Their nation stretched from Colombia and Ecuador in the north, to what are now Peru and Chile in the south. Peru is known to be rich in archaeological treasure from this time, including that which was found in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Andes. Discoveries made at Sipan have included a gold-filled tomb built 1,700 years ago for a pre-Incan king. Perhaps discoveries of ancient treasure at Ventarron will yield as positive of results as the Sipan exploration's did. Pieces from Incan culture are extremely valuable and highly sought after, and I believe artifacts from Ventarron will be treated similarly. To read the entire article, click here. Also, feel free to post pictures and stories to this blog of ancient art and artifacts, as well as share your historical items within the iTaggit Gallery.

Titanic Artifacts Peak Interest With The Passing Of The Second To Last Survivor

The Titanic carries with its name a resounding historical presence when mentioned. Stories from that fateful night as well as images from the 1997 blockbuster smash hit Titanic floated through my mind as I read that Barbara West Dainton had passed yesterday. She is believed to have been one of the last two remaining survivors from the doomed ship that sank in 1912 according to the Titanic Historical Society. When the Titanic sank, it killed 1,500 people including Barbara's father, Edwy Arthur West, although she was too young at the time to remember the tragedy.
News of Barbara's passing triggered my curiosity of how many and what artifacts are still available to be seen from the Titanic. The word collectible doesn't seem to do these pieces justice as they are so rich with history and personal value. Check out some of these pieces I found and if you have any artifacts of your own, perhaps passed down from your relatives, link them to this blog as I'm sure everyone would love to see them.

This deck chair was given to Reverend Henry W. Cunningham, who was the minister aboard the Minea during the body recovery. He received the chair in recognition of his work with burial and memorial services. This chair is one of the only intact chairs in the world that matches those visible in Titanic photographs. It is made of mahogany and an unidentified hard wood and it bears a carved five-pointed star, which is the emblem of the White Star Line.

This lounge paneling was recovered with bodies by the cable ship Minia and kept by her captain W.G. Squares de Carteret, who later donated it to the Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management. The carvers were given an outline but allowed to follow their own imagination in the details, so each carving is a unique piece of artwork. This particular piece comes from the arch over the forward entrance to the first class lounge, which is the area where the Titanic broke in half just before sinking, thus the broken edges.


Adolphe Saalfeld was a perfume maker from Manchester, England. At the age of 47, he boarded the Titanic as a first-class passenger, and he carried with him a leather satchel filled with perfume samples. At the time Titanic sailed, the American perfume market was booming. He may have planned to sell his perfumes to fashion boutiques and department stores in New York and other major cities. Adolphe Saalfeld survived the sinking but left his samples behind. Of the 65 vials that Saalfeld packed in his luggage, 62 have been recovered. These perfumes vials have never been on public display.


These brass letters spell “C dec” and were originally located in the first class grand staircase to direct passengers to the C level. The “k” was never recovered. This artifact has never been on public display.

Inventory Can Help Ease Stresses Of Fire, Flood Or Theft

iTaggit always places an emphasis on the importance of securely storing your items information and history on our site. We strive to organize to your life and serve to bring clarity about your things during a time of need. If only the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum had known about us, they might not be facing the organizing woes they are today.
The Associated Press has published a report citing that the library in Simi Valley was unable to properly account for more than 80,000 objects out of its collection of some 100,000 artifacts. The audit in question is connected to an investigation into allegations that a former employee stole from the Reagans' collection of gifts from foreign leaders and other dignitaries. Sadly, the sloppy record keeping at the library has hindered the efforts of the investigators to the point of possibly never completely covering the scope of what all is missing. Numerous storage lapses have also occurred, such as pieces of art being stacked on top of one another, and unwrapped sculptures and vases lying openly in an area prone to earthquakes.
Currently, the situation is bringing about some improvements. Some library volunteers said they were asked this summer to start an inventory project, which could take years to complete. Part of the major problem is that many presidential libraries are understaffed and don't have the same strict preservation guidelines used by most museums, as well as consistently struggling for funding. For more on this story, click here.
iTaggit comes in very handy when you need a quick inventory of your belongings for those “just in case” reasons, such as fire, flood or theft. To start a running inventory of your valuables now will undoubtedly save you time and effort in the future. Let us know if you need any help!

Space Collectibles May Gain Popularity With Recent Finding

You have a new reason to share your Star Trek and Star Wars memorabilia on iTaggit! Space exploration has gone one step further, turning science fiction into a real possibility. NASA scientists have recently released a statement saying they have discovered a fifth planet orbiting a star outside of our own solar system. The significance of this discovery suggests that there are many solar systems in the universe that are packed with planets just like our own. The new planet is said to have a mass about 45 times larger than that of Earth's and may resemble Saturn, but it is relatively the same distance from its sun star, 55 Cancri, as we are from ours. This is the first time five planets have been found orbiting a solar system outside of our own; previously only four had been spotted. Time to collect those old astronomy charts from the attic or closet and see if yours includes any of these new stars. I know I'm holding on to mine that still has Pluto as a legitimate planet! You never know what it might be worth some day. They say 55 Cancri is 41 light-years away in the constellation Cancer, just in case you were curious about its location.

All sci-fi enthusiasts and collectors will love this next part: Life could conceivably live on the surface of a moon that might be orbiting this newly found planet. So far though, a moon would be too small for scientists to find using their current methods of detection. Intergalactic real estate may not be available yet, but it seems that a vacation home among the stars isn't that far away after all.

For the original article and more information on the findings, click here.

Decorate Your Table With Fall Foliage And Fruit

We here in the iTaggit family are in the beginning stages of preparing for the holiday season. Christmas Wish Lists are being compiled and travel plans are being made. Recipes and holiday collectibles have been shared as well as fun tales of past gatherings. And we all know that decorating one's home can be a time-consuming, and sometimes frustrating task, so I have found a way to create an easy centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

Start by thinking about fall's unusual fruits and foliage, and let them inspire you. Search your market or grocery store for gourds, small pumpkins and colorful fruits, like figs, clementines, and star fruit, and gather oak leaves and branches from your yard (or a neighbor's if they don't mind). When arranged on a tiered cake stand, in bowls, or in carved out pumpkins, these harvest-time items make a centerpiece that takes only minutes to create, leaving you plenty of time to concentrate on the meal.

What You'll Need:

• Cake stands (assorted sizes), and/or pumpkins (hollowed out), and/or glass or decorative bowls

• Foliage, such as oak leaves, acorns, and branches

• Gourds, figs, star fruit, and nuts

• Dried cranberries or cherries, clementines and grapes

Here's How:

1. Use just one cake stand or stack three on top of each other to create tiers. You may wish to place a small glass bowl on top of the highest cake stand to complete the tier. In that bowl you can place a pyramid of clementines (or star fruit) to add a splash of vibrant color – making sure not to stack the small citrus so high that they will topple easily.
2. Start placing the leaves and branches on the cake stands. Arrange an assortment of figs, quinces, star fruit, gourds, and nuts on top of the leaves. If you don't have the cake stands, use two or three hollowed out pumpkins (assorted sizes) or two or three decorative bowls placed down the center of the table filled with the same items.

In addition to the centerpiece, don't forget to decorate the room with flowering fall blooms or colorful fall foliage in unexpected places – and add extra squash, pumpkins, and gourds. With the extra fruits and nuts, you can transform your entire table and decor by placing bowls of fresh figs, dried cranberries or cherries, grapes, and nuts around the main centerpiece. Vary the bowls' contents to include as wide a spectrum of colors as possible of both edible and non-edible items (such as acorns). As your Thanksgiving meal draws to an end, you can dismantle your centerpiece and snack on the fruits and nuts. Also, if you chose to purchase manufactured items, this centerpiece will be easy to recreate year after year. For this article and more holiday inspired decorations, click here.

Need help getting through your piles of collectibles? Let iTaggit help! We help manage collectibles for those who need it most. Organize collectibles by creating new collections on iTaggit to group them in. Show them off in our Gallery and send them to your friends to check out or add to. Research collectibles with our Google search tool to learn more about your things. Whatever it is that you seek for your collectibles, iTaggit will help you!