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.