Some hobbyists work along traditional lines, collecting such items as rocks, stamps, or old coins. Others have a passion for collecting dolls, stuffed animals, spoons, medals, postcards, antiques, music recordings, or vacation memorabilia. The possibilities are endless! One U.S. attorney, for example, has a collection of some 200,000 railroad nails! He is one of hundreds of hobbyists who scour the countryside looking for old railroad nails that have a date stamped on the head.

It is amazing the things people collect—teeth and toupees, skulls and cookie jars, trolley-car tickets, hair and fans and kites and forceps, dogs and coins, canes, canaries and shoes, . . . buttons and bones, hatpins and forged signatures and first editions and gas masks.

Then there are collectors who have a taste for the bizarre. Take the case of a Russian countess who collected bedpans that had belonged to the rich and famous. A Japanese regent had a collection of 5,000 dogs—housing them in lavishly appointed kennels. According to Harper’s Magazine, one wealthy collector gathered thousands of fleas preserved in spirits in individual vials, marked with the place of origin and with the name of the host, animal or human, on which the flea had been found.

Extreme cases notwithstanding, the idea of collecting things is hardly peculiar to modern times. Amassing large collections of books and manuscripts, for example, is a very ancient pursuit. The book Light From the Ancient Past tells of how Assyrian King Ashurbanipal (seventh century B.C.E.) sent his scribes far and wide to collect copies of early records and documents for his royal library at Nineveh. Ashurbanipal’s palace containing this amazing library was unearthed in 1853.

The Greek and Roman aristocracy were likewise well-known for collecting art. The book Collecting—An Unruly Passion states: At the time of Cicero and Caesar, Rome epitomized victorious extravagance and conspicuous consumption. . . . Art dealers occupied entire city blocks. Some of the richest citizens even had their own private museums.

What Is the Fascination of Collecting?

Why do people today make a hobby of collecting things? The Encyclopedia Americana says: People pursue hobbies for many reasons but mainly for fun. Hobbies are relaxing and offer a change from daily routines. Yes, many simply find that spending time perusing their collection of cherished items is enjoyable.

A Hobby That Requires Balance is from collectibledollstore.net

Countries like Taiwan and Japan are known for being on the cutting edge of technology, as well as having many ridiculous concepts that never quite get off of the ground. Some collectors focus on getting all of the strange and ridiculous electronic devices that they can. These are the things that you see on the internet along with something like “Those Japanese inventors are so crazy!”. Well, these collectors don’t just talk about the inventions from afar – they actually import them, try them out, and keep them in their collections. I don’t know about you, but it seems like it would be interesting to take a tour through one of these collections.

Another popular field is that of old, antique cameras. Older cameras have a mysterious feel to them, since they use technology and mechanics that few are familiar with. Many of them also have shady backgrounds. When you have an interesting, old looking camera that you can’t find any information on, it awakens a deep-seated curiosity and a yearning for mystery. Some find this to be a very satisfying feeling, and this leads them to collect antique cameras from countries like Egypt, Russia, or Italy (among many others).

There is also a large market for old computer equipment that had some sort of huge effect on the industry. For example, the first computer to use transistors. That was an invention that made it possible to reach the types of computers that we have today. The first computers to use these are still around, and are considered to be valuable artifacts. There are many other similar innovations that have allowed for faster and more efficient computing. Technology progresses fast, so almost every year we’ll have some sort of new “first”.

Other collectible mechanical items include old record players and records. Many were mass produced and are considered nothing more than junk, but there are a few models that were considered the cream of the crop back then, and therefore are highly collectible now. You can find record players in thrift stores and yard sales across the nation. If you know what to look for, you might be able to find something valuable among all of the junk. You can also learn a lot about repair and diagnostics if you try to fix some old record players. It can teach you a valuable skill that will translate into may other areas.

It is always surprising to find out about some of the interesting things that people collect. This is no different. The foreign cameras and electronics mentioned here are just a few of the strange collectable items that are seeing increasing popularity in America. If you are intrigued by the thought of having at least a few of these items in your collection, then you should look into having them imported. You can do this through the internet, or you can meet a contact in a foreign country and have them send you collectibles in the mail. Both of these are great ways to get in on some of the unique and interesting fads that are sweeping the collectible hobby industry. Look today and see if there is anything that piques your interest.

Surprising Collectibles is from collectibledollstore.net

There are all kinds of truly beautiful oriental items for sale and you will be sure to find things that are far more unusual than the goods you will see in other stores. Japanese dolls are another gorgeous idea to consider. They have something about them that just makes them look so special. They have grace and elegance and can look absolutely stunning when they are set on a shelf in your home. Many people collect these and have small collections of them in their homes.

Japanese fans are a wonderful thing to give to someone as a present and there are all sorts of different colours and designs available. You can even buy special stands for them so that they can be displayed to their full potential.

If you want to buy something special for your husband or boyfriend, then you cannot go far wrong with a men’s Kimono. The word ‘Kimono’ actually translates as ‘a thing to wear’. These are a beautiful thing to wear around the house and they look very elegant. Kimonos come in literally hundreds of different designs so you can be sure to find one that will look lovely on your partner. Because,even if they don’t come out and say so, men enjoy a little pampering as well!

There are also some stunning pieces of jewellery from Japanese shops. A lot of it is so visually appealing because they lean more toward simplicity in their designs than we do. A variety of bracelets, necklaces and earrings are available and you won’t find these for sale in other stores, so you can be truly original.

For children there are some lovely traditional toys. Kids may want to have the latest games and consoles just like their friends but they also love to have toys that no-one else has. But there are some toys that are becoming very popular amongst grown-ups too. Kokeshi dolls have been in production for around 150 years and come in a huge variety of designs. They are beautiful things to have and each one is wonderfully unique.

If you have no-one to buy for (but you desperately want an excuse for treating yourself!) then how about having a look at the selection of Japanese woodblock prints? These will look absolutely stunning on a wall in your home. They were even one of the biggest influences on the work of painters such as Van Gogh.

The Japanese culture has so much to offer and it is such a refreshing change to the goods that we are so used to seeing in the mainstream shopping areas.

Why Japanese Products Make Beautiful Gifts is from collectibledollstore.net

HELP I have to get Rose(My doll) before she is retired in July!

Answers below in Comments Section

I need to make some money, not online? is from collectibledollstore.net

As their name suggests, all rare collectibles are scarce, hard to find items. They can be antiques that are desirable because of their age, type of craftsmanship or some other unique feature that represents the past. Some rare collectibles are so old that they are considered to be antiquities – artifacts of an ancient civilization such as ancient Greek or ancient Chinese society. Alternatively, rare collectibles can be of very recent origin, sometimes being only a few years old.

The common denominator of all rare collectibles, no matter what their type or age, is rarity. Frequently, because of their scarcity and their appeal, rare collectibles are also valuable. But whether they are valuable or inexpensive, rare collectibles are always important pieces in a collection.

Rare is …

The definition of “rare” or “rarity” changes with the type of object, and accordingly, the definition of “rare collectibles” is somewhat imprecise – there is no strict line of demarcation between what is “rare” and what is “not rare.” In some instances an item is considered to be a rare collectible because only one or two examples of that object are known to exist in the entire world. In other cases, hundreds or even thousands of a particular object may have survived to the present, but because their existence has not yet been discovered (such as very old porcelain dolls that were kept in a trunk that is now buried in an attic) or they are fragile and easily damaged (such as pottery, an early postage stamp or a 200 year-old piece of paper ephemera), high quality examples are considered to be scarce.

Almost Any Type of Object Can Become a Rare Collectible, if Scarce Enough.

Thousands of different types of rare collectibles exist throughout the world. Certain coins and postage stamps, books and manuscripts, pottery, weapons and other militaria, antique tools, original artwork, antique furniture, and paper ephemera can all be rare collectibles. “Paper ephemera” consists of written or printed material that has survived to the present despite the fact that the pieces were originally produced as disposable items, intended to be quickly discarded or destroyed. Examples of ephemera that can be rare collectibles include certain postcards, posters, trade cards, leaflets, exposition programs and advertising flyers, all common enough at the time, but mostly thrown away almost immediately. Some autographs, travel souvenirs and collectible memorabilia are also rare collectibles.

Rare collectibles can be from anywhere in the world and from any culture. Rare Oriental collectibles include small items such as Chinese Dynastic pottery or temple objects, as well as large items such as articles of traditional clothing or armor from the Japanese feudal period. European rare collectibles are equally varied, and range from ancient Greek statuary to the beautifully illuminated (illustrated) maps that were drawn by early cartographers during the Age of Exploration in the 16th Century. Collectible, rare objects from the Americas include certain pieces of Native American (Indian) pottery, blankets or beadwork, original historical documents from Colonial or Revolutionary times, and ancient Inca, Aztec or Maya amulets, pottery and carvings.

Why Collect Rare Collectibles?

Many people seek out rare collectibles because of their inherent value. For these people, rare collectibles are a form of investment. But the primary motivation for many other collectors is the “thrill of the hunt” – that certain sense of satisfaction that is felt when a very hard to find piece is tracked down and finally located somewhere in the world.

Why Collect Rare Collectibles? is from collectibledollstore.net

Modern bobblehead dolls first appeared in the 1950s, and were initially made of papier-mache, and then from ceramic. Although the ceramic dolls were popular, they were fairly expensive, and were considered mainly collectors’ items. Eventually, however, manufacturers started making the dolls from plastic, allowing for a cheaper manufacturing process, which made the dolls more affordable.

Early dolls were made to resemble animals and popular cultural characters, and were often used as advertising icons and automobile accessories (one very popular such doll was that of the dashboard ‘hula girl’). Around 1960 Japanese-made papier-mache ‘baseball’ bobbleheads began to be imported into America. These early pieces were generic figures representing teams and their mascots, rather than individual players. Typically, the dolls for all teams would look the same, except that they would be wearing the uniform for the particular team being depicted. During this time there were a few dolls made up to represent some of the more famous players of the day, but they differed from their respective team dolls only by the uniforms they wore. Unfortunately, few of these papier-mache dolls have survived without some sort of damage (usually cracking or chipping), although those that have survived in good condition are now valuable collectors’ items.

In the 1970s, bobbleheads were made of ceramic materials, and became popular for other sports, as well as for popular cultural and cartoon characters. However, by the mid-1970s, interest in the dolls had again died out, and very few new dolls were made for nearly two decades, when they became popular again.

In the 1990s, the dolls began to be made from plastic, which greatly reduced their cost, and facilitated the making of many variations of dolls to represent specific cultural figures and other notable people. After 2000, many different variations of the dolls began to appear, and a number of companies started to offer dolls that could be customized to the buyers’ specifications. Modern dolls that represent specific individuals closely resemble those individuals, even including such things as headbands, scars, tattoos, and hair styles.

The greater diversity of the dolls, and their decreased cost, have, once again, made them a very popular item, and have rekindled interest in collecting them. Today bobblehead dolls have become an integral part of our culture. They have truly become one of the world’s most recognizable cultural icons.

The Bobblehead Doll – A Cultural Icon is from collectibledollstore.net

• Dal Doll – Coline
• Model #: F-321
• Released date: Apr. 2008

Product Description
Other accessories included with doll & outfit:
- Bonnet
- Sheep Pochette
- Doll stand… More >>

Coline – F321 Dal Doll Pullip Doll Jun Planning Doll – Japanese Collectible Doll

Coline – F321 Dal Doll Pullip Doll Jun Planning Doll – Japanese Collectible Doll is from collectibledollstore.net

Reborn baby dolls are the newest collectible item in the market. There are a number of reasons for it. Firstly they so much resemble real babies that it’s a pleasure to look at and hold them. Secondly, their skin that is made of soft material and vinyl is again a pleasure to touch. The veins and capillaries add to the beauty. Thirdly their clothes that depict different regions, tastes and even seasons, give them an additional dimension.

One can order ethnic reborn baby dolls also. These reborn dolls can be black, European, American(not much different from European),Japanese, Chinese, etc .The manufacturers name these lovely creatures accordingly and you would find names like Anna, Suzan, Coral, Chen, etc for girl reborn baby dolls. Of course males would have the standard male names.

The ethnic baby dolls have all the facial features complementing their race or area. A black reborn baby doll would not only have black, soft, shiny skin, but black eyes, snubbed nose, big, pouty lips, and tight curly hair. It would still have manicured hands and pedicure feet like all others. A Japanese baby doll, whether male or female, would of course have small eyes , snubbed nose, ivory skin tone and black straight hair. An American or European doll would look like the babies of that descent.

The clothes and accessories of these ethnic reborn baby dolls complement them in a big way. We can get clothes from kimonos to cardigans, jumpers to swimsuits, feet pajamas to skirts. The accessories again depict the area the reborn baby doll is supposed to represent.

A black doll can have beaded plaits to be attached to her head as a hair accessory as one sees African women adorning themselves in a similar way. It can also have big chunky ear-rings which are of course hypoallergenic. A Western doll can have faux diamonds which are again hypoallergenic. It, too, can have necklaces, bracelets, hair pieces to enhance its beauty. The same can be said for Japanese reborn baby dolls, also.

A foster mummy belonging to one ethnic group can, for a change, adopt a reborn baby doll having another ethnic identity .For example, an American mummy can go for a Japanese doll or vice versa, etc .

The foster mummies can definitely learn to take care of the reborn baby dolls regardless of their ethnic affiliations. It is well advised that potential buyers should visit website like eBay and Amazon to get good bargains. If foster parents are allergic to any material, they better check out with the manufacturers.

Ethnic Reborn Baby Dolls is from collectibledollstore.net