November 16, 2001
Greetings Accumulators!
It was a balmy seventy degrees in The Big Apple today! The streets were
jammed with people enjoying the great weather. I was out doing errands and
had to force myself to come back home and get some work done.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PETS WHO DON'T REQUIRE A LITTER BOX
Just when you think you've already seen the strangest collectible in the
world, one you can't imagine anyone finding attractive (I've seen toilet
paper squares, "Inspected By" stickers, airline barf bags. Heck, I can't
figure out why people like dead butterflies), along comes another. Can you
believe traffic cones? The Traffic Cone Preservation Society is dedicated
to giving the Pretty Little Pointy Ones their due. Go there and learn all
about the "Helpers Of Humanity", their habitats, their evolution, and the
weird folks who collect them. You can even adopt a small version of the
Rigid Rubber Road-sentry. If you want one, of course. The site is at
www.trafficcone.com. And don't tell 'em I sent you, please.
YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD WIZARD DEPARTMENT, or IS THIS THE GREATEST HYPE
SINCE MADONNA'S SEX BOOK, OR WHAT?
If you've been living in the Andromeda Galaxy for the last year or so, then
you might not know that the film, "Harry Potter and The Sorceror's Stone"
has opened this week, to much hoopla and even more merchandising. Already
I'm getting inquiries about whether any of these "collectible" items will
increase in value. C'monnnn. If you're buying the stuff as an investment
instead of as a gift for the younsters in your life, you'll be getting what
you deserve (think Beanie Babies, and you'll know what I mean). Everyone
with any interest in these items will buy one now. You may, of course, wait
thrity years or so, until the ten-year-olds of today grow up, wax nostalgic
about their childhood, and decide to buy it back. Frankly, even tech stocks
are a better investment than that! So, if you want to see just what Harry
stuff Warner Brothers has to offer, visit their website and the merchandise
page at WARNER BROTHERS. While
you're there you can register for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. Continuing Education is not what it used to be.
OBSESSIVE COLLECTOR EXPOSED
Andy Warhol exposed the true hearts of all collectors when he died in 1988
(was it relly that long ago?). His home turned out to be a warehouse full
of everything from kitsch to kitchen gadgets, furniture to folk art. His
obsessive consumerism was the dirty little secret all collectors share. Now
the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is mounting an exhibition, to run from
March 2 through May 19, 2002, called "Possession Obsession". It will
include 300 objects from his extensive personal collections, including
nineteenth century American furniture and folk art, cookie jars, Art Deco
furniture, Native American artifacts and fine and costume jewelry. For
information, call 412/237-8300. Museum hours are Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat,and
Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
This week, Artie and I are celebrating our seventeenth wedding anniversary.
He Who Is The Light Of My Life is a very patient man, and a true romantic.
He brought me a bouquet of flowers dyed to match the fuschia cover of my
book. So, this weekend we'll be dining out in honor of this milestone. If I
can fit some hunting and gathering in there as well, you know that I will.
You do the same. And if you've read my book, please PLEASE, go to
www.amazon.com and/or www.bn.com and post a review. The more reviews the
book gets, the better. I'm counting on you.
One more note, Accumulators: This week, New York City has again taken a
beating from the Fates. Lately, sorrow upon sorrow has landed on us. More
than 6,000 dead, 80,000 jobs lost, parts of the city that will take years
to be repaired and restored to use, monumental debt. Just want you to know:
we're standing together and we won't be buried. Thanks for all your good
wishes, America. Have a great weekend, Accumulators. Happy hunting!
Best,
Judith
© 2001 Judith Katz-Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Antiques and Collectibles Newsletter #162
U.S. Library of Congress
ISSN 1520-4464
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