When it comes to vintage video games the price range for what a particular vintage video game is worth can range from hardly-worth-anything ($2.00 or $3.00 dollars) to worth a small fortune (in the 2 to 3 thousand dollar price range). It will depend on the vintage video game you wander upon during your search so be on the lookout for some of the more popular vintage video games finding one of them could mean a few extra bucks.
Every once in a while, how rare and antique an older video game is, in addition to its condition, can culminate into a nice profit which is why I restrict my vintage video game searches to the combination of very old and very rare when it comes to video games. You, of course, can make your own rules when it comes to the vintage video games you collect and sell. Besides the Flea Market, there are Garage sales (also known as Rummage Sales, Yard Sales, Estate Sales, and Tag Sales) along with Thrift stores are still some of the best places to look for video games and other video game equipment. Competition nowadays for vintage and newer video games is high thanks to the internet/Craigslist in some ways the internet can make your search easier. Some of the more popular vintage video games still in demand. The vintage video game Primal Rage (1994 vintage) can sell for $200 to $300 dollars according to The-Gamer.com.
A couple of times while searching for vintage video games, especially yard or garage sales that were advertised. By the time I got there, which I thought would be early and very close to the beginning of the sale, a lot of the video game things I found were leftovers from the super early birds who ignored the “No Early Birds” warning to beat me to the punch. In my case, vintage video games are just one of the things I look for. That being the case I am not afraid to ask, even if I don’t see any video game-related things around, “do you have any video game stuff?” A lot of times it can be helpful if you mention a brand name associated with video games like old-computer-games, Sega Genesis, Atari, Game Boy or Nintendo to see if any mental light bulbs turn on you just might be pleasantly surprised to see what some people think of as electronic video game junk.
These are some places that buy and sell vintage video games Places like DKOldies You can find and sell vintage video games at the Old School Video Gamevault They offer cash for selling used video games online and Well Kept Wallet is another place that buys and sells vintage video games
“I’ll show you who’s boss!” is what the sight of lion jewelry says because it roars! (stylistically) In a crowded room, the people most likely to stand out and be the life of the party may well be wearing lion jewelry. The jewelry I refer to as Royal Jewelry with the lion’s head emblem. These people are almost always take-charge, charismatic and naturally the stars of the show, a lot like the lion in their accessories.
This is because people who choose lion jewelry are often strong-willed and proud types, I’m guessing a good example would be the British Royal Family and their British Royal Jewelry collection contains plenty of lions jewelry. People wearing lion jewelry are also quite often leaders, so don’t be surprised if your high-powered corporate boss happens to be sporting a solid-gold lion’s head ring or pendant! People who wear lion jewelry don’t just do it for a show — well, all right, they wear it mainly for show and to radiate a message out to the world, and that message is “I’m in control!”
The lion motif in jewelry is frequently associated with the Western zodiac sign Leo. As with rabbit jewelry, it might be reasonable to assume that people sporting the lion motif were born under this zodiac sign. The Leo is dominant, spontaneous, creative and extroverted. They are most comfortable in a position of command. Leos are fun and effective communicators. They are gifted with the unique ability to stand out and take charge on any occasion, I’m sure there is probably part of the royal jewelry collections.
Even in private, Leos like to be fussed over and given full attention. All eyes on the king! The worst thing you can do to a Leo loved one is to wound his or her pride, to belittle his or her achievements.
When they are dedicated to a cause, you will know it! Leos are idealistic and single-minded and they’re good at drawing people into their circles, a whirlwind schedule of alternating charity parties and outreach events are nothing to them. They are adventurous, but they are never sloppy. Leos are famous for suddenly planning getaways like backpacking across Europe — and they will accomplish it, even on a surprisingly small budget!
Add an extra sparkle to your Leo’s eyes with a surprise gift of lion jewelry. Or treat yourself to a few choice bracelets and rings, and feed the lion within!
Pocket watch photoart
If you would like to add a pocket watch to your men’s, or women’s jewelry collection, like a lot of my Steampunk friends what’s the best place to shop for a pocket watch? Unlike back in the days when pocket watches were plentiful, from the 16 century to just after WWI and the invention of the wristwatch, no self-respectful railroad engineer or conductor would be caught without that valuable piece of tradition and the places to buy a pocket watch were everywhere. Modern-day watchmakers have just about put an end to the use of the old nostalgic pocket watch when it comes to adding it to your wardrobe.
The good news is that due to demand, the antique and pocket watch industry has increased over the past few years so while demand is nowhere near what it once was for the pocket watch the desire of some people to own a pocket watch is still alive. Because of this modern-day demand, many have taken interest in buying, selling, and even trading different pocket watch brands. Working with my Zazzle affiliate I have even created a few pocket watch designs that are available. However, before I created some modern pocket watches. I was once involved in a search for the best pocket watch at the best pocket watch price that ended up including a little pocket watch history so let me share some of that with you.
These days an antique store is one of the best resources in locating a pocket watch. As obvious as it may sound there are a large number of people that overlook this option when searching for a Swiss pocket watch or vintage pocket watch. If you can find an antique store that specializes in jewelry, it will make the chances of you finding that perfect pocket watch even better.
An alternative to an antique store is a flea market. There are many bargains available at flea markets and if you find a great flea market, you may just find a great looking pocket watch for an equally great price. Not only could you end up saving money, but you could find the pocket watch you have been looking for.
If an antique store or flea market is not available where you are another place to look for pocket watches is at a garage sale. Garage sales can be a little “hit or miss” when it comes to searching for a pocket watch but if you do happen to find a pocket watch, there is the possibility you can get it for fractions of what it may cost at an antique store. This is the cheapest way to find a great pocket watch, however, it may take longer to find what you are after.
If you get the chance to visit a garage sale in your area it’s a good idea to ask the person giving the garage sale if they actually have what you are looking for (pocket watches). I did this once when on a search for cuff links. Upon arriving I went around to the few tables where there was some jewelry and asked if there had any cuff links. The person disappeared into their house and returned with a box of jewelry that I was told they had planned to put once the matched up some of the pieces, I was invited to go through the box and I did make some finds.
These are just a few places you can begin your search for the perfect pocket watch. Be sure to shop around and compare the prices between vendors. Sometimes you could even get them to knock off a few bucks if you mention that you saw one at another shop that you were interested in. With the resurgence of vintage pocket watches in general, chances are that you can find a good looking, working pocket watch at a great price.
Vintage Sewing Pattern Collecting
Vintage sewing collectible are a relatively new addition to my collectibles. Hopefully some of the things I have learned will be useful for someone just getting started in collecting vintage sewing patterns. For me it’s been rather exciting learning about sewing notions, patterns, buttons, accessories, and some of the people who collect and sell them.
Collecting Vintage sewing patterns is the topic of this article, in particular, what to look for, and how to preserve what you find. My mother, Eunie Mae, left me with many of her handmade knickknacks, among them the vintage patters that got me started down the collecting trail. She enjoyed working with her hands putting together funny looking winter hats and scarves that would actually fend off the cold of a chilly San Francisco winter weather. She used present her handmade pieces of love as Christmas, or on birthday gifts.
Over the years I have watch sewing technology blossom way beyond the simple needle-N- thread sewing machine, my mother use to sew, stitch, and mend all-seven of her children’s clothing on. In fact modern day swing machines have been equipped with an electronic brain, that I personally feel can become impatient with beginners, leaving a newbie to swing (like me) longing for the good old simple days of the machine sewing.
You might say I have developed a real love and appreciation for the simplicity and efficiency of the past. Don’t get me wrong though, I appreciate modern day sewing technology too, and in some ways the fact that new sewing technology has contributed to making life, for those who love to sew, easier. When it comes to preserving sewing methods and techniques from long ago I’m an even bigger fan of sewing antiques, and somewhere near the top of my, sewing things from the past, list are vintage sewing patterns.
Vintage sewing patterns are still in demand even though the average price for patterns has gone up above the original .25 to .75 cents sewing pattern price, from days-of-old. There are still deals to be found at the garage and estate sales listed in the local newspaper. If you get lucky and come across someone, closing, or getting rid of their old sewing business or dress shop, the way one of my friends did, vintage sewing patterns can usually be found in those collections.
If you find yourself on the buying side of the vintage pattern equation make sure that the seller you’re dealing with has checked the pattern you’re about to spend your money on. Don’t want any unpleasant surprise once you get the pattern home, like missing pieces, or pieces that don’t belong to that pattern. Most vintage patterns prior to the early 50’s came with precut pieces. So don’t assume, or be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you’re getting what you think you’re offering your money for, (a complete pattern) or at least to be forewarned if a pattern piece is missing.
If you find yourself on the seller’s side, when it comes to vintage patterns, the most serious problem I’ve heard of so far in the collecting and selling vintage sewing patterns is summing up the courage to part with some of your collection. Especially if the pattern is one of the rare ones, like the old Hollywood patterns; one of the most popular Hollywood vintage sewing patterns is the Lucille Ball sewing patterns. I list some sources that will be helpful in determining the value of collectible patters, at the bottom of this post.
That way if you find one, or if you already have a truly vintage pattern in your collection of vintage patterns you’ll have a little help figuring out just how rare the vintage pattern you are holding on to is, and perhaps whether or not you actually have the last copy of that pattern in the known universe. You see, in my imagination, nothing would be worse than waking up in the middle of the night with a horrifying look on your face and screaming—NO! Into the camera (of course I dream in motion picture form) because I parted with a rare pattern, believing that I would replace it with another one day only to have my nightmare tell me I was wrong!
Okay that might be a little too dramatic, the idea I’m trying to get across is, if you’re on the collecting and selling side you might want to be a little careful about what you put up for sale from your collection. With collectible or vintage sewing pattern, condition of the pattern, is import. However, if a pattern you’re scoping out is in the rare category, say like an early-day-1930-1950’s Hollywood pattern variety, I might be inclined to be a little forgiving on the condition side. Of course that means you might not come away with the entire pattern, and since most patterns were not really meant to last forever, perhaps some missing, faded, or degraded pattern parts. On the other hand I think being able to add a truly vintage collectible pattern to your collection will make the problems listed above worth it.
If you’re the buyer vintage sewing patterns it also pays to have a few duck-in-a-row before you buy, hopefully you have weighed other factors, before you buy like, how trustworthy the seller is, and whether or not you feel like you’re getting a good deal. At the end of this article you will find some information on how to De-Acidify (remove the acid content from) vintage pattern paper.
Unlike patterns from Canada that came with the date stamped on them, making it easy to know what time period a pattern was from, the same was not true for all of the U.S. issued patterns. At one time all you needed to do to solve this problem was refer to the handy countertop pattern catalogs to bring yourself up to date about a vintage sewing pattern. While rare these days, vintage pattern catalogs still exist they are also a lot more expensive these days, just checkout what counter pattern catalogs are selling for on E-Bay. I still consider the store counter pattern catalog a tool for the vintage pattern collector, and something that could be worth its approximate weight in gold, to the vintage pattern collector.
Hollywood patterns were usually associated with a motion picture, which in turn could be associated with a specific year making the Hollywood vintage pattern relatively easy to determine an origination time. I’m sure there are other CSI methods for tracking down and determining the birth year of a particular pattern, I’ll share any others I learn about. Major collectible patterns like Marian Martin, Spadea, and Anne Adams were helpful when it came to establishing their pattern’s origination time period. These pattern makers used date stamping on the patterns they shipped in the U.S.
Maybe I should just think about collecting vintage counter pattern catalogs since they seem to be just as out-of-date as some of the old-fashioned patterns I’m keeping an eye open for. To me a lot of the fun in collecting is the education I usually get while researching or looking up information about a particular pattern; here’s hoping your collecting brings you the same learning and joy.
Every since the first trains appeared in the early 20th Century people have been collecting, and preserving model railroad memorabilia. So model railroad collecting has been around since the 1840’s. Fast forward to the future, more accurately today, and you find model railroad collectors like me still carrying on the model railroad collecting in these more modern times, complete with all the modern inventions and advancements that have been made one hundred and seventy five years later.
It’s easy for the new hobbyist, or would be model railroad collector, to feel a little overwhelmed after all the advancements in the hobby, toys train sets for children, collectors sets, and the expense associated with collecting model railroad bits, pieces, and in some cases entire train sets. A bad selection for a newbie model-railroad-collector can cost you; so here are a few model railroad collecting suggestions that might be helpful to the model train collecting new comer.
If possible in your area become a part of the model railroad community; you will find many different websites online that would be helpful in locating a model railroading club in your area. You can even checkout my Pinterest page: Model Railroading. Most train clubs for model railroading groups are made up of younger and older member who are usually very good at sharing insider information on identifying and caring for vintage train engines, rolling stock, and other model railroad related collectibles and keepsakes.
Think about a starter kit, something that will help you introduce yourself to the world of model railroad collecting and allow you to decide on the model railroad grade (usually related to track size) you want to explore collecting: HO scale (87.1:1 ratio), G-scale (22.5:1 ratio), the most popular O-scale (48:1 ratio) from makers like American Flyer, Lionel, Bachmann, or Tyco. While it is not possible to mix different scales, meaning an HO scale train cannot run on 0 scale Lionel train track, all of these collectibles model train scales can be part of your, depending on the space you have available for your track layout and or your display area. My board track layout has 0 scale tracks on the bottom with HO scale track on top so in a way you actually can mix the two scales, I guess if they’re run as separate systems. Just in case you’re keeping score yes! That does equals two model railroading hobbies for me.
Ho and O scale track
One of the great things about belonging to a model train club is the opportunity to buy the model railroad excesses from other member, at least that was true in my case, and sell or trade your own extras in an effort to grow your model railroad collection over time. If you see model railroading as only a means for selling to collectors, and not necessarily collecting them yourself then all of the above can be your audience/customers too, whether or not you join the model railroading hobby or not. Knowing what to pick (model railroad wise) can still be of value to you if all you wish to do is sell.
E-Bay is a great place to look for model railroad train engines, cars, and accessories and E-Bay is a place where you can buy as well as sell. I started with E-Bay because of their buyer protection, reasonable prices, and free shipping can give a friendly boost to your sales. You can also search Trains, Toys & Hobby, and Model Trains, or other search word combinations associated with the Keywords trains and model railroading while trying to track down collectible model trains and their accessories. I would even include the new Online Goodwill Stores because in my hunt for model railroad bits and pieces I often run across some nice looking deals there that include trains, track, and accessories for just about all of the different train and track sizes.
Hopefully by following some of these steps will prove helpful to your model train collecting and allow you to become just a little more knowledgeable about the art and craft of collecting model train stock and with that knowledge and wisdom grow to the point you to know exactly what to hold on to, and what you can safely, and without any loss of money get rid of and help some other model railroad club members grow their train collection. You will learn that in model railroad collecting brand names, like the already mentions, Lionel, American Flyer, Bachmann and Tyco, really do count!
To a model railroad collector there is much value in a brand name they can recognize so this information is important to the beginner model railroad collector. Be careful with none brand name model train makers that offer train sets and accessories at attractively low prices without a brand name to back them up. When it comes to model railroad collecting, and selling, to other train-club members brand name is a key selling point for the beginner.
Note for new collector’s brand name railroad cars (also referred to as rolling stock) and train engines can be devalued all the way down to one half of the mint condition price if they come without their original box and printed material. Keep in mind that with model railroad collector’s original packaging and parts can bring a lot to the deal you may be trying to make because those are the things serious model railroad collectors look for. Don’t let the beginner’s mistake of discarding any instruction sheets, cardboard liners, or what you believe are unnecessary or leftover parts, another big no-no is tossing out the original box the train engine or railroad car came in.
Learning the value of the original materials surrounding your model train piece, what is important to lookout for and hold on to because in model trains even the wrappings can add value to the model railroad collectible you want to sell, that way if you end up being one of two or more people selling the same model railroad item at the same event a serous collector looking for the most out of his model railroad collectible investment could be drawn to you the one who held on to all that came with your model train offer.
Choose your brand name starter set then be patient and sensible with regard to new model railroading choices. It pays to do a little online research, whenever possible, especially for a new addition to your collection whether you plan on joining this more than one hundred year old hobby, or just want to take advantage of model railroad pieces you come across in your collector’s web searches, garage sale, or online collectible resources. Over time as you grow your experience and become a little more confident than today. You will see that the collector’s market for model railroad trains, train sets, and accessories can be profitable and a relaxing fun way to relax.
gold panning two
In my travels along the dusty Information Super Highway (or cyber space) all of which mean simply “the internet,” I came across a method of mining gold from electronic component parts. It seems that jewelry is not the only way for precious metal collectors (in this case gold collectors) to collect gold; wearable jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings) of course are the most accessible and easiest way to collect gold or silver pieces, whether you collect precious metals for your collection, or for resale. Mining electronic component parts is another, slightly harder way to collect gold that is also a little more labor intensive but in the long run could lead to profit.
The electronic parts I am talking about come from discarded and no longer useable electronic circuit boards, more specifically the computer circuit board connectors, the gold is usually found where the circuit-board connects to a matching socket on the circuit board. Gold plating is used at these points because gold is an excellent current conductor, and gold also resists corrosion, a condition that is a real show stopper when it comes to electronic current flow, circuit resistance, and proper circuit operation. You will find some video information at the end of this article that will go into more specific detail about extracting the gold on circuit board connectors from no longer useful computer circuit boards; a word of caution.
Extracting gold from electronic components requires the use of chemicals, and chemicals can definitely change the equation if the chemicals necessary are mishandled. I am a believer is safety so this process of gold extraction should be looked at more as informational, and not as instructional. Meaning that if after reading about this process you decide you want to try reclaiming gold from electronic parts proper instructions should be sought, along with the reading and understanding of the MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) for the chemicals involved. The, caution part, mean this process may not be for everyone, people with small children, or maybe a clumsy pet.
If you decide to give this method of collecting gold a try I suggest you take great care in reading and researching, the MSDS for Muriatic Acid/hydrochloride, and Hydrogen peroxide, the two chemicals involved. Wear the proper safety equipment (face, hand, and eye protection) try not to work indoors and follow all recommended disposal instruction for the equipment and materials used. I have not done this before so, for me, I’m sure perhaps a space suit would be necessary.
Tools required are usually, some-sort of wire cutter, or tin snip for cutting away the connector part containing the gold bits on the circuit board, a small squeeze or spray bottle of H20 (water), a tempered glass container (old glass coffee pot). Remove or make sure there is no electronic solder on the circuit board, the only two metal sources you want in the chemical solution are copper and its gold plating. After you remove the connector gold fingers, as they are referred to by the electronic pros, they are soaked in the 200ml Muriatic Acid, 100ml Hydrogen Peroxide mixture for a day or so.
The chemical mixture dissolves the copper, indicated by and emerald green color to the chemical solution when the copper is being dissolved, and separates and allows the gold plating foils strips to float free in the chemical solution. Use of a paper strainer can be used to separate the gold flakes from the solution. Allow them to dry, then brush the remaining gold flakes into a plastic bag.
I guess any kind of mining for precious metals, including this one, involves hard and sometimes dangerous work, whether you are panning for gold, the good old prospector’s way, or recycling computer parts for the good of humanity and the environment. To me this would be the hard way since I am often near my grand-kids, and my animal (an over active dog) is very clumsy so at least in my case there would be high probability of a major chemical spill. Your situation may be different than my own grand-kid-wise, you might even be lucky enough to have a very well-trained-well-coordinated-pet. This method of reclaiming gold is just one more way of collecting precious metals that for some gold and silver collectors may sound appealing.
The process is really kind of neat and can leave you with a small amount of unrefined gold flakes, the internet if full of scrapper, and reclaiming videos that go into even more detail about not only extraction, but the gold refining process too. The process works with not only electronic parts it also works with items that have a gold trip so save grandma’s broken gold inlay pieces, that gold trim just might still be reclaimable. If chemicals are not for you there is another kind of mining I do that involves my Goodwill store.
Since I began shopping at Goodwill online whenever an object of interest gets my attention I have noticed that, just like visiting my local Goodwill store in person, Goodwill is great at gathering together and packaging jewelry in plastic bags and selling the entire sack for a few bucks. I paid $9.00 for a bag of jewelry online, that with shipping came to a total of $18.00, and about $25.00 for a bag of mixed jewelry at my local Goodwill store. While mining my Goodwill jewelry bag I found one white gold chain and one small diamond necklace plus I even developed my own recovery process when it comes to mining a bag of jewelry with regard to cleaning and making jewelry pieces sparkle again. Untangling chain, and sifting through jewelry pieces so far haven’t netted me any major jewelry finds but I have to admit it is kind of a fun way to spend my time.
Whatever method of mining precious metals you choose have fun doing it, “safe” fun, I don’t have a video about my Goodwill method of mining, but here’s the video for mining electronic circuit boards.
This blog was created to share information about collecting and selling antiques of all different types shapes and sizes and is meant mainly for the non-professional antiques hunters, dealers, and appraisers.
Actor Ty Warner started the Beanie Baby craze and the adorable, cuddly, little creatures made their way into millions of homes, toy boxes, and children’s beds it seemed that everybody had to have one, or in my case a half dozen once upon a time. Over the years Beanie Babies have spawned many collectors who in most cases have stored, and maintained, entire collections of the plush little creature with the filling that makes them feel like a little bean bag when you hold them in your hand.
If you are one of those collectors do you know what your entire collection is worth? Do you know what a single member of your Beanie Baby collection is worth? Can you spot a counterfeit Beanie Baby? This article should help you answer all-of-the-above question, especially if you are giving some serious thought to selling some, or all of your Beanie Baby collection. Even if you don’t want to sell being aware of the value of your Beanie Baby, or Babies, might still be useful in terms of insurance value.
Here are some of the ways to determine the value of the members of your Beanie Baby collection. Is your Beanie Baby Authentic? Go to Ty.com and learn things like when your Beanie Baby went out of production, or was retired. At Ty-dot-com along with some really neat Beanie Baby information you can also checkout the Things to do section for Today’s Tidbits, your daily Beanie Baby Horoscope, and Ty around the world. You can also seek out your local Beanie Baby expert for a closer inspection should you have any questions about how rare your Beanie Baby is, and to be sure you are not housing one of the counterfeit Beanie Baby toys that were made.
The condition of your Beanie Baby along with the tag that came with it are both very important, and each can have an effect on the selling price so make sure your Beanie Baby is still in good condition, along with the Ty-tag. Consulting a Beanie Babies catalog or price guide can give you some idea of your particular Beanie Babies value and a check of online auction sites like E-Bay can give you an idea of what a particular Beanie Baby item is actually selling for. Restrict your search to “completed sales” only to save time.
When you’re ready to sell try to determine the maximum, and the minimum price range for your Beanie Baby, or Babies, and shoot for the middle range to make sure your Beanie Baby remains an attractive choice to a perspective buyer; if you can—avoid selling your Beanie Baby toy collection in groups since the best return on your investment will come from selling each Beanie Baby separately. Hopefully this information will help you come up with a fair market price that leaves both you and your buyer happy.
