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Collectibles

Collectibles

The category of collectibles (also commonly spelled collectables) is one of the most exciting and far-reaching fields at auction, including anything from autographs, advertising and ephemera to memorabilia, books and manuscripts, to coins, stamps and world currency. Many collectible items are considered relics of a bygone era, and often bear sentimental value in addition to their market value.

Types of Collectibles For Sale at Auction

Some of the most popular areas of collecting today include: books and maps, vintage advertising, memorabilia, coins and stamps, hunting and sporting collectibles, military and wartime collectibles, and fashion accessories. Prices in these categories depend on popularity or trends, scarcity of the item and comparable items, condition, perceived importance, and the overall state of the financial market.

Other popular collectibles at auction today include enamel signs, vintage Coca-Cola ads, U.S. coins, comic books, baseball cards, football cards, memorabilia and more. Personal effects and other items associated with celebrities (famous athletes, musicians, and actors) are wildly popular at auction, including Elvis Presley collectibles and Star Wars memorabilia

Coins and Stamps

The estimated annual market for rare coins in the United States overall is around $3 billion, with over 5,000 coin companies in the country. The US Postal Service estimates that 11 percent of Americans collect US stamps, making it the largest collecting hobby in the country. Roughly the same percentage of the British population also collects stamps, while percentages rise in Germany, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe.

The most expensive stamp ever sold is a British Guiana One-Cent Magenta, which sold at auction in June of 2014 for $9.5 million. Prior to that, the most expensive stamp ever sold was a Treskilling Yellow, which sold for $2.2 million in 1996. Not all stamps sell for earth-shattering prices, and many U.S. stamps can be easily acquired at auction for reasonable prices.

Memorabilia

Passing many performers in memorabilia sales, Elvis Presley lives on years after his death. Items dating from the 1950s and ‘60s, when Presley produced most of his music and films, are typically most valuable. And among sports fans, baseball cards still attract high prices at auction. Some cards even shockingly reach values in the millions; in 2016, Goldin Auctions sold a 1909–11 T206 “Jumbo” Honus Wagner, for $3.2 million.

Factors that can determine the value of a collectible item include its scarcity (how rare it is to find that item at auction), condition, and even provenance. Before buying at auction, be sure to research the item in advance and request a condition report.

Recommended Items at Auction

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Gould (John) & Richter (H. C.) Collection of plates from The Birds of Great Britain
Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT
Gould (John) & Richter (H. C.) Collection of plates from The Birds of Great Britain
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥800- ¥1,200
¥4,50017 Bids
1929 Five Dollar Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelp
Nov 21, 9:00 AM PST
1929 Five Dollar Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelp
by California Auction Company LLC
Est: $100- $200
$404 Bids
Certified 1.21 CTW Round Diamond Stud Earrings H/SI3
Feb 22, 10:00 AM PKT
Certified 1.21 CTW Round Diamond Stud Earrings H/SI3
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $6,200- $7,440
$3,6004 Bids
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1983 United States Mint Proof Set 5 coins
Mar 26, 10:00 AM EDT
1983 United States Mint Proof Set 5 coins
by Eldred's
Est: $250- $500
$53 Bids
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$100 reserve - Jewellers Sterling (925) Silver Bars (3)
Jan 14, 4:00 AM EST
$100 reserve - Jewellers Sterling (925) Silver Bars (3)
by NORMANDY AUCTION
Est: $105- $110
$1503 Bids
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1983 United States Mint Proof Set 5 coins
Mar 26, 10:00 AM EDT
1983 United States Mint Proof Set 5 coins
by Eldred's
Est: $250- $500
$52 Bids
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$110 reserve - Jewellers Sterling (999) Silver Bars (3)
Jan 14, 4:00 AM EST
$110 reserve - Jewellers Sterling (999) Silver Bars (3)
by NORMANDY AUCTION
Est: $115- $120
$1102 Bids
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A 20thC cast standish / inkstand with Art Nouveau floral and foliate decora
Feb 26, 10:00 AM EST
A 20thC cast standish / inkstand with Art Nouveau floral and foliate decora
by Eldred's
Est: $30- $50
$201 Bid
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WELCOME TO THE AUCTION
Feb 26, 10:00 AM EST
WELCOME TO THE AUCTION
by Eldred's
Est: $80- $100
$701 Bid
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Australia 1919 .//. Penny, VG/Fine
Jan 14, 4:00 AM EST
Australia 1919 .//. Penny, VG/Fine
by NORMANDY AUCTION
Est: $115- $135
$701 Bid
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Australia 1920 .//. Penny, VG/Fine
Jan 14, 4:00 AM EST
Australia 1920 .//. Penny, VG/Fine
by NORMANDY AUCTION
Est: $90- $115
$601 Bid
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Australia 1921, 1922 & 1929 'Indian Obv' Pennies,
Jan 14, 4:00 AM EST
Australia 1921, 1922 & 1929 'Indian Obv' Pennies,
by NORMANDY AUCTION
Est: $20- $30
$101 Bid
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Australia 1934 Penny, Very Fine (5 coins)
Jan 14, 4:00 AM EST
Australia 1934 Penny, Very Fine (5 coins)
by NORMANDY AUCTION
Est: $15- $20
$101 Bid
HOTTEST BRAND GOING CONOCO GASOLINE TIN SIGN
Dec 31, 4:00 PM CET
HOTTEST BRAND GOING CONOCO GASOLINE TIN SIGN
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
An early condensation of Froissart from the Sydenham library
Nov 22, 2:00 PM CET
An early condensation of Froissart from the Sydenham library
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $400- $600
$2001 Bid
Expensive USD DP PDP
Nov 07, 2:15 PM EST
Expensive USD DP PDP
by DP Test House
Est: $30,000- $50,000
$20,0001 Bid
The exceedingly rare first edition of Ben Jonson's comedy, The New Inn
Nov 22, 2:00 PM CET
The exceedingly rare first edition of Ben Jonson's comedy, The New Inn
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$6001 Bid
Lot 1 procelain porcelain
Nov 04, 1:00 PM AEDT
Lot 1 procelain porcelain
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $0- $0
$1001 Bid
The Persistence of Memory
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
The Persistence of Memory
by Abell Auction
Est: $400- $500
$3500 Bids
Campbell's Soup Cans
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
Campbell's Soup Cans
by Abell Auction
Est: $600- $800
$5500 Bids
The Birth of Venus
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
The Birth of Venus
by Abell Auction
Est: $1,000- $1,200
$9000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Collectibles


University Archives

University Archives

Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers

Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers

Eldred's

Eldred's