The value of something is only based on what people are willing to pay for it, this holds true for stocks, real estate and apparently memories. According to the Scoop Internet Newsletter from Geppi's Diamond Galleries, The world of popular culture collecting essentially has gone from auctions averaging a few hundred dollars each in 1967 to a collectibles industry exceeding the billion dollar mark, that’s not just inflation. It's built on the interests, and in many cases passions, of millions of individual collectors. Some examples Steve Geppi cited was a copy of Incredible Hulk #1 for $117,500, a cast iron Hubley Hill Climber motorcycle for $57,500 and a May 1953 Peanuts Sunday page and two Peanut dailies for a combined $110,740.
When it comes to considering a purchase or starting a collection, it is best to deal with professional dealers with long term interests as well. The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce has members that specialize in the vintage and collectible market, such as Wizard of Odds in Beach Haven Crest and Unshredded Nostalgia, which not only appraises and sells specialty items at their Barnegat retail location, but creates entire exhibits that are open to the public from the many collections they house.
For more information on The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce and the distinctive services that its members provide, please stop in our Visitor Center located at 265 West Ninth Street in Ship Bottom, visit www.discoversouthernocean.com or call 609 494 7211.
