Rare Books and Collectibles

Comic books are magazines that are made up of narrative artwork that are set out scene by scene to tell a story. They have been enjoyed by children and adults for many years and have now become a collector’s item.

History

Comic books first became popular during the 1930’s with such well known and loved superheroes as Superman, Batman and Captain Marvel. Comic book popularity grew from here (mainly due to the concept of specialty comic book stores opening) and in the 1960’s the concept of comic book conventions began. Comic book conventions provided a place where comic book enthusiasts could come together and discuss their favorite comics with each other. Today comic book conventions have become a worldwide phenomenon.

Reasons

Some of the reasons that people collect comics include:

• including appreciation,
• financial profit
• nostalgia
• completion of the collection

Protecting Collectable Comics

Comic books should be stored in a cool, dry place (as sunlight can bleach the pages and can also react with the paper causing it to ‘yellow’, and heat and moisture can also damage them).

As comic book collection became more popular the need to protect and preserve comics became apparent to keep the comics in the best possible condition and stop them from aging and losing value. A range of bags, boxes, and acid-free “backing boards” were designed to keep the comic book flat and protect them from elements that cause aging. Collectors advise that it is best not to store comics in cardboard boxes (or in a manner that uses cardboard backing. This is because that acid in the cardboard can react with the fibers of the paper of the comics that can cause the comics to deteriorate.

Stamp collecting is one of the most popular hobbies and while it is mainly focuses on the collection of postage stamps it can also extend to the collection of other related objects.

The Penny Black was the first postage stamp to be issued. It featured a picture of Queen Victoria and was issued in Brian in 1840. Stamp collecting began around 1860-1870 and was originally started by children and teenagers. Adults originally saw the hobby has childish behavior and did not participate until much later.

Some countries have created a source of income out of stamp collecting by creating limited edition stamps designed to be purchased by stamp collectors. These stamps are rare and usually very elaborate in their design.

Below is a list of equipment that is recommended when starting your own stamp collection:

• Tongs/tweezers (to enable to you safely handle stamps without damaging them)
• Magnifying glass (to enable you to read and see fine detail within the stamps)
• Album (this is used to safely store the stamps and protect from light, heat and damp and prevent them from ageing)

The organization of a stamp collection is up to the individual collector. They could be organized by country, topic, size, age etc.

There is such a wide variety of stamps available that some collectors may limit the stamps they collect to certain countries, periods of time or subjects to prevent their stamp collection becoming uncontrollably large.

Stamps can be purchased and traded from dealer shops or online. Some dealers also set up bourses (a mobile market designed to sell and trade stamps that moves from region to region each week).

Collectables are items that are designed and manufactured for the sole purpose of people collecting them. They are often rare or unique and therefore can be quite expensive.

Often an entire series of a particular item is created by manufactures to encourage consumers to collect all the items in the series (for example base ball cards). People may also collect items that are part of a group or category.

Items can also become collectable if they are autographed by someone significant (for example a book signed by the author or a basket ball signed by a famous basket ball player).

Collectable items can either be antique (more than 100 years old) or collectible (new). Most collectors collect man made items, however, items from nature can also be collected.

Most people who collect collectables only do so during their childhood, however, some carry on throughout their entire life time.

Where can you purchase collectables from?

Books and collectables is an online website that sells a wide variety of collectable items. They offer a wide range of collectable books, maps and prints from online bookstores and lots, lots more.