Spring clean but don't toss out treasure

NEW YORK - March 15, 2013 - PRLog -- (for March 14 or thereafter)

         Spring Clean but Don't Toss Out Treasure

         If the arrival of Spring moves you to wash the windows and trudge up to the attic, or to seed the flowerbed and clear-out the garage, proceed with caution!   Your enthusiasm is to be applauded but  some junk you've accumulated has real value, according to William Hogben and Linda Abrams, authors of COLLECTING UNDER THE RADAR.

         Your dad fished but you don't? Keep his old lures, especially those in good condition.   Remember those big outdoor thermometers mounted on tin bearing ads?  That kind of branding-item is valuable even if the company is long-gone. Save the 1970s Timex watch that still works, too.   If you're lucky enough to own a first-generation cell phone or calling card, hold onto it.

         Even if Avon no longer calls where you live, a collector might. Memorabilia vendors are starting to stock fanciful Avon bottle shapes---ballerina, cat, car, boot and so on.   Pretty mid-20th-century compacts are also on want-lists.  And don't worry if you only have one or two of those pretty teacups and saucers.  A dictum of shabby-chic is to mix it up. Use what you like but try not to drop it on the floor because the worth of a matching teacup and saucer is going up.

       Kid stuff is also sought. You may know about Barbies and Beanie Babies, but do you realize that certain McDonald's giveaway toys are hot items?

       These and hundreds of others generally-unrecognized household oldies are becoming goldies,  Ms. Abrams and Mr. Hogben say.  COLLECTING UNDER THE RADAR (Red Rock Press) describes them all and pictures them, too.   Discover what you own that is increasing in value; what you can stash is tomorrow's cash.

For high-rez photos, please contact Richard@RedRockPress  this week.