Ephemera
Collectibles Dealer & Buyer
Ephemera are often referred to as collectibles or collectible memorabilia. Ephemera are usually written or printed items that were assumed to have a short shelf life, meaning their popularity at the time was thought to not last long. The thought was that the items considered ephemeral (that ended up being collectible memorabilia) weren’t really something to collect or hang on to. In fact, they were intended to be discarded. However, ephemera can have value due to demand and rarity and, as seasoned collectibles dealer and buyers, we can advise and guide you with market and historical knowledge that will help you make a more informed decision.
The Oxford Dictionary defines ephemera as “things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time; items of collectable memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity.” Now you’re getting the idea. So, what are examples of ephemera?
Examples of Ephemera (Collectibles)
- Autographs
- Photographs
- Art
- Cameras
- Fine Watches
- Art Glass
- Historical Documents
- Product Labels
- Trading Cards
- Napkin Rings
- Stamps
- Shipping Labels
- Postcards
- Theater Programs
- Movie Posters
- Political Posters
- Bumper Stickers
- Playing Cards
- Tarot Cards
- Paper Money
- Event Ticket Stubs
- Movie Tickets
- Lottery Tickets
- Office Objects
- Old Maps
- Miniature Items
- Magazine Ads
- Vintage Book Pages
- Vintage Flyers
- Vintage Newspaper Clippings
- Old Ledgers
- Film Materials
- Old Scrapbooks
- Sculptures
Collectibles As Investments
Collectible memorabilia are items that are sold for more money than they were originally worth. Some items may be rare. Think art. Other collectibles may have been mass produced. Think baseball trading cards. Items become collectibles because people like them. They’re tangible, appeal to the collector’s tastes, and tell a story. However, if you’re looking for collectibles as an investment, there are 5 categories of items that historically have provided solid returns-on-investment:
- Stamps
- Rare Coins
- Toys
- Fine Art
- Sneakers