Recently, I was told by a friend that iReport (of which I was previously unaware) is currently looking for stories of people who are parting with their collectables due to the economy. Anyone who has read my blog before, or knows me in person, will know that while I’m not a huge collector, I do have my vices, them being, in order of importance, “Titanic” (1997), “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) (and other works affiliated) and “I Dream of Jeannie.” In none of these areas are my collections vast.
With regards to “Oz,” I have a fair number of snow globe/ music boxes from the San Francisco Music Box Company, a number of books about the film, a signed (and personalized) photograph of Jerry Maren (the munchkin who gave Judy Garland the lollipop), a copy of the screenplay, and a small collection of books about Judy Garland one of which, Judy Garland: World’s Greatest Entertainer, I was lucky enough to have signed by Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft when I had the chance to meet her around five years ago.
“Titanic” I was fanatical about as soon as it was released, having a preexisting interest in the disaster. Over the years, I have been able to procure a signed photo from nearly the entire cast (including Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, James Cameron, Kathy Bates, among others), the J. Peterman copy of Rose’s “Heart of the Ocean” necklace, a copy of her butterfly comb, a first class dining place (also by Peterman), a rare film cell, a music box, a small collection of books, the Franklin Mint “Rose” doll, and a copy of the screenplay. This entire collection, except the Rose doll and screenplay, I have recently placed on eBay as “Titanic Heart of the Ocean, Cast Signed Photo, + MORE!”,
here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110357233275
I also have a small, but growing, collection of memorabilia from “I Dream of Jeannie” a show I have adored ever since I can remember. In my small collection I have: two copies of Jeannie’s bottle, one from the 1st season (the golden vines design) with a replica Old Grand Dad crystal stopper, and a second season (purple) bottle, which I was recently lucky enough to have signed by Barbara Eden (Jeannie), the “Jeannie” Barbie from 2000, and a special edition set of the mini Jeannie and her bottle sculptures, in black and white. As I said, this collection is easily my smallest, but, especially after meeting Barbara, it is the dearest to me, especially my signed bottle.
But, given the state of the economy, and my possible admittance to graduate school in the U.K., I have decided to part with the lion’s share of my collection, and if my eBay auction for much of my Titanic collection is successful, I have determined to auction off the whole of my “Wizard of Oz” collection as a set on eBay as well. My Jeannie collection is far too dear to me to ever consider parting with, so it will be staying with me for a good long time to come!
A Random Existence 