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 calendars offer infinite collecting possibilities The year 2000's rapid approach has made many more conscious of time's passage, and the most vivid symbol of that passage is the calendar. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar dictated that a year consist of 365 days with a leap year every fourth year. Religious leaders used their influence to include celebrations such as Easter and other church holidays into the calendar system. This system, called the Gregorian calendar, was adopted by Roman Catholic countries and later throughout the world. The next logical step, of course, was to produce a document that tracked these 365 days. It has happened so many times in history: A utilitarian object -- in this case, a document to track the days of the year -- was turned into a piece of art that decorated home or business. For countless businesses, too, it turned into a promotional item. The artwork and promotional aspects, in turn, make calendars collectible. "Because of the calendar's rich and varied history, collectors are enamored with calendars," said Cindy Ladage, a contributor to Warman's Today's Collector magazine. "Many calendar collections begin with sentimental reasons. "Calendars depicting Victorian children, advertising logos, and movie stars remind calendar connoisseurs of their childhood and special memories." A calendar connoisseur can take several collecting roads. One is to simply collect calendars with artwork that appeals to an individual collector -- regardless of theme or time. Others choose from a multitude of themes. One can collect calendars depicting movie stars or dogs or cats or rural life. Calendars enjoy crossover demand from other collecting areas. Old-car enthusiasts, for example, may collect calendars depicting old cars or calendars produced as promotional items by car manufacturers or local dealers. Breweriana collectors may collect calendars advertising beer. Collectors may have a personal attachment to a particular subject. A farmer who has used John Deere farm equipment all his life may collect calendars advertising John Deere. Another may collect calendars advertising businesses in his hometown. Some collectors form an attachment to a particular era or year and collect all calendars related to that time regardless of subject matter. In the case of a particular year, it may be the collector's birth year or their mother's or father's birth year or some other year that has personal significance to them. The year 2000 brings a wealth of calendar collecting opportunities with it. A collection of calendars from this milestone year would be an interesting, though probably not valuable, keepsake for many years to come. Calendar collecting is also affordable for most people. The books Warman's Flea Market Price Guide, edited by Ellen Schroy and Don Johnson, and Flea Market Treasures by Harry Rinkerlist calendars valued from $7 to $300 with most under $50. A 1944 Farmers Oil Co. calendar with a full date pad is valued at $7. A 1952 Mobil Oil calendar with the red Pegasus logo is valued at $8. Topping out at $300 is a 1922 Warren National Bank calendar with a Norman Rockwell illustration. Also valued at $300 is a 1930 calendar from the Winchester Arms Co. In between is an 1898 calendar from the John Hancock insurance company valued at $25, a 1954 Shell marine lubricants calendar valued at $25, and a 1961 TWA calendar with six sheets valued at $15. Collectible calendars can be found at antique shops, flea markets, garage sales, collectibles shows, and ads in magazines on collectibles. Networking with other collectors with similar interests is also valuable. Groups include the Calendar Collectors Society (18222 Flower Hill Way, No. 229, Gaithersberg, MD 20879), Calendar Plate Collectors Club (710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Tower Lakes, IL 60010), and the Calendar Art Collectors' Newsletter (45 Brown's Lane, Old Lyme, CT 06371). Before spending big dollars on any collectible, gain experience and knowledge in the subject matter through books, magazines, and other literature. Concerning calendars specifically, collector Elizabeth Pensoneau of Springfield, Ill., offers these tips: "Watch out for reproductions. Be very careful and aware of antique values. Buy where you can get from a reputable dealer." She also advises to watch for reproductions. "Look at the staples," she said. "If shiny and bright, it may be a reproduction. Turn the calendar over and see if there is more than one set of staple holes." As always, condition is important when determining value. "You often have to accept damage to a degree because of the age," Pensoneau said. "Very few calendars have survived without wear." Copyright 1999 by Krause Publications. For a free catalog of Krause Publications books or periodicals on collectibles, write Public Relations, Dept. IC, Krause Publications, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001, or visit www.krause.com on the worldwide web, or e-mail info@krause.com. Our online fleamarket is the best place to find vintage and antique items on the Internet. - FleaMarket - Antique Mall - vintage fabric - Our Flea Market is continually restocked with amazing items of every kind. - fabric - We scour every nook and cranny in order to bring you a huge inventory of antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing and vintage fabrics in our cybermall. Looking for a needle in a haystack? - antique mall - vintage fabric - Come here first-we may have what you're looking for. If it's not in stock, sign up for our free Personal Shopper service-we'll notify you as soon as we locate your item. If it's special, if it's unique, if it's collectible, you'll find it in our ever-changing collection of vintage clothing, china dinnerware, decorative porcelain-there's too much to list and it's only at Fleatique! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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