The hottest Collectibles Substack posts right now

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Various things from a last week of travel

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 1201 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🏝 Travel Cultural experiences Food & Drink Collectibles Personal narratives International travel
  1. Japan has public baths that provide a relaxing and restorative experience, perfect for easing travel stress. Many hotels offer them, and using them can really improve your mood.
  2. Collectibles like Pokémon items hold value based on the stories and emotional connections people have with them, which makes them comparable to financial markets. This highlights how both collectors and investors are motivated by myths and desires.
  3. Travel can be tiring and sometimes disappointing, but meeting new people and having unique experiences, like ferry rides, make the journey memorable despite the ups and downs.

Most 'Romulus' Limited VHS Preorders Went to eBay Scalpers

Textual Variations • 265 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media Film Collectibles
  1. Many pre-orders for the limited VHS edition of 'Alien Romulus' went to scalpers instead of fans. This made it hard for real fans to buy the edition at a reasonable price.
  2. The quick sell-out of the VHS copies raised concerns about how many copies were available and whether collectors had the chance to buy them. It looks like scalpers bought a lot of them to sell at much higher prices later.
  3. The situation highlighted how companies like Disney and Walmart could do better in communicating with their audience and preventing scalping. Better planning could help ensure that real fans get a fair chance to buy limited editions.

The Explicit Baseball Card Edition

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Collectibles History Entertainment
  1. Billy Ripken's baseball card from 1989 is famous for its hilarious and playful mistake. It features something unexpected that caught fans' attention.
  2. Baseball cards were a big deal for many kids, with the thrill of finding rare ones like the Michael Jordan card.
  3. Different brands of baseball cards had their own unique styles, with Fleer being seen as less premium compared to brands like Upper Deck.

Origins Season 11 Epic Era is LIVE!

The Lunacian • 276 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Digital Assets Blockchain Collectibles
  1. The Epic Era of Origins Season 11 has started, and players can compete for a share of a 24,000 AXS prize pool. It's a great time to jump in and try to earn some rewards!
  2. Collectible Axie holders can gain extra rewards by finishing the Epic Era at a high rank while holding their collectibles. These rewards come in the form of Collectible Chests filled with tickets that can earn AXS.
  3. The costs to mint Runes and Charms have been lowered, making it cheaper for players to upgrade their Axies. This makes the game more accessible and fun for everyone.

How To Collect The Lost Churches Of London

Londonist: Time Machine • 359 implied HN points • 15 May 24
💾 History London Collectibles Maps Urban Development
  1. The Lost London Churches project offers 110 collectable cards depicting City of London churches, encouraging exploration of historic buildings and supporting maintenance through donations.
  2. Collectors can visit surviving churches to pick up packs of five random church cards for free, promoting a sense of discovery and community engagement.
  3. In addition to the cards, a Collector's Booklet provides detailed information about the churches and includes a beautifully reworked version of the 1677 Ogilby and Morgan map, offering a rich experience for London history enthusiasts.
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Vol. 2, Issue 33 - Interview with Carol Monahan (Wizards of the Coast)

Johto Times • 39 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Interviews Entertainment Pop culture Collectibles
  1. Carol Monahan was a key figure at Wizards of the Coast when they got the Pokémon Trading Card Game license. She helped ensure products were shipped to stores, which was crucial during the game's early success.
  2. Wizards of the Coast faced many challenges as they quickly expanded, especially when the Pokémon TCG became popular. They had to manage large shipments and secure enough resources to meet the demand.
  3. The sale of Wizards to Hasbro changed things, but at first, Pokémon continued to thrive. However, over time, Hasbro struggled to maintain their relationship with the Pokémon brand.

One year of my work, printed

The Novelleist • 510 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
📚 Literature Essays Publishing Writing Books Collectibles
  1. A yearly collection of writing is printed to show the progress and creativity of the author. It's exciting to see your work in a real book format.
  2. The 2024 volume has a unique design inspired by the idea of creating connected communities. It reflects deep themes about society and its future.
  3. The author offers subscriptions for collectors to receive this printed work, along with other benefits at a lower cost this year.

A hunger striker's medal, a Danish love token, and Hello Kitty

Dearest • 766 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History Jewelry Auctions Collectibles Design
  1. A hunger striker's medal awarded to a suffragette for her efforts in the campaign for women's right to vote
  2. A Danish love token called a hovedvandsæg given by men to their beloveds in the 18th and 19th centuries
  3. Hello Kitty jewelry collection created by Mikimoto and Sanrio, featuring pieces like a pearl necklace with a Hello Kitty face design

Reviews of My Life #5

Nice Try • 359 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Lifestyle Personal Growth Collectibles
  1. Using simple tools can help you create and track your goals, like coloring in a moon calendar instead of buying fancy gadgets.
  2. Collecting unique items, like books and art, can hold sentimental value and tell stories about your past experiences.
  3. Transforming your space for productivity, like turning a coat closet into a workshop, shows how you can make the most of what you have.

Vol. 2, Issue 12 - My Pokémon Collection (Part 5)

Johto Times • 119 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Music Gaming Collectibles Entertainment
  1. The author has a passion for Pokémon music and enjoys collecting soundtrack albums from the games. Each album reminds them of fond memories associated with the games.
  2. New Pokémon Trading Card Game sets and distribution events for in-game items are coming soon, keeping the community engaged with fresh content.
  3. Physical soundtracks for recent Pokémon games have been announced, and the author is excited to add those to their collection.

Vol. 2, Issue 19 - Interview with Tsukasa Hosono

Johto Times • 59 implied HN points • 09 May 24
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Gaming Interviews Collectibles Media
  1. Tsukasa Hosono won a special Pokémon Snap photo contest in 1999, receiving unique Pokémon cards featuring his Charmander picture. These cards are very rare and hold significant value today.
  2. Pokémon GO is hosting a new event called 'Catching Wonders', offering bonuses for catches and spins. There’s also a long-term challenge with a Master Ball as a reward for dedicated players.
  3. The Pokémon trading card game has seen a rise in the value of cards, prompting collectors to take extra steps for safekeeping, like using fireproof safes.

Vol. 2, Issue 5 - The Time I Almost Lost My Charizard

Johto Times • 59 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Collectibles Nostalgia Gaming Literature
  1. Owning a Charizard card was a big deal, and the author really valued it as a kid. It was popular among friends, making it even more special.
  2. A childhood friend stole the Charizard card, showing how trust can be broken by those we least expect.
  3. Even after getting the card back, it was bent, leaving a lasting reminder of that betrayal and changing how the author views trust and possessions.

Vol. 1, Issue 14 - My Pokémon Collection - Part 3

Johto Times • 159 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Media Collectibles Nostalgia Gaming Entertainment
  1. The author shares their personal Pokémon collection, focusing on classic VHS movies that are nostalgic for them. They have great memories connected to these movies and have kept them despite not having a VHS player.
  2. Pokémon GO's monthly revenue has dropped significantly, and the game's company, Niantic, faced backlash after increasing prices and limiting features. They claim that changes have improved gameplay, but many players feel ignored.
  3. The newsletter includes a mailbag segment where a reader asked about a pink Pikachu. While there's evidence of a temporary pink Pikachu in an anime episode, it’s not a permanent feature in the games.

Vol. 1, Issue 41 - Interview with Craig Turvey (Create-a-Snorlax Card Contest)

Johto Times • 79 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art Entertainment Video Games Comics Collectibles
  1. Craig Turvey won the Create-a-Snorlax Card Contest in 2002 and created artwork that became an official Pokémon promo card. He was one of only two Western artists featured for that contest.
  2. Winning the contest gave Craig a unique connection to the Pokémon community. He still runs a Pokémon League and enjoys signing cards for fans.
  3. The popularity and value of Pokémon cards, especially Craig's Snorlax promo card, have greatly increased over the years, making it a noteworthy collector's item.

Vol. 1, Issue 2 - My Pokémon Collection - Part 1

Johto Times • 199 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Collectibles Entertainment Hobbies Nostalgia
  1. The author is excited to share personal items from their Pokémon collection, emphasizing their personal value rather than size.
  2. They have gained 50 subscribers since starting the Johto Times, feeling grateful and motivated by the support.
  3. Upcoming content will include interviews, fan memories, and a deep dive into their journey with the Pokémon franchise.

Vol. 1, Issue 5 - Interview with Pokémon Center New York Historical Website

Johto Times • 159 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Pop culture History Collectibles Interviews Media
  1. The Pokémon Center New York has a dedicated historical website that preserves memories and information about the now-closed store. This helps people remember or learn about its magical past.
  2. Julie and Grace are the passionate individuals behind the preservation efforts, and they share their excitement about the project through engaging interviews.
  3. Johto Times has reached over 100 subscribers in less than a month, showing that there’s a strong interest in Pokémon stories and content.

Vol. 1, Issue 40 - Interview with PokéAaah!

Johto Times • 59 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Gaming Fan Communities Interviews Pop culture Collectibles
  1. Poké Aaah! is a community focused on fake Pokémon cards, where fans can create and share their own designs. It started in 1999 and has become a hub for card creation resources.
  2. The second DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is launching on December 14th, 2023, bringing new content and returning Pokémon. Fans are excited to see what's new!
  3. There was a confirmation of an authentic Prerelease Raichu card, ending years of speculation. Some rare cards from the past are gaining attention and value in today's market.

Vol. 1, Issue 24 - My Pokémon Collection - Part 4

Johto Times • 79 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Collectibles Fandom Entertainment Nostalgia Media
  1. Pokémon Sleep is now available in many countries and links up with Pokémon GO Plus + to track your sleep. It's exciting for fans who want to catch Pokémon and improve their sleep habits!
  2. The upcoming Pokémon GO Community Day will feature Poliwag, with special bonuses and the chance to catch shiny ones. Fans should mark their calendars for some fun gameplay!
  3. The author shares personal memories about their Pokémon collection, including unique items like Tazos and Pokémon trading cards, which are nostalgic treasures that many Pokémon fans might also enjoy.

Vol. 1, Issue 6 - The State of the Pokémon TCG

Johto Times • 119 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Gaming Collectibles Nostalgia Pop culture Media
  1. The Pokémon Trading Card Game has changed a lot in recent years, especially with more people buying and selling cards online. This shift has made some collectors feel sad as they see others selling their childhood memories for quick money.
  2. Completing sets like Base, Jungle, and Fossil can still be done at reasonable prices, but that might not last forever. The writer felt lucky to finish their collections before prices went up dramatically.
  3. A reminder was given about the upcoming closure of the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops. People should buy or download Pokémon games they want before it's too late.

Grandad's Cash

backstory • 193 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
💾 History War Military Collectibles
  1. Grandfather's banknote from Germany was a significant memento from the war.
  2. Grandfather's wartime notebook revealed his experiences at the Battle of Cambrai.
  3. The banknote symbolized a topic he could discuss, unlike his war experiences.

Data Update 3 for 2021: Currencies, Commodities, Collectibles and Cryptos

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 21
💰 Finance Investments Commodities Collectibles
  1. Investments can be classified into four main types: assets, commodities, currencies, and collectibles. Each type has its own characteristics that affect how they are priced and valued.
  2. Investing is about buying assets based on their value, while trading focuses on buying low and selling high without worrying about value. They are different approaches but both can lead to profit.
  3. During economic crises, different markets behave unpredictably, often moving together. This can make diversification harder, meaning spreading investments across various assets may not always reduce risk.

Who among us has NOT dreamed of shooting the computer screen?

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 22 Apr 15
🎭️ Culture Technology Social media Collectibles Online Trends Internet culture
  1. The world is becoming more complex, similar to a Rube Goldberg machine, due to the influence of smartphones and computers.
  2. A new group of tech-savvy travelers are embracing hoboism through social media platforms like Instagram and Craigslist.
  3. Just like vinyl records, VHS tapes are becoming a collectible item for some people, with games on cartridges and films on VHS gaining popularity.

FIFA: Beanie Babies in football form

The Rectangle • 0 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Economics Consumer behavior Nostalgia Collectibles
  1. Digital items, like football players in a game, can create strong emotional attachments for players. Losing these items can feel really upsetting, even if they are just part of a game.
  2. People often assign value to things that are not inherently valuable, similar to beanie babies. This happens because of perceived rarity and people's willingness to pay for them.
  3. The feelings tied to these digital goods reflect a hope for improvement in life, like achieving success in a game. This optimism is what makes people value both digital items and collectibles.