Keepsaker’s Korner
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A
publication of the Okie Keepsakers Collectors Club of Tulsa, OK Sponsored
by Becky’s Hallmark 41st
& Garnett 628-1766 www.geocities.com/okiekeepsakers |
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November
2001 |
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Club Officers |
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President: Rita Randall 341-1696 |
Treasurer: Sally Turner 838-8179 |
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Vice Pres: Dana Blando 628-0063 |
Secretary: Teresa Pattison 250-2693 |
Next Meeting is Thursday November 8 at 7pm
OKCC meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. We meet at Becky’s Hallmark, 11109 E 41st (northwest corner of 41st & Garnett, next to Furr’s). Next month’s meeting will be December 13th.
At the November Meeting
Teresa Pattison is going to show a “subcollection” of her two favorite collections: Hallmark and Disney. We are all familiar with the Disney ornaments currently being sold by Hallmark. In the late 70’s and early 80’s there were also ornaments and a whole lot of other stuff! And then there are the greeting cards from the 30’s on!!! (It’s amazing the things you find on ebay!)
Club Poster
As Dessie mentioned at the last meeting, she “borrowed” a poster idea from a club table at the Kansas City Jubilee to promote our club at functions like this and also for in-store events like premiere and open house. She is looking for club pictures. We’ve been around 10 years now so I’m sure we all have some pictures lying around that she can use!!! Be sure and bring them to the next club meeting. She is also looking for help in putting it together.
Club
Website
Our club now has an official website! It’s www.geocities.com/okiekeepsakers. Those of whom I have an email address for know about this and got their newsletters last month via the website. For the rest of you that might have occasional web access, check it out! A few of the newsletters are there, a lot of pictures from the last few years, and links to some other Hallmark related websites. Is there something else you want to see there? Do you have some pictures to share? There is a link on the main page to email me directly so drop me a line with your comments.
Hallmark Open House – November
10
Don’t forget about the Hallmark open house on Saturday November 10th. Becky’s will open at 7:30am for the VIP’s to get their goody bags. All club members are invited to the VIP portion and we get breakfast too! Be sure and read the sponsor news in the minutes for information on all the promotions Hallmark is having this holiday season!
Don’t forget to pick up Santa Claus with Miniature Panda Bear ornament to complete the The Night Before the Night Before Christmas set.
And of course, don’t forget to get the last sticker on your passport to get the mini rocking horse ornament freebie!
And then to really confuse things, this is also when you can get the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas continuity promotion (usually called the REACH premium). They will all be available at once for $4.95 each, with no additional purchase required. The set consists of Santa (which is the one you get free with the magazine coupon), Tiny Reindeer, Hung with Care (stocking with toys in it), and Not Even a Mouse (grandfather’s clock with a mouse).
Participating stores will also have a drawing for a large version of Comet the Reindeer.
Teresa’s Christmas Open House
I am putting this in writing now so it will motivate me to get started on my Christmas decorating in time. Mark your calendars now for Sunday, December 16th. That will be my Christmas open house this year. Hopefully we will be able to coordinate a tour of several club member’s homes along with this. More details to follow!
Domestic Violence Intervention Service
We aren’t bringing anything this month. But Debra Kirk will have the information about the 3 families we will be adopting for Christmas.
Happy November Birthday to ….
Bonnie Mangan Nov 4
Rick
Huff Nov 4
Sandra
Paskvan Nov 7
Frances
Witt Nov 11
Mary
Stonecipher Nov 17
Karen
Pride Nov 27
Club Roster
Hallmark is requesting our club roster a little earlier this year. Instead of at the end of January, I need to submit by December 1st. So please be sure that I have all your current pertinent information, including the national club membership numbers for you and for your family members ASAP!!!!
Okie Keepsakers Meeting Minutes October 11, 2001
President Rita Randall called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. There were no changes to the minutes. She passed around a bag to make donations to the club for the chairs we purchased. (A total of $63.80 was raised!)
Vice President Dana Blando: Remember to sign in on the attendance form. She also showed an ornament she bought at Walgreen’s commemorating their 100th anniversary. The ornament was made by Hallmark.
Treasurer Sally Turner read the Treasurer’s report:
$800.36+ Beginning balance
90.00+ Dues paid
146.00+ Pin sales
26.20- Anniversary cake
9.86- October Postage
1000.30+ Ending balance
Secretary Teresa Pattison announced that copies of the Collectively Speaking were on the table. Also announced that Hallmark now wants the club roster by December 1 instead of in January as in years past. Please let her know your national club membership numbers. This was also the first month that copies of the newsletter were not mailed to club members who had email addresses. The club saved postage for 20+ newsletters. (FYI – I forgot to mention that I will also be scanning in the Collectively Speaking and putting those on the website as well. Since I got it the day before meeting this month I didn’t see the need to do it.)
DVIS – Debra Kirk announced that there would be no November donations. She will have the information for 3 families for our Christmas support. Jeanne Draughon also said that because of the terrorists, local charities are hurting so please remember they need your support.
Sunshine Committee – Terri Legrand had nothing to report.
Hospitality – Next month’s volunteers are Debra Kirk, Jeanne Draughon, and Vickie Peterson.
Rita Randall said that because people were buying stuff during the last meeting, they were distracting to the meeting going on and the store employees could not pay attention to the meeting. So Becky and Rita have decided that the registers will be shut down during the meetings from now on. They are open before the meeting and will stay open as late as you want after the meetings.
Sponsor news: Becky said she had received an email from Hallmark saying that the October 25th QVC show was cancelled. (The announcement of the show was in the October Collectively Speaking I had at the meeting.)
Earline also said that both Becky’s Hallmark and Becky’s at the Farm were having open houses Saturday 10/13. Darrell Ingmire was going to give Dept 56 display demos and there was going to be a Vera Bradley trunk show and Boyd’s Bears event.
Next year will be the last year for Merry Miniatures, Kiddie Cars, and Dr Suess. She had an order form for Merry Miniatures so they would be sure to order enough for everyone.
Earline said the magazines that the coupon for the free ornament would be were Child, Martha Stewart, Better Homes and Gardens, People, and Parade. Terri said that it was also in Good Housekeeping (pg 169). She just bought the magazine at Reasor’s in the shopping center and got her ornament! (FYI – After the meeting, Sally and Lynn Turner coordinated the magazine orders and went down to Reasor’s and bought magazines for everyone so we all could get our free ornament that night! Thanks Sally and Lynn! )
Earline also announced all the promos for this
Christmas season and here they are:
· Open house will be November 10th-11th. The Preferred Customer VIP part will be on Saturday morning from 7:30am to 9am instead on Friday evening as it has been the last couple of years. All club members will get a gift bag if they come!
· Becky’s will start being open on Sundays beginning November 4th from 1pm to 5pm.
· There will the traditional music premium this year. It is Amy Grant (good! I really like the one she did a few years ago.) Coupons will be in the catalog and it starts on November 1st.
· Comet the reindeer plush - free with $30 purchase or $4.95 with card purchase. Starts November 1st. (I think offer is going to come on a postcard.)
· Olympic Date Book - Starts November 10th. Has a coupon for a free card in it.
· Sport Coke Bear ornament free with purchase of 3 ornaments or $4.95 with card purchase. Starts November 12th.
· Olympic Medallists Snow Globe (4 different ones) - $12.95 with 3 a card purchase. Starts December 10th.
· Free Santa ornament with coupon from magazines (see discussion above for the magazines). Starts October 8th.
· Coke musical snow globe - $12.95 with 3 card purchase. Starts November 11th.
· Kiss Kiss Mistletoe Bears - $3.99 buy one get one free with a 3 card purchase. Starts November 21st.
Old Business – Donna Lundy did some research on getting the new club t-shirts. With a 50 shirt purchase and with art work set up, they will be about $12.10 each. Long sleeve sweatshirt will be about $16.50. The club decided one ordering green and gray t-shirts. Donna passed around a sign up sheet. Tote bags were discussed by there was not enough interest in them to meet the minimum order. The club also discussed adding “Sponsored by Becky’s Hallmark” on the back but members did not want to go to that added expense. The club approved selling the t-shirts for $15 each.
New Business – Dessie Howard has donated a With Help from Pup ornament to the club to be used as fund raiser. There was discussion to either have a raffle or auction with just club members or to put it on ebay. Teresa said these have been selling very well on ebay getting around $40 – $50 with prices rising because of the people attending the canceled Jubilees haven’t gotten theirs yet so there aren’t a lot of these listed. The decision was to put it on ebay. Teresa will list it starting Friday 10/12 after her current auction from this ornament ends. (FYI – this auction ended 10/19 for $71.01. Net to club after ebay fees is $68.31)
Dessie also brought show and tell from her recent trip to Japan. She had 2 photo albums and a Fuji stick which is a walking stick she used to climb Mount Fuji!
Dessie also had an idea for the club she “borrowed” from another club in Kansas City. On their table they had a poster display with pictures from their club. She has bought the poster display and needs helps putting it together and also needs pictures! (It would be great if this could be done in time for the November open house.)
Door Prizes were won by:
$25 gift certificate – Elaine Wibben
Kiss the Cook ornament (3rd quarter mailing from Hallmark) – BK Dreyer
Halloween decoration from Becky’s Hallmark – Teresa Pattison
Mary Engelbreit magazine donated by Dessie Howard – Robert Wilson
Club Member Pumpkin Carving Celebrity!
Did you see the Tulsa World article on October 20th with ideas on carving your pumpkins? Did you read the whole article see where club member Sandra Paskvan carved one of them? Due to space limitations, I am only repeating Sandra’s part of the article and a picture of her creation below:
For her project, Sandra Paskvan
of Becky's at the Farm created a cheerful pumpkin gal, which she calls a
Jill-o-lantern. 
Paskvan's
Halloween "Jill" was carved with a sunny, smiling face, and is
surrounded by decorative accessories such as a witch's hat and a ring of orange
Halloween mini- lights.
"Halloween is my favorite time of year, and my jack-o-lanterns traditionally always have smiles on their faces no matter how I accessorize them," she said.
Paskvan didn't have to look far for inspiration. Becky's, the south Tulsa gift shop where Paskvan works, provided several jack-o-lantern accompaniments -- including a cuddly Beanie Baby black kitten ($6), a friendly- looking Beanie Buddy ghost ($12) and an autumn-berry wreath ($12) -- which she placed around the pumpkin.
"That's the neat thing about making jack-o-lanterns -- they take on their own personality as you're working on them," she said.
Hallmark News
While I was perusing the Dream Book looking at the new October Hallmark releases and seeing if there was anything I had to have, I wondered who the heck is Cedric Bear in the Victorian Barbie with Cedric Bear ornament. After all, his name is trademarked just like Barbie’s. So I jumped on the internet to see what I could dig up. What I found first off is that there is a Barbie doll just like that ornament, which I did not know so I thought I would pass that along to all of you who collect the dolls and the matching ornaments! Second off, I could not find out anything else about a Cedric Bear. I thought it might have been from some children’s story but my search didn’t turn up anything. Maybe it’s something that Mattel invented and trademarked. If you know anything please let me know.
Attention national club members: In the November Courier there will be something to order to go with next years Club Ornaments. Wonder what it is?
Everyone mark your calendars! The 2002 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Premiere will be held the weekend of July 13-14.
Effective 12/31 the following Hallmark Collectible lines will be officially retired:
· Kiddie Car Classics, Merry Miniatures, Legends in Flight, School Days Lunch Boxes, Dr. Seuss
· In stores the end of November will be the final additions in the Kiddie Car & Merry Mini line:
· Miniature Kiddie Cars: 1955 Murray Red Champion, 1955 Murray Fire Truck, 1935 Steelcraft Airplane, 1935 Steelcraft Airflow, 1962 Murray Super Deluxe Fire Truck
· Regular Size Kiddie Cars: 1935 Garton Pontiac, 1933 Steelcraft Roadster, 1940 Steelcraft Dodge by Murray
· The final series of Merry Miniatures will be the Itty Bitty Bear Collection. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the teddy bear! Sculpted by Sue Tague, each piece features jointed arms and legs.
Looking ahead to next Fall/Christmas (2002) these are
the Hallmark Gift Collection themes:
· American Girl Doll from Hallmark Gold Crown
· Woolly Mittens - products for the hearth of family room emphasizing Christmas icons and patterns
· Boughs & Berries - featuring detailed Santa artwork and dressed Santa figurines
· Snowfalls - depicts a town of bright and festive snowmen using resin figurines, home decor plush and ceramics.
· Winterwalk - offers the softness of winter and the promise brought by angels.
· Crystal Morning - combines the elegance of silver and white
· Bunnies By The Bay & Friends celebrates Halloween and Christmas on Cricket Island with an all plush offering. (Look for Bunnies by the Bay in stores this Spring!)
· Nature's Sketchbook introduces the "Magic of Memories" for the holidays with new products.
· American Landscape returns (this line will debut this May) with a new fall collection based on the artistry of Val Pillow.
New Hallmark Christmas catalog is also winging it’s way to your mailbox if it hasn’t already arrived.
The new Mitford book "The Mitford Snowmen" is out. It’s a short read and SRP is $10.95 but can be found for less. Also, check out Hallmark.com website for the new Mitford items. (By the way, it looks like Hallmark has redesigned their website – a change for the better!) Go to “Flowers & Gifts” category then “Home Décor for the Holidays“. Click on “Holidays for the Home” and “Holidays Traditions” and then click on the categories below that. They are scattered around and not in just one category.
And speaking of Hallmark.com, there is a contest to win the Frostlight Faeries Collection. If you spend $50 at Hallmark.com, you’re automatically entered. But there is also a form you can mail in. There is a link from the front page “register to win Keepsake ornaments” or you can also find it in the keepsake ornament section. Entries must be postmarked by November 8th so don’t put this off! Also the transcript from Joanne Eschrich and Sue Tague on-line chat is also at Hallmark.com.
The Dream Book for 2002 is going to be online sometime in January. No specific date set due to the problems they had after they missed last year’s date.
Next postcard promotion is for the Comet Reindeer plush. Should be arriving in your homes between 11/8 and 11/15.
HOT NEWS – Hallmark is coming out with a new patriotic ball ornament! It is a light blue ball ornament with a snowman holding a flag on the front and a cute phrase something like 'There's snowplace like the USA' on the back and it will sell for $6.95. I don't know how many each account can order, when they'll be available at retail or that type of information yet. I can tell you that there will be coordinating product like gift bags, cards and boxed cards that will coordinate with the design. (Becky’s has a list going so if you want one be sure and give them a call.)
Christmas and Thanksgiving stamps are available at the post office now. For Christmas, one of the choices is a set of 4 old fashioned Santa’s. Rumor has it that there will be a Hallmark ball ornament featuring 2 of these 4 Santa’s available at the post office.
Kansas City Mayor’s Ornament
This is the ornament that is made by Hallmark from the remains of last year’s Mayor’s Christmas tree. This year's ornament will be a round a reindeer etched into the wood. As always, I expect to be in KC for Thanksgiving and will take a wish list for it. I never know which family members I can drag down to Crown Center to stand in line with me so I don’t know how many I will be able to get. If you want one, please let me know before Thanksgiving!
Ty News
Retirements:
10/8 Regal the dog http://www.ty.com/announcements/ret_1008_regal.html
10/11 Celebrate Beanie & Buddy http://www.ty.com/announcements/ret_1011_celebrate.html
10/16 Almond the Beanie Buddy http://www.ty.com/announcements/ret_1016_almond.html
10/17 Vlad, Carmichael, Devlin, Buck and Hagatha Attic Treasurers
http://www.ty.com/announcements/ret_1017_attics.html
10/18 Mr & Mrs Beanie Babies http://www.ty.com/announcements/ret_1019_mrandmrs.html
10/22 Unity Beanie Baby http://www.ty.com/announcements/ret_1022_unity.html
10/24 Buckingham Beanie Buddy http://www.ty.com/announcements/ret_1024_buckingham.html
The Ty Company has once again shown the size of their heart and their thrust to support the victims of the bombing that took place on September 11th. In support of The New York Police and Fire Widow's and Children's Fund - Rescue the dog (click HERE) and Courage the dog (click HERE) are now being offered. Courage and Rescue are available online through Ty Store and will also be available at retail. Ty will donate 100% of their profit from the sales of these items to this charity.
Jinglepup, one of the new Christmas Beanie Babies, has appeared in the UK with a green tail instead of white one. And in Canada he’s showing up with his hat trimmed in white instead of green as the picture on ty.com shows. Here’s a summary:
USA version - green trim hat, white tail
UK version - white trim hat, green tail
Canadian Version - white trim hat, white tailSingapore Version- with white trim on hat, green tail
Here’s another new Japanese exclusive. This time it’s an Attic Treasure named
Kyoto. http://www.ty.com/announcements/intro_1018_kyoto.html
Hallmark chief to retire; founder's grandson to take over
By JENNIFER MANN - The
Kansas City Star
Date: 10/04/01 13:44
Irvine O. Hockaday Jr., 65, president and chief executive officer of Hallmark Cards Inc. since 1985, will retire Dec. 31.
Taking up the reins at the Kansas City-based greeting card behemoth Jan. 1 will be Donald J. Hall Jr., the grandson of company founder Joyce C. Hall.
Hall, 45, is Hallmark's executive vice president for strategy and development.
Hockaday joined Hallmark's board of directors in 1978 when he was president and chief executive officer of Kansas City Southern Industries Inc. He then joined Hallmark in 1983 as executive vice president and became president and chief executive officer of Hallmark two years later.
Company Chairman Donald J. Hall, the father of Don Hall, Jr., said today that Hockaday has been a tremendous asset to the company for more than 20 years.
"During (Irv's) tenure, revenues for the corporation nearly tripled and the Hallmark brand has prospered," Hall said. "We are extremely grateful for his leadership during a dynamic period in our company's history."
During Hockaday's time with Hallmark, revenues grew to $4.3 billion in 2000 from $1.47 billion in 1983.
Some of the milestones achieved under Hockaday's leadership were the acquisition of Binney & Smith, the makers of Crayola crayons; the introduction of Hallmark products into mass retailing through its Expressions from Hallmark brand; and the creation of Hallmark's first publicly traded company, Crown Media, a worldwide cable channel distributor featuring inspirational and family friendly programming.
Hockaday will remain a trustee of the Hall Family Foundation but will retire from Hallmark's board of directors. He will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors for, among others, Ford Motor Co., Dow Jones Inc., Estee Lauder Companies, Sprint Corp., and UtiliCorp United.
Hockaday said he's been planning for retirement for about a year-and-a-half. Now, he said, the time is right because of "the combination of readiness of those who will lead the company in the future and...those departing."
As for Donald J. Hall Jr.'s being ready for the job, Hockaday said the answer was absolutely yes.
"It's not a comfort level, it's a certain conviction," he said.
Hall joined Hallmark in 1971 and has worked in product development, operations and sales assignments and was director of specialty store development.
In 1993 he was promoted to general manager of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments and in 1995 was named vice president-creative and elected to the board in 1996.
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For the internet readers, here’s some related stories:
Hallmark's new chairman and CEO has been in training for years
Outgoing Hallmark CEO reflects on successes, setbacks
Hallmark teams with Walmart.com to offer customized photo greeting cards
By JENNIFER MANN - The Kansas City Star
Date: 10/16/01 22:15
Hallmark Cards Inc. and Walmart.com are teaming up to give consumers a way to create customized greeting cards and other items by using their own photos to create Hallmark Stories Photo Cards.
Consumers can go to Walmart.com's online photo center, click on the Hallmark Stories logo and select from any number of products to incorporate their digital images into greeting cards, invitations, announcements and other items.
The products can be created from digital photos or traditional film.
The partnership builds on Hallmark's unveiling earlier this year of Hallmark Stories, a way for consumers to create photo albums; memory magazines; wallet-size, foldable snapshot books; and photo cards on their home computers using digital photographs.
The joint venture with Walmart.com is also a way for Hallmark to capitalize on the rapidly growing digital camera segment of the photography market. Consumers are expected to buy 4 million digital cameras in 2001.
Consumers can get their photos online by dropping off their film at Wal-Mart photo processing centers or by uploading digital images from their computers to Walmart.com's photo center.
Once digital images are loaded, the consumer can choose from more than 50 Hallmark Stories Photo Cards and combine those with any number of other design elements, including backgrounds and borders.
Users can write their own greetings or select one from Hallmark. Cards can be printed individually or in bulk. Bulk cards cost $1.36 each, while single cards cost $2.48. Cards can be signed, stuffed, stamped and mailed using the service.
"Wal-Mart wants to make it easy for customers to do more with their photos online," said Alex Change of Walmart.com. "This partnership allows us to offer our customers a fantastic way to turn their memories into high-quality Hallmark cards."
Boyds Gets Personal
Gettysburg, Pa., The Boyds Collection Ltd.(R) is introducing a brand spanking (ouch!) new program called Personally Boyds...Personally Yours! And, what that means is you can get a bear personalized for any and every occasion, whether ya need em' for a birthday or a baby's birth. This new program also provides a unique opportunity for Boyds retailers to grow their business as customers continue to look for unique gifts. For the first time customers will have the opportunity to personalize their own Boyds bear, a true one of a kind gift.
Here's how it works...a customer picks out his favorite bear and knit sweater/bib (from a pre-selected group), jots down a personal message, and the Folks at Boyds monogram it. We'll even pack it up with a special mini Boyds greeting card, and send it directly to the customer or gift recipient.
"The Personally Boyds...Personally Yours! The program combines everything that makes Boyds so appealing-affordable bears, whimsical appeal, a quality product at a tremendous value...all with a personal touch!" said Jean-Andre Rougeot, Boyds' CEO. "We've got a great product here and we're confident that our retailers and their customers will agree," said Rougeot.
Since this is a brand new program for Boyds, it's limited to only our best dealers (I know, we're such big meanies!). But, don't get too excited, the new program won't be available til October. You can check out our website to find a store near you that carries the new line.
The Boyds Collection Ltd. is a leading domestic designer, importer and distributor of branded (ouch!), high quality, handcrafted collectibles and other specialty giftware products. Boyds sells its products through a large and diverse network of independent gift and collectibles retailers, high-end department stores, selected catalogue retailers and other electronic and retail channels. Boyds crafts affordably priced, high quality, "Folksy with Attitude" collectibles. The Boyds Collection Ltd. is based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and is a publicly traded company (NYSE symbol: FOB).
After the Sept. 11 attacks, the popularity of firefighter-related memorabilia and toys has grown.
October 14, 2001
By RICHARD CHANG Orange County Register
Reuters
NEW YORK -- Since the September attacks in which they played such a heroic role, firefighters have attained the mythic status of soldiers, sports figures and royalty, inspiring collectors to acquire their artifacts and memorabilia.
Already, rescue toys are expected to be major sellers this holiday season. On eBay, www.ebay.com, about 1,000 items showed up under a search for "firefighter."
And on Nov. 11, Skinner Inc. in Boston plans to go ahead with an auction of over 500 rare items, including a 25-foot-long 1905 steam fire engine expected to sell for up to $30,000; an early photographic image of firemen ($8,000 to $10,000); and a silver "speaking trumpet" ($3,000).
Many items, such as hand pumps, trumpets and bells, were created to fight fires more effectively, while buckets, medals, helmet shields and badges often were painted, engraved and made out of gold or silver to honor rescuers or to display in parades.
"My first reaction was to cancel" after the Sept. 11 attacks, said George Glastris, director of science and technology at Skinner, the fourth-largest auction house in the country. "Our friends and colleagues in the fire services were emphatic that we host the auction as planned. ... I guess it's a way for them to get back to normal."
A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit The Uniformed Firefighters Association Widows' and Children's Fund, based in New York City.
Interest has grown in firefighting toys and memorabilia after the Sept. 11 attacks, as heroic firefighters are drawing accolades for work that professionals do along with volunteers, continuing an American tradition that goes back to the 1600s.
The history of firefighting is detailed in "Firefighting Antiques & Memorabilia," a book by James and Sandra Piatti, published by Schiffer, www.schifferbooks.com.
In 1630, the city of Boston set the country's first fire regulation: "Noe man shall build a chimney with wood nor cover his house with thatch." In 1657, each household was required by law to keep firebuckets at home.
In 1721, Richard Newsham of London applied for the first patent of the fire engine, and two of the new machines were bought by the city of New Amsterdam to supplement its three-gallon bucket brigades. The purchase marked the creation of the first volunteer engine company in the city in 1737.
Volunteer brigades proliferated throughout the country, and continue to thrive throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Philadelphia.
"In the early days, pumpers were operated by hand by 70 to 125 people. The volunteer departments got large and powerful," said Paul Romano, the police and fire chief of Lynnfield, Mass., who collects apparatus. "Steam engines eliminated the need for manpower. In a lot of places, it ushered in the era of the paid professional."
Now, full- and part-time firefighters work with certified volunteers who undergo rigorous training every year. Together with their families, these workers make up a big class of collectors.
The Nov. 11 auction will feature a major collection from a fire serviceman in Pennsylvania who acquired objects over more than 30 years, including engine lamps and lanterns, apparatus accessories, ephemera, alarm equipment, helmets and uniforms.
Since firemen spared no expense to outfit their engines, elaborate lights made of brass or silver-plate are among the most desirable collectors' items.
Lanterns usually featured a scene, apparatus, patriotic symbol, company and number. The finials were shaped as a fireman, King Neptune, or most commonly, an eagle. Prices range from $300 to $10,000, according to the Piattis.
While work clothes were simple, fancy helmets, badges and medals were created for awards or gifts to other fire companies. Shields, pitchers and swords also were crafted out of gold, silver or painted leather.
Prices for decorative headgear go as high as $7,000, while a Civil War sword with a firematic design on the blade is valued at $4,500.
Among the most prized images of firemen are daguerreotypes. One such image, of an engineer from the United States Hose Co. of Philadelphia, from around 1850 is valued at $5,000.
Cases designed to protect these early photos, made of gutta percha, a plastic compound, are worth several hundred dollars.
Toys are also popular, and those in stores this holiday season could turn out to be valuable collectibles in the long run. An antique bass drum from a firemen's marching band is valued at $500.
Fire collectibles may be found at antique shows and shops.
A valuable resource for collectors is The Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America, www.spaamfaa.com, has 3,700 members throughout the United States, as well as Europe and Japan.
Cop, Firefighter Fashion Craze Hits New York
By Ellis Mnyandu
Wednesday October 17 12:26 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Move over DKNY. Here comes FDNY.
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, items carrying the FDNY, as well as NYPD, logos of the New York Fire and Police Departments are being snapped up at street stands and retail locations.
In a sure sign that the fashion trend has arrived, counterfeiters are quickly stitching unauthorized initials onto caps and jackets to cash in on the demand, just as they have always done with designers like Donna Karan New York, which makes the DKNY label.
Buyers don't seem to care whether they're buying official, or pirated, merchandise.
``By this NYPD cap I am representing America,'' said Louis Marrero, 28, a resident of New York's Bronx borough after buying his cap from a street vendor in Times Square.
He said the World Trade Center attack affected him very much because some of his relatives work in the police force and faced the same danger that befell some of their colleagues on Sept. 11.
Sales of police and firefighting T-shirts, baseball caps, jackets and toys show no signs of slowing, even as fashion sales at department stores are hurting as a result of a slowing economy.
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (news - web sites), other government officials and Hollywood stars like Bruce Willis have also popularized FDNY and NYPD caps or jackets in solidarity with hundreds of fallen firefighters and officers. Now the trend has become a spontaneous outpouring by consumers.
``I don't call this a fashion statement. All I am doing is showing the world that these people gave their lives for us and this is a token of support,'' Marrero added.
``All that I am buying for my nephew this Halloween is an FDNY sweater. He loves the firefighters even more now,'' said Renee Korus, one of the many shoppers at the Fire Zone.
Much of what's being purchased on the streets, however, is unauthorized. The FDNY Fire Zone, which sells official fire department gear, said its sales of firefighting apparel have already surpassed those normally seen around Christmas since the attacks. But the store has also noticed the counterfeit goods being sold just outside its doors in Midtown Manhattan, and it wants to put a halt to the sales.
``What they are selling is fake and illegal. We are speaking to our attorneys,'' said Mary Weitzman, a spokeswoman for the Fire Zone, located off New York's Broadway.
Weitzman added that the fire department planned to seek an immediate court order to bar hundreds of unauthorized vendors that are now hawking ``fake'' FDNY merchandise.
The year-old store -- which features a replica of a firefighting truck and other firefighting gadgets -- is the only official retailer of merchandise from the FDNY.
``Since Sept. 11 our sales have surged. Each week we are doing business three times greater than we did last year,'' said Weitzman.
``All that's wanted is everything that says FDNY,'' she added.
Among the most popular items flying off the store were FDNY baseball hats, made popular by Giuliani on his many television appearances following the attacks. The hats sell for $15.95.
``People see this merchandise as the best way to pay tribute to all the firefighters that died on Sept. 11,'' said Weitzman.
Other items on the hot list include sweaters and T-shirts -- which sell for anything from $9 to $21.
The Fire Zone, which also has an Internet kiosk, has even asked for extra volunteers to help with the increase in customer traffic, said Weitzman.
But beside apparel, the Fire Zone is also preparing to launch an ``FDNY Billy Blazes Rescue Hero'' toy next month, well in time for Christmas.
The little firefighting figure is a special project between toy maker Fischer-Price -- a unit of Mattel Inc. -- and toy retailer Toys R Us Inc. Proceeds from the toy sale will be donated to a fire safety education fund.
Still, the New York Fire Department has ruled out any plan to capitalize on the merchandise craze by linking up with mass retailers like Wal-Mart Stores Inc., saying instead it is pinning its focus on the staff lost in the disaster.
An NYPD spokesman said the police department has no official retailer for its merchandise, but added that people are free to buy whatever they want with the NYPD logo from the street vendors. ``We are not in the business of selling T-shirts,'' he said.
PATRIOTIC SYMBOL VS RIP-OFFS
But pirated FDNY and NYPD merchandise has also mushroomed at almost every street corner in New York as streets vendors moved in quick to also make a fast buck since the merchandise is becoming another major symbol of American patriotism, much like Old Glory.
Sales of apparel with the NYPD logo is also on the rise, said a sales assistant at 42nd Street Bazaar Flea Market, near Times Square.
The assistant, who identified herself as Shamima, said fire department T-shirts -- mostly made in China -- were also selling quick. Her stall now also features a set of newly-arrived gas masks, which sell for $70.
``We want to cater for all demands. Some people have been looking at gas masks as they shop for their FDNY or NYPD stuff. Safety and patriotism go together here,'' she said.
But she declined to say how many gas masks have been sold at the store since the attacks and following an anthrax scare on New York last week.