Rare and In-Demand

By Lauren Sherman
April 1, 2010

On the hunt for a desk engraved with gold Medusas? Or a document signed by John F. Kennedy from World War II?

Maybe not. But somebody is. And whatever you're looking for—no matter how rare or how odd—it's bound to pop up on eBay sooner or later.

Collectibles are a big part of eBay's business—in 2009 alone, more than 30 million eBay users spent time perusing the category. And the rarer the items are, the more likely it is that they're going to be of some value. Like any market, collectibles are about supply and demand. When there's less of something, no matter how weird it is, it'll increase in value as it garners more interest.

And while the most popular eBay collectibles category is sports memorabilia, there is much more to collectibles trading cards and signed baseballs, not to mention trophies, stamps and signed autographs of celebrities.

Old-fashion collectibles like dolls, coins and action figures continue to draw plenty of attention, but so do things like folk art sand bottles, Chinese silk robes and even mummified cats! Web sites like WhatSellsBest.com and CollectorsWeekly.com track some of the oddest trends in eBay's collectibles market. (Neither sites are owned by eBay.) On What Sells Best, you'll find everything from a French doll circa 1900—which recently sold for $17,600—to Boris Bucan music posters. On Collectors Weekly, you'll see items like an Art Nouveau cane or a set of original World War II matchbooks.

Dave Margulius, publisher of the San Franscisco-based Collectors Weekly, a site that documents what's available in pretty much every imaginable category of collectibles, says that the advent of e-commerce created a whole new generation of collectors, many of whom wouldn't have had the time to get involved otherwise. That's why every odd antique has a following these days. "[E-commerce] opened up a new audience for interesting, rare stuff," said Margulius. "Before, if you were a hardcore collector, you would hit the road with your husband or wife and attend tons of collecting shows. For people that don't have that kind of time, you can learn about things instantaneously [now]."

But as collectibles gain more traction on the internet, will they lose their specialness? Definitely not, says James Massey, publisher of Seattle-based What Sells Best. "Because rare collectibles are defined by their limited supply and desirability among niche collectors in the marketplace, I think there will always be demand."

One of the most unique—but popular—collectibles is antique thimbles. "When we first launched the site, I thought, 'Wow, can there really be that many people interested in thimbles?'" Massey says. "But it's a global thing. There are definitely thousands of people who collect them."

Here are some other popular collecting categories you may have never thought of:

Vintage Beer Cans

Sure, collecting beer steins or even beer bottles makes sense, but what about aluminum beer cans? Indeed, a group of avid beer lovers is fueling the market. But Margulius explains that it's often less about the actual product and more about the place where the product came from. "People who collect in the breweriana category are often more interested in brands than products," explains Margulius. "If the can is from a small local brewery that the collector is a fan of, then the item has more value."

Massey explains that "flat top cans, which were once opened with a can opener, (before tabs were available) and cone-shaped cans, which were capped with a bottle cap, appear to be the favorites among beer can collectors." These were produced from the 1930s to the 1960s.

1. 1968 James Bond 007 Special Blend Beer (sold for $480) The beer, produced by the National Brewing Company—a brewery that still exists—has a picture of a bond girl splayed on the front.

2. Beverwyck Irish Ale (sold for $22.53) Packaged in New York, this can is a bit rusty, but it's beautiful green color and its age—it hails from the 1940s—make it an appealing addition to any beer can collector's shelf.

3. Tennent's Ann Pale Ale Can (sold for $113.49) Not only is this can in perfect condition, but the image is also so unique that any aficionado of 1950s imagery will enjoy it.

Lobby Cards

Unlike movie posters, lobby cards—which haven't been used since 1985—documented a scene in a film. Found in the lobbies of theaters around the country, they were kind of like story boards for the public. What's really interesting, though, is that there are a lot more story boards in good condition than old movie posters. So while posters may be the traditional collector's item, story boards are a more affordable way to buy a piece of cinematic history. "Movie posters were sent out by the studios then passed from theater to theater, so they were damaged easily," says Margulius. "Lobby cards, on the other hand, were usually given away to movie goers at the end of a run, so they were better taken care of. There were also more of them printed."

1. The Green Slime (sold for $61.57) From the 1969 horror film.

2. Funny Face (sold for $212.50) Scenes from one of Audrey Hepburn's most popular films.

3. Little Nelly Kelly (sold for $103.50) An old-timey image.

Antique Beauty and Barber Shop Equipment

Whether it's a barber's chair or a vanity, these old school salon pieces are selling to those after quirky furniture, including tattoo artists! "I've heard of some collectors using these in their homes," says Massey. "But I've also heard they've become really popular decor in tattoo businesses."

1. Antique Aluminum Barber Chair (sold for $1,000) This chair could be a cool recliner.

2. Vintage Hair Stylist Salon Chair (sold for $41) This would work in front a vanity.

3. Vintage Paris Salon Mirror (sold for $1,600) This piece adds a Parisian boudoir feeling to the room.

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