Collectibles

A collectible is typically a manufactured item designed for people to collect. Items manufactured for other purposes such as postage stamps also may be collected. Today most postage stamps are used for that purpose but there is a significant production of stamps created with collectors in mind. In like manner, Star Wars figurines were first marketed as toys but eventually became collectibles. Perhaps a better definition of collectibles is a manufactured item that people collect. This definition eliminates the need for intent of the manufacture.

The earliest collectibles manufactured with that intent were included as incentives with other products such as cigarette cards and later, baseball cards. As the popularity of collecting grew, manufacturers looked for ways to make their products "collectible." They would create an entire series of a given item, with each item differentiated in some fashion. Some examples include Barbie dolls, Beanie Babies, special series of sports cards, themed figurines, and so forth.

The subcategories under collectibles, as used here, include advertising, autographs, bears, Disney, dolls, pens and writing instruments, stamps and coins, and other. Based on demand and your suggestions, additional subcategories will be added.