Eric Clapton Stratocaster "Blackie" Becomes Most Expensive Guitar Sold at Auction
June 25, 2004
by TOM WATSON

"Eric Clapton's prized Stratocaster, 'Blackie', brought $959,500 in the Christie's Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Auction, becoming the most expensive guitar ever to have been sold at auction. Stevie Ray Vaughan's Stratocaster, 'Lenny' received the second highest price ever paid for a Fender Stratocaster at auction, fetching $623,500. A new world record was also set for the sale of a Gibson guitar - Clapton's 1964 red Gibson ES-335 brought $847,500."

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TOPPS READIES FOR HISTORIC AUCTION

Sportsology.Net - NON-Sports Card News

"On Saturday, June 26th, 2004, Topps will start one of its most anticipated auctions ever-The Wacky Packages Original Art Auction.
The auction, which will take place via the internet on www.TheToppsVault.com, will feature original Wacky Packages art (1967-2004) including 'Crust' Toothpaste (Valued $25,000 -$45,000-see attached), the all-new Martha Stewart spoof and many more."

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Collector's Corner: Water Guns
By Michele Alice
AuctionBytes.com
June 20, 2004

"When I was growing up in Detroit, every kid in the neighborhood had a water gun. Of course, that was a long time ago, and our 'squirt guns' were pretty standard for the day: transparent plastic 'pistols' in bright colors that 'shot' a thin stream of water six or seven feet."

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Some Recent Upper Deck Ken Griffy Jr. Rookie Card prices:

1989 UPPER DECK KEN GRIFFEY JR RC *PSA 10* - May 10, 2004 - 19 bids - $325.00

1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. RC BGS 9.5 10 Centering - May 13 - 28 bids - $510.00

Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck rookie BGS 9.5 GEM MINT - May 19 - 15 bids - $416.11 (This seller stated: "This was a $2,500 card just a couple years ago..Get it now while it's still a bargain..Don't wait to grab these..This card is so tough to find in top condition due to rough cutting, and centering")

1989 UPPER DECK KEN GRIFFEY JR RC PSA 9 MINT - May 17 - 11 bids - $66.18

1989 UPPER DECK KEN GRIFFEY JR ROOKIE RC! MINT! NR! - May 8 - 11 bids - $33.00

1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 8 NM-MT - May 9 - 10 bids - $32.19

Looks like the top graded cards get the big money....

Griffey card still a hot item

1989 rookie card revolutionized collecting
By Mark Newman / MLB.com
Cincinnati Reds News

"It was card No. 1 in a set of 800, and there was something as different about that particular card as there was about its subject.
Ken Griffey Jr. became the player of the 1990s in Major League Baseball, and his 1989 Upper Deck rookie card became the card of the decade as well.
...The Card is not on a par with a Honus Wagner or a Mickey Mantle in terms of cash value. Generations from now, though, there is a good chance it will be remembered as a turning point in the world of trading cards."

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EBay full time
www.tennessean.com
Sunday, 06/13/04

"Todd Benne's idea for a future career began several years ago when he saw a bunch of Christmas ornaments on sale at Wal-Mart for $1 each a few days after Christmas. Valuable stuff, right?
He took them home and put the first one on eBay New Year's Day. Amazingly, it sold for $24. What began as a $15 investment in some 15 ornaments turned into about $250 after the auctions were over."

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eBay's Top Ten Collectibles -- May 2004
Decorative Collectibles
From Barbara Crews,
Your Guide to Collectibles.

Jun 21 2004
Top 10 Hot Categories
Hallmark Series Ornaments (Mary's Angels, Frosty Friends)
Longaberger Baskets & Dinnerware
Enesco This Little Piggy
Franklin Mint Collectibles
Josef Collectibles
ANRI Collectibles
All God's Children
Flambro
Margaret Furlong
Department 56 North Pole"

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COLLECTORS' ITEMS - Dad rags

"Vintage Hawaiian shirts are treasured collectibles. They are now pop culture symbols, a bit of Americana.
Gary Moss, an optometrist from Westford, Mass., has vintage shirts dating back to the 1930s that are worth more than $1,000."

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