With the new season of Chesapeake Collectibles now airing Mondays at 7:30 pm, we want to celebrate the show’s community. We don’t lose sight of the fact that, with all due respect to the production staff and every collector who makes an appearance, the heartbeat of a program that’s in its 12th season is the year-after-year loyalty of a passionate audience.
We truly understand that passion factor. Collectors think differently! We may have only hinted at this before, but one of us here at MPT searches his coins each week for any with pre-1960 dates — so that he can easily buy 1950s baseball cards when he’s able to time travel.
C’mon, don’t chuckle, we KNOW how many of you out there also think like that.
Of course, summer is a great time of year for searching with more practical intentionality (maybe with an eye on the October 4-5 registration for the taping of Chesapeake Collectibles’ 13th season). How about putting your own spin on some of our appraisers’ recent ideas?
When Lisa Jones (pottery, porcelain, and glass) mentioned looking ahead to next year’s 250th anniversary of the United States, she mused about the unearthing of Americana, including historic flags. What about translating that into vintage display material in a category you already love, such as record album art? What jumps to mind? Maybe an exquisite condition copy of Johnny Cash’s Ragged Old Flag album?
Then there’s thinking big. We mean literally big. Who among you has the kind of home that could accommodate a Forever 21 sign? The closing of all that clothing chain’s U.S. locations was completed just this spring, and in this consumer culture, we have to believe that there are sign collectors who would treasure acquiring the actual storefront lettering from one of those fast-fashion spots. After all, “Forever 21” makes a nice statement of vigor and identity for someone while also memorializing a retail era.
Have we sparked a new quest or two for you? Are you going to restart the tinkering on that time machine project in the garage? Or just planning to go back in history by renewing past hunts for centuries-old Americana? If we failed to sufficiently motivate you here, keep watching the new season 12 episodes. The magic is in the shared feeling of excitement for discoveries that never stop surprising.
Registration is open for the Chesapeake Collectibles Season 13 taping weekend on October 4-5! Several time slots are beginning to fill up. Visit mpt.org/programs/chesapeakecollectibles/ today to reserve your spot.
Watch episodes of the new season of Chesapeake Collectibles anytime on the free PBS app and online at video.mpt.tv/show/chesapeake-collectibles/.
