When it comes to collectibles, nobody beats Coca-Cola.

The fizzy beverage that has been a household name for nearly 150 years is much, much more than a product that helps quench your thirst. Its brand recognition has garnered generations of fans across the globe. It’s said that 94% of the world’s population can identify the brand’s red and white logo, and that the phrase “Coca-Cola” is the second most understood phrase in the world, right after ‘okay.’ Currently, Coca-Cola can be found in more than 200 countries. The brand hasn’t only influenced the food and beverage industry, but pop culture as well (no pun intended).

A refreshing brand

Coca-Cola has long also been a giant in the antiques industry. Coca-Cola collectibles of every type have spread the word about “the Pause That Refreshes” in the form of coolers, bottles, calendars, clothing, stuffed animals, serving trays, and more. Collectors clubs have brought collectors together around the world, too, with regular conventions allowing collectors to buy, sell, and trade every item imaginable. Regionally, the Mid-America Chapter serves Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa (its 50th anniversary show is coming up, from April 17-18 in Independence, MO); the city of St. Louis alone has its very own chapter, the Gateway to the West Chapter.

According to one historian, Coca-Cola’s logo began to appear on regular, everyday items you might find around the house.

“The marketers were tremendously creative in producing things that you’d carry on your person, things like wallets, purses, cufflinks, pocket mirrors for the ladies, bookmarks, stamp holders, and notebooks. Let’s say your wallet has a Coca-Cola emblem on it,” Phil Mooney, former archivist for the Coca-Cola Co. told Collectors Weekly in 2009. “Well, every time you pull out that wallet to pay a bill, it was a reminder to try a Coca-Cola. Or say you had a lady’s pocket mirror. Every time you adjusted your make-up, you’d get that reminder as well. All of these items had a very utilitarian element—they were things that you used every day in the course of living your daily life. Yet each was an invitation for you to try a glass or a bottle of Coca-Cola.” 

The soda with a place in history

Until its invention, Mooney explains, beverages were usually fruit flavored. Cola itself was a new product, and the company pulled out all the proverbial stops to get consumers to give it a try. That meant putting the logo on items such as clocks in drug stores and on scales at the pharmacist’s desk. It was a strategy that worked, and the advertising found its way to even more items as the 19th century ended and the 20th century began. Mooney said he especially enjoys Coca-Cola antiques made during two specific periods.

“I like the turn-of-the-century Coca-Cola antiques. They have that wonderful Victorian quality to them. The very ornate trays with those fashionably dressed women on them immediately take you back to that period in our history,” Mooney said. “I also like the advertising that we did in the 1920s. If you read history and literature, you probably already have a picture in your mind of what people looked like in the 1920s. … Well, advertisements for Coke in the 1920s capture all of that perfectly. If you want to know what a flapper looked like, just take a look at a Coca-Cola tray. Coca-Cola advertising from that period captured the lifestyle perfectly. It’s almost like a photographic record.”

According to Mooney, Coca-Cola’s brand recognition reached new levels in the post-World War II era, thanks to American soldiers being dispatched throughout the world and introducing local populations to the drink. For those GIs, Mooney said, “Coca-Cola was a strong reminder of home.”

Start or add to your own Coca-Cola collection at the 50th Anniversary Coca-Cola Collectors Show & Sale, APRIL 17-18 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Independence, MO. For more information, contact Joanie Shover at jshover50@aol.com or 816-229-8920, or visit www.mid-americatcccc.com. To book a room, call the hotel at 816-350-3000.

You might know someone who collects Hummel figurines – those figurines of cherubic children at play or dutifully marching off to school, satchel in hand. Or perhaps you’re a collector yourself, boasting a sizable group of figurines displayed prominently in an antique cabinet or on a bookshelf or table. You’re certainly not alone; those precious porcelain treasures have enjoyed a cultlike following for decades.

An idea created in a convent

The figurines come from the most humble of beginnings. Sister Maria Innocentia, born Berta Hummel in Bavaria in 1909, possessed an artistic talent from a young age. The young Berta would tap into her blossoming imagination to sketch and paint idyllic scenes on postcards. In 1927, she moved to nearby Munich, Germany, in order to fine-tune her talent; however, a higher calling from God would lead Berta to a convent in the early 1930s, where she would take the name Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel.

“Within the walls and the beautiful surroundings of the centuries-old convent, she created the paintings and drawings that were to make her famous. Within these sacred confines, her artistic desires enjoyed unbounded impetus,” according to a 2021 article by Hummel expert Heidi Ann von Recklinghausen in Antique Trader. “As she adjusted to convent life, Maria Innocentia found fulfillment in teaching art to kindergarteners and leading the convent’s Vestments Department, designing clerical robes, church altar cloths and banners. She also began to sketch the endearing pictures of children that would someday make her famous.”

The children depicted in Sister Innocentia’s drawings all shared a distinct look, helping her work stand out among others, von Recklinghausen writes.
“These were stylized images of country children going to school, making music, playing simple games. The colors were muted, the style loose and sketchy. And the children were enchanting. Cheeks were plump, hair windswept,” she writes. “Shoes were too big, and socks sagged. The artwork was published in a variety of forms, including postcards, and Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel began to develop a reputation as a fresh talent in the world of religious art.”

Hummel figurines take shape

Though Sister Innocentia died of tuberculosis in 1946, she would live to see the children depicted in her postcards come to life as figurines, all thanks to a German company that specialized in porcelain and fine earthenware. The company, W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik, had been founded in 1871. By the time he gained control of the company in 1929, the owner, Franz Goebel, had decades of experience in the industry, crafting a name for himself and his company throughout Europe. Goebel first learned of Sister Innocentia’s popular postcards in December 1933, and the Sisters at her convent asked Goebel himself to reproduce the cards in some form; Goebel decided they would be best created as a series of figurines.

From their introduction in 1935, the figures were a hit, and though production was paused throughout World War II, it quickly resumed immediately following the war.

“During the American Occupation, the United States Military Occupation Government allowed Goebel to resume operation. This included the production of Hummel figurines,” von Recklinghausen writes. “During this period, the figurines became quite popular among U.S. servicemen in the occupation forces, and upon their return to the United States, many brought them home as gifts. This activity engendered a new popularity for Hummel figurines.”

A mark of authenticity

Though original Hummels are plentiful, imitators still exist. To ensure yours is an authentic Hummel figurine, check for the trademarks. The original Crown Mark, for instance, was used in the earliest figures produced; it displays an image of a crown with the initials “WG” (for William Goebel) directly below it. An illustrated guide to this and other Hummel trademarks can be found at https://www.antiquetrader.com/collectibles/hummel-trademarks-identified.
In addition, according to Antique Trader, the signature “M.I. Hummel” at the base of the piece, along with a mold number, will both appear on authentic Hummels. Fake figurines will be missing those marks and lack detail in general.

Pricing for Hummels can vary significantly, but it is important to note that their value has declined over the years due to market saturation and decreasing popularity. Most are worth less than $100, but pieces that are both larger and rare, as well as those in perfect conditions with original box can fetch several thousand. It always helps to check sites such as eBay and Etsy – or one of the several Hummel price guides – for more specific numbers.
Of course, like so many other antique and vintage collectibles, Hummels’ value lies in their sentimentality or nostalgia, which is simply priceless.
“(Hummel figurines) have become symbols of carefree childhood – to the enjoyment of millions,” according to hummelgifts.com. “Collectors and admirers from all over the world agree that the artistic perfection and quality of an M.I. Hummel product are unique in the world.”

When it comes to Christmas decorations, these collectors mean business.

And business continues to be good for Kansas City-based Hallmark Inc., which, while known globally for its greeting cards, is just as renowned for its annual new releases of keepsake Christmas ornaments.

The company itself, originally called ‘Hall Brothers,’ was founded in 1910 by 21-year-old J.C. Hall and his brothers, who seized upon the growing popularity of greeting cards in starting what would become a retail empire. Within 20 years, business was booming for Hallmark Inc. – so much so, that the Hall brothers signed the company’s first licensing agreement with Walt Disney – another household name who had roots in the Kansas City area – allowing Disney characters to appear on Hallmark greeting cards and other merchandise. It was only four years after the public debut of Mickey Mouse in Disney’s short animated film “Steamboat Willie.” The Hall Brothers company, meanwhile, would be renamed Hallmark Inc. in 1954.

A seasonal delight becomes a tradition

By the time the 1970s came about, Hallmark was a national brand with multiple licensing agreements. In 1973, the company began producing and selling a small line of Christmas ornaments, made up of just six glass ball ornaments and 12 figures made of yarn.

“Fifty years later, these ornaments that make up Hallmark’s collectibles history can be found for as little as $80 to several hundreds of dollars on sites such as eBay and hallmarkornaments.com, an online source for purchasing rare and hard to find Hallmark Keepsake and Christmas ornaments,” according to a 2022 article in The Journal of Antiques by its publisher, Maxine Carter-Lorne. “And it’s not just age that is setting value in the marketplace as Hallmark continues to intentionally release limited-run ornaments to drive the collector market.”

The publisher also writes that for novice and veteran collectors alike, there is one line of Hallmark Christmas ornaments that stands out above the rest.

“While the company has been producing ornaments since the early 1970s, its line of ‘Keepsake’ ornaments is the most collectible. Keepsake ornaments come in a Hallmark red box with the word “Keepsake” below the Hallmark name and are dated,” according to Carter-Lorne. “The collectibility of Keepsake ornaments is differentiated by a variety of qualifiers that include Storytellers, limited quantity designs, being part of a continuing series, using licensed characters, special convention and Hallmark member exclusives, and personalized ornaments.”

A dazzling cast of characters

Hallmark has even launched its very own Keepsake Ornament Club. Members of the club receive a bevy of benefits, including purchase coupons and reward dollars to be used on merchandise, access to purchase four new club-exclusive ornaments, early access to VIP member shopping events, quarterly newsletters, and members-only events and virtual experiences. Membership for 2026 is $49.99; for more information, visit https://www.hallmark.com/ornaments/keepsake-ornament-club/. Some of the most popular ornament series in the Keepsake line include Barbie, Star Wars, Peanuts, and The Wizard of Oz.

Characters from these series also appear in the company’s collectible figurines, popular all year long. In addition to the characters associated with these pop culture franchises, collectible figurines also include holiday and religious figures and scenes. Secular characters and symbols include the Grinch, Santa Claus, and even the leg lamp from the 1983 holiday cult classic “A Christmas Story.” Religious figures and symbols appearing on Hallmark’s figurines include angels and nativity scenes.

Hallmark’s collectible ornaments can be sold and traded on multiple websites – and they only continue to grow in popularity.
One of the most valuable Hallmark Keepsake ornaments has been their 2009 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation ‘Cousin Eddy’s RV’ ornament,” Carter-Lorne writes. “With the original box, some have recently sold on eBay for over $500. Another, released in 2015, is “Up On The Housetop,” one of which sold on eBay for $250 in September 2020.”

The collectors’ corner

Ornament and figurine collectors in cyberspace can connect to buy, sell, and trade their pieces on social media. Groups like ‘Hallmark Ornament Collectors’ currently clocks in at more than 17,000 members, while ‘Hallmark Ornament Collectors Chatter Group’ boasts 13,000 members. It’s a testament to the pieces’ status as cherished holiday treasures that will always make the season merry and bright.

The memories made with each Hallmark ornament hung on the Christmas tree and each figurine proudly displayed in one’s home are truly precious, according to the Keepsake Ornaments’ homepage on Hallmark.com – and you simply can’t put a price on that.

“What’s kept our brand strong for over 50 years?” the website asks. “A commitment to making memories, while creating a future that’s bright as can be.”

With Veterans Day comes an appreciation of the sacrifices made by the military servicemen and women who have defended the country from enemies both foreign and domestic. But what happens to the items they wore and carried with them into battle? Some are kept as cherished family heirlooms; others yet are donated or sold to military surplus stores, waiting to be adopted by those interested in military history. The list of items that find their way into such stores are as varied and diverse as the people who once used them.

Uniforms

Military uniforms can be repurposed into Halloween costumes or used in the great outdoors, whether camping or hunting or hiking. Military uniforms are usually good sellers at surplus shops because they’ve been made to last, standing up well to any kind of weather or activity.

Have a big work project and need appropriate clothing for your big home projects? Look no further than your nearest military surplus store. Old military boots are especially helpful for every activity from gardening to home reno-vations, according to the U.S. Armed Forces Superstore.

“Because of their durability, old military uniforms make great work clothes for chores around the house. Consider using them for landscaping, gardening, automotive and household repairs, and just about anything rough and dirty. Of course, this doesn’t apply to Class A or Class B uniforms,” according to an April 2023 article on the superstore’s website. “Old military boots are great for cutting the grass and using lawn maintenance equipment because they are steel-toed and can protect feet from flying rocks, fast-moving string cutters, and blades. Workshop at the house? Wear the old combat boots.”

Medals and ribbons

“Military medals are hard-won symbols of bravery, valor, and skill. Each tells a story of a moment in history and a person who rose to the occasion,” according to Collectors Weekly. “As works of military art, they can also be quite beautiful, whether their colorful ribbons bear enameled crosses, metal stars and bars, or commemorative coins.”

As of mid-October, listings of military medals on eBay spanned multiple countries and every major conflict in which the U.S. was involved. Prices ranged from less than $10 to as much as several hundred dollars for a U.S. Naval Service medal from the 1898 Spanish-American War.

And the most valuable medal ever sold at auction? That would be the Victoria Cross. According to Central Mass Auctions, only 1,358 have ever been made and issued to members of the British Armed Forces “for valor in the presence of the military. A medal worn by Captain Alfred Shout for his service in the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915 sold at auction for $550,000. Less prestigious versions of this rare medal sell for around $2,000.”

For as long as humans have gathered around campfires to tell tales of the unexplainable, there have existed ghost stories.

Halloween itself came from the ancient Celtic tradition Samhain, which took place Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The Celts believed that on those two days, the dead were able to roam the Earth among the living. They also dressed themselves in dead animal furs as a way to confuse evil spirits – it’s how we arrived at our tradition of dressing in costume on Halloween night, in fact.

The big questions

Dr. Favin Martin of the private school Arcadia University in Pennsylvania is an expert on legends and lore. He says that although ghost stories are used to frighten and delight audiences, they also represent society’s larger questions about death and related topics.

“I would argue that ghosts are cultural agents, tasked with explaining the meaning of life and the afterlife,” Martin said in a 2024 article on the university’s website. “However, I would also point out that ghost stories allow us to think about our anxieties on death, the unknown, and unresolved conflicts. To that end, the perception of ghosts varies from being scary and evil, to lost wandering souls, with each story portraying the ghost differently.”

It’s never been difficult for us to picture ghosts – they usually are portrayed as being comprised of an airy, misty material; according to the Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, the early belief among many cultures is that ghosts were “the person within the person” – the person’s spirit – which appeared as “a white mist upon exhaling in colder climates.”

The golden age of ghost stories

Though the oral tradition of telling ghost stories by a campfire might best bring spooky tales to life, the technological innovations born from the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries helped spread them even further. Now, magazines (and later, books like pulp novels) could bring the dead to life, so to speak. They were published in periodicals like Good Housekeeping (hey, no one ever said those houses couldn’t be haunted).

Historians generally agree that the golden age of the ghost story began with the closing years of the Industrial Revolution in the early 1830s and ended with the start of World War I – a period of nearly 90 years. Many historians maintain that writers like Edgar Allan Poe ushered in this golden age; this age also gave us Washington Irving’s short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” written in 1820, in which the bashful schoolteacher Ichabod Crane is relentlessly pursued by the villainous and otherworldly Headless Horseman. Another Victorian author who would go on to achieve literary fame, Charles Dickens, wrote perhaps the most beloved ghost story in English literature, “A Christmas Carol,” a tale with a much happier ending in which Ebenezer Scrooge sees the error of his miserly ways after being visited by the ghost of old Jacob Marley and a trio of spirits soon after.