A collectible is something–anything–deemed by a collector to be worth collecting, right? As I’ve shared from my story, finding Bicentennial items was, for me, convenient and fun. Dictionary.com goes a little further from our common definition by including items “any of a wide variety of items collected as a hobby, for display, or as an investment whose value may appreciate.”

Made To Be Collectible

As “manufactured collectibles” (items designed by industry for collecting vs. items deemed to be valuable for collecting), US Bicentennial items pretty much fall into the category of first two reasons for collecting: hobby and display. Evaluating current prices of most of the pieces in these pages, it’s pretty obvious the values haven’t really appreciated. One of the most hilarious examples of this here might be the paperwork accompanying Fenton’s milk glass Bicentennial sets produced for The General Federation of Women’s Clubs:

Finding Real Value

There are a few exceptions of course. But the things that make those exceptions have value are characteristics that apply to non-Bicentennial items as well: scarcity, producer notoriety, and manufacturing errors or mistakes.

Fenton products are, generally speaking, collectible for a variety of reasons. The brand has created long-term value and their range of items appeals to collectors of cats, vases, and candy dishes. Given inflation alone (i.e. no other appreciating factor), the costs of the four-plate set today should be over $300*. Instead, mint boxed sets can be found for under $50, which is less than the original selling price(s).

The conclusion I draw is: we have these things because we want to have them. Maybe they make us feel patriotic. Or maybe, like me, they are easily identifiable reminders of our past.

I suppose it’s possible on the USA’s Tricentennial we will look back to these items as a reminder of the 20th century celebration and assign new value. But for now, the USA Bicentennial Collection here is for hobby and display.

* US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI calculator

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