Author Archives: admin

Pick Of The Week: Factory-Built Aurora Monsters

Posted on July 25, 2012 by

Besides Carol’s “Smile” photo project, we would also like to introduce “Pick of the Week”!  Each week (or as we go out looking for new old stuff) we will pick our favorite find of the week!  Pretty simple, right? To … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960's, Amy, Jim, Monsters, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment

Smile: Dr. Swett’s Root Beer

Posted on July 19, 2012 by

This happy young man is enjoying a refreshing glass of Dr. Swett’s Root Beer.  Most likely you have heard of Hire’s Root Beer, but not Dr. Swett’s.  Essentially, though, the products were very similar.  Dr. Swett’s may even predate Hire’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Signs | Leave a comment

Feature Matches: These Matches Should Be Featured in Anyone’s Collection

Posted on July 12, 2012 by

I’m not a matchbook collector, per se, but if I were a phillumenist, I’d definitely collect Feature Matches.  When it comes to little scraps of advertising ephemera, these clever and colorful matchbooks with pictures on the actual matches are matchless! … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Historical, Political | 6 Comments

Smile: Kreiss Psycho Ceramics

Posted on July 10, 2012 by

Look at those sparkling baby blues!  Note those gigantic pearly whites!  If this doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will. This is a Kreiss Psycho Ceramics figure from the late 1950’s or early 1960’s.  This company made all … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, Carol, Humor, Pottery, Weird | Leave a comment

Have a Happy Fourth of July! Here’s Something to Put a Smile on Your Face!

Posted on July 4, 2012 by

New on Collectorgene.com:  Beginning today, we at the CollectorGene want to start bringing you something to smile about weekly.  In addition to our full-length articles, we will be posting themed photos with short descriptions. “Smile” will be brought to you … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900's, 1910's, Americana, Carol, Holiday, Toys | Leave a comment

The Randotti Skull: A Staple of Disneyland Souvenirs for Several Decades

Posted on July 2, 2012 by

Almost as daunting as collecting Disney memorabilia in general is collecting Disney theme park merchandise.  After all, Disneyland has been merchandising itself consistently for 57 years.  If you visit a Disney theme park these days, you might notice that pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, Amy, Disney, Monsters, Weird | 12 Comments

It’s a Sign of the Times – The Nineteenth Century That Is

Posted on June 23, 2012 by

I have to admit – I love old signs.  Their sole purpose was to say “Hey, look at me and buy what I have to sell!”   Before we had radio or television, the role of the sign, at least small … Continue reading →

Posted in 1800's, Advertising, Americana, Historical, Jim, Signs, Weird | 1 Comment

South American Bart Simpson

Posted on June 15, 2012 by

I can’t say that I’ve been a Simpsons fan since day one. The reason for that is because in order for that to be true, I would have had to have watched The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1990's, Action Figures, Ben, Foreign, Humor, Toys, Weird | 8 Comments

The Unimal: Educational Hybrid Monster!

Posted on June 11, 2012 by

When I found my Unimal about 8 months ago, I thought I was just buying a wacky hybrid farm animal.  Turns out the Unimal, which is 1/5 cow, 1/5 steer, 1/5 chicken, 1/5 pig, and 1/5 sheep has a rich … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950's, Amy, Monsters, Uncategorized, Weird | 2 Comments

My Miller -Ironson Lumber Truck – One Owner, Low Miles and Still Truckin’

Posted on June 5, 2012 by

If you ask a toy collector how they got started, the response is often “I started buying back my childhood.”   It seems the lure of toys for adults is almost as great as it is for children.  Maybe it’s that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950's, Jim, Toys, Vehicular | 1 Comment