Category Archives: Hand Made

Shoe Shine Boxes – Part II – More Shine Is Just Fine

Just over two years ago, I wrote my first article about shoe shine boxes, those humble survivors of life in urban America. Since that time I have added a few more examples to my collection which I would like to … Continue reading

Posted in 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, Advertising, Americana, Hand Made, Historical, Jim, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Miniature Slant Front Desk – Salesman Sample or Something Else?

  “Antique” is a word that is frequently abused, especially in the past twenty or thirty years. It is often paired with the word “collectibles” and its true meaning frequently overlooked. For something to be truly “antique”, it is supposed … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, Americana, Hand Made, Jim, Miniatures | 1 Comment

Disney Pin-ups.

As a long time Disney collector, I have learned that there is a ton of junk on the market with Disney characters on it.  At this point it takes a special or rare piece of Disneyana to get me excited.  … Continue reading

Posted in 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, Amy, Animation, Art, Comic Characters, Disney, Ephemera, Hand Made, Historical, Humor, Movies, Weird | 1 Comment

Happy Holidays from Collectorgene!

Earlier this year, we posted pictures of this fantastic miniature house that Jim found at a local flea market.  Here it is all dressed up in its Christmas finery.  We considered it a fabulous find when Jim first brought it … Continue reading

Posted in 1900's, Americana, Carol, Christmas, Hand Made, Holiday, Miniatures | Leave a comment

When Your Holidays Need a Little Less Cheer and a Little More Fear, Bring in the Krampus.

For many years very few Americans seemed to be aware of some of the stranger characters associated with Christmas in other countries around the world.  Every country has their own traditions, and ours are rather tame compared to most.  All … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, 1900's, 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, Amy, Art, Christmas, Dolls, Foreign, Hand Made, Holiday, Humor, Miniatures, Monsters, Toys, Weird | 1 Comment

For the Love of Christmas Pixies!

It is now December, which means it is time to break out the decorations and make it look like Christmas threw up in our house!  We at the Collector Gene all love Christmas, and want to take some time this … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, 2010's, Amy, Christmas, Dolls, Hand Made, Holiday, Humor, Road Trip, Toys | 19 Comments

Last Travel-Log from the Road – 10/4/12: Antique Archeology-Nashville Submitted by Carol

When we set out on our cross-country journey at the beginning of September, we knew we wanted to antique our way across America, but we weren’t exactly sure where we would go.  We still have a few more days on … Continue reading

Posted in 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, Advertising, Americana, Art, Carol, Costumes, Ephemera, Hand Made, Historical, Humor, Jim, Lighting, Road Trip, Signs, Toys, Vehicular, Weird | Leave a comment

1950’s Donald Duck Wall Decoration – A Ducky Disney Whodunnit

One summer morning about two years ago, on what was to become a very hot day, I was on one of my typical hunting and gathering missions at my favorite weekly flea market.  I had already been through the market … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, Americana, Art, Disney, Hand Made, Humor, Jim | Leave a comment

Pick of the Week: Miniature House

This week’s “Pick of the Week” comes from one of our favorite flea markets.  This is a prime example of a “diamond in the rough” in that when I found it a lot of the porch railings as well as … Continue reading

Posted in 1900's, 1910's, Americana, Art, Hand Made, Historical, Jim | 1 Comment