Category Archives: Miniatures

Season’s Greetings from Santa’s Workshop – Our Bliss Adirondack Cottage

New to our Christmas display this year but not new to our collection is this Bliss Adirondack Cottage circa 1905.  When we bought it from a small local antique shop almost three years ago, we weren’t sure how to display … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, 1900's, 1910's, Americana, Carol, Christmas, Dolls, Holiday, Miniatures, Toys | 2 Comments

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

Promo Cars – Little Cars Used to Sell Big Cars

In 2012, I wrote about the rediscovery of my Miller-Ironson lumber truck, a prized possession of my childhood that I found in my mother’s attic and now proudly resides in our home. That journey back to my youth also led … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, Jim, Miniatures, Toys, Vehicular | 1 Comment

One of the Worst Toys I Have Ever Seen: Toe-kins

Every now and again you find a toy that is so stupid that you wonder why any toy company would think it would ever have selling potential to children. This is especially true when the toy has little or no … Continue reading

Posted in 1960's, 1970's, Amy, Dolls, Humor, Miniatures, Monsters, Toys, Weird | 4 Comments

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

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinjas

In preparing for this article, I’ve spent 28 years of my life being a giant nerd. I also looked through our website searching for the term “crossover collectible,” and since I haven’t seen it yet, now is as good a … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, 1990's, Action Figures, Ben, Miniatures, Monsters, Toys | 13 Comments

The Little Horribles Meet Dali

The Weakling from The Little Horribles For my first blog on Collectorgene.com, I wanted to share an observation that I made several years ago when I discovered the amazing pottery of Hagen Renaker.  I guess this story starts on a … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, Amy, Art, Hagen Renaker, Miniatures, Monsters, Pottery, Weird | 3 Comments