Collecting Hawaiin Kitsch

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Collectibles and Memorabilia.

Hawaiina or collecting all things hawaiin are sought after collectors for years or even decades.

For hawainna collectors owning a piece of tangible artifacts brings back a time when you are in a tropical paradise, away from all the cares of the reality of the world.

It brought a taste of the tropics that promise fun and excitement.

Hawaii being one of the top tourist destinations of the world provided visitors a lot of gifts and keepsakes from their exotic island travels, thus the souvenir industry in Hawaii today, is big business.

Little odd and ends, like hula girl lamps, hula doll nodders or popularly known as dashboard hula dolls, surfboards, aloha shirts, ukuleles, hawainn vintage posters, and tikis are among the things collectors would like to own.

Hawaiina’s heyday were in the fifties until seventies. They even dubbed it as Polynesian Pop and America just naturally embraced it. James Michener’s best selling novel The Tales of the South Pacific and the broadway musical hit South Pacific were all proofs that hawaiin influence were marked in the American cultural landscape.

Although Polynesian Pop waned in the seventies, it made a huge comeback brought on by scenesters in their twenties and a generation younger than baby boomers .

And from the rate I’ts going Hawaiina or Polynesian Pop or whatever you would call it, is here to stay.

So let this introduction be the first of its series on hawaiin kitsch collecting.
Remember for all your collecting ideas drop by Rare Antiques Collectibles and
Memorabilia.

Collecting Art Noveau

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Collectibles and Memorabilia.


Towards the end of the nineteenth century many of the more progressive artists grew tired of the heavy, ornate architecture, decoration and design of the time, which still contained the obvious influence of Classical, Baroque, Renaissance, Rococo and other styles.

Then there was a reaction called a revolt. It took the form of a return to simplicity, craftsmanship and a flowing line. The result was Art Noveau.

Today, Art Noveau pieces are quite expensive and from an investment point of view they would seem to be oversubscribed just like the stock market. This is because of two major points: first, the period of this style was relatively short(around twenty years) and secondly , much of it was hand –made.

Combine those two facts together its fairly obvious that the quantity of Art Noveau are limited. The law of supply and demand is driving prices up and the same law should ensure that those prices rise even higher.

Although Art Noveau is now sought after and the prices are generally beyond most pockets bear in mind that this style penetrated all aspects of life and many household articles can be found that won’t make a large hole in your pocket.

Ceramic tiles are one example. Thousands of fireplaces , bathrooms surrounds and hallways in old houses are decorated with Art Noveau tiles and firms demolishing such houses are usually careful when removing them.

If you decide to collect tiles, your investment will increase at a greater rate if you collect in sets. That would be sufficient to cover a small coffee table or what have you.

Like most things, Art Noveau furniture often reaches a stage of deterioration where it is either thrown away or sold cheaply. If you have the opportunity obtain such pieces, scrutinize them carefully because it might have furniture fittings that are distinctive and collectable.

If you have an interest in books, keep an eye for illustrated books of this period. A title that a bookseller might consider unimportant because of the lack of popularity of the author might well be worth buying for the illustrations or the design on the cover.

Finally, don’t forget the everyday objects that are easily overlooked. Examples that spring to mind are picture frames and cheese dishes.

Such items can still be picked up relatively cheaply and compiling a collection of either would constitute an excellent investment.

Remember for all your collecting ideas drop by Rare Antiques Collectibles and
Memorabilia.

Collecting Matchboxes

Collecting Matchboxes and Match Booklets

Welcome to Rare Antiques
Collectibles and Memorabilia.


The first friction match was invented by Dr. Charles Sauria in France in 1831. The fact is that the collecting of matchboxes, booklets and containers is already well established and can show a good profit if you really get to know your subject.

There are three main areas for collecting-specially made match containers, original matchboxes and match booklets.

The most decorative and possibly the most profitable are containers that were specially made to hold matches.

Some of the best examples of special matchboxes are in gold or silver, made by master craftsmen. Others were decorated with enamel and sometimes studded with precious stones. There are also containers made in pewter, pinchbeck, brass , electroplate, etc.

The collecting of original matchboxes is a little more difficult because at that time nobody thought they would ever be collected.

Before the introduction of phosphorous, early matches produced such a firework display of sparks and a cloud of toxic gas that the manufacturers were compelled to spell out the danger on their matchboxes like "Matches can damage your health" long before cigarettes.

Match booklets since their introduction in America around 1890, have been collected in albums just like postage stamps. And of course when there’s interest and demand, there’s money.

The main reason for match booklets becoming collectable is because from the start they were used as an advertising medium and so had a lot of attractive diversity, and they can easily be mounted in an album.

So depending on your interest and budget you can collect specially made match containers, matchboxes or match booklets.

Remember for all your collecting ideas drop by Rare Antiques Collectibles and
Memorabilia.