penny pinching

Announcements went out all over Facebook yesterday relaying that the new rates for 2015 have been released. People are already booking their 2015 vacations and keeping the travel agents quite busy. In search of that memory, thrill, excitement and possibly even that one item they can't live without. When I am at the parks one of my biggest thrills are hotel hopping and trying to get all the pressed Pennies I am missing. 

The first Pressed Penny was made in honor of the "World's Columbian Exposition" in 1893. It was very simple the name of the event around the perimeter and date in the middle. Now they can be extremely detailed. There are machines that you have to turn yourself and some that you just insert the appropriate amount and it works on it's own. 

As of today I have over 7 books filled and even some in a ziploc baggie. I have entire sets and ones I am still working on getting. There are some I have that are retired and some from places that no longer exist like Camp Minnie Mickey and toontown. It's a huge collection but I fit the whole thing in a Sulley lunch box. There cheap , fun, and amusing . Something for everyone even when you have to be penny pinching. 

Spot light Sunday Tom Margarites

It's Sunday again ! That means time to spot light another wonderful collector . This week we have Tom Margarites a 55 year old WDCC Collector from Chicago Illinois. WDCC or Walt Disney Classic Collection are retired Enesco Disney Sculptures that debuted in 1992 and retired in 2012. Precious Moments purchased the rights for a short time. Although when fans of the originals did not care for the new spins , they decided to discontinue entirely.

 

 

Ever since Tom was young he had a love for three dimensional characters. You could only imagine his reaction when on one of his many window shopping excursions he saw a WDCC Sculpture. When he saw Pecos Bill, Slue foot Sue, and Casey at the Bat all together he was instantly in love. He had to refrain himself when he found out the purchase price was more then he could afford for just one of the pieces. After time passed about 7 or 8 years and the birth of his daughters led to the purchase of Disney dvds he sat down and watched "Melody Time", and was reminded of the Disney Sculptures he fell in love with on display at the Disney store.

 


Being that he was already familiar with ebay he searched the Pecos Bill statue. He found one that was less then a quarter of the price it was when he first seen it! He was sure to snatch it up right away and begin what would become his collection. After 13 years of collecting he has acquired 205-210 WDCC's. This does not count his beautiful collection of Big Figs ( Figures that stand about 18 inches in height), Markrita, and other pieces. They are displayed beautifully by theme of the movie they are from, giving them a breath taking exhibit.

Tom still buys his pieces off of ebay today. He has even taken an interest in fixing pieces that have broken. He has made a few videos sharing his step by step process of recreating the figures . He does an amazing job of both fixing and keeping the original essence of the original piece. Like most of us collectors he enjoys sharing his collection and there history.

Collection of wants

It has become some what of a fad to have a Disney Bucket List. People list out the things they want to do at the Disney parks and mark them off as they go . Just like a normal everyday bucket list. Check out WDW DADS for some amazing examples. Since this blog is about my collection I am going to share my bucket list of my collection.

1. Get at least one Jim Shore Big Fig.
2. Get one Disney Standee
3. Get at least one poster from a movie theater ( Frozen, and Million Dollar Arm)
4. Get at least one tin toy
5. Get one of the many Disney turn about Cookie Jars
6. Collect all the Disney VHS movies ever made
7. Collect all the 100 years of Disney Mcdonald's toys
8. Have at least one piece that I can have signed personally.
9. Find at least one wooden pull toy in Mint condition that is not a reproduction.
10. Own a Disney prop from a Movie.
11. Find the super rare Epcot released Viewmaster
12. Purchase at least one of the Disney Character props from the Disney Store.
13. Own at least one lithograph
14. Own a piece of Disney and a piece of the cruise
15. Own a unreleased piece
16. and most important ... Open my Disney Museum!

A Piece of me! ( My First Give away)

When ever I need comfort I go and sit in the middle of my Disney room. Something about being surrounded by Disney stuff makes what ever is wrong not so bad. A comfort from childhood like a Plushie in the arms of a small child. With lack of a better space stuffed animals are taking over my house. I use a over the door shoe organizer to keep my small plushes in and my closet is filled til I come up with a better Idea.

My plushes range from vintage to talking. My favorite so far is the Interactive Stitch . He has different replies to what you say depending on his badness level. He is kept on the table in my bedroom in close range so I can find comfort in him when ever I need it.

I would like to share some of my collection with one of my readers . Share the blog on your facebook or Twitter and comment the link on this blog to be entered in a drawing I will announce the winner on this Sunday's spot light!