All articles tagged with #collector
A rare late-stage prototype of the original 2016 Google Pixel, marked 'Not for Sale,' is listed on eBay for over $100. The device, a 'sailfish' model with 128GB storage and Snapdragon 821 processor, is largely intact and bootable, offering collectors a unique piece of Android history, though it may have connectivity issues.
A Seattle man bought a rare orange Halo edition Xbox for $50 at a garage sale, unaware of its rarity. It was one of only three ever made and never sold publicly. He sold it for $15,000 to a private collector, highlighting the value of rare gaming consoles.
An art collector who previously purchased a banana duct-taped to a wall for $6 million has expressed interest in buying 100,000 more bananas, highlighting the ongoing debate over the value and nature of contemporary art investments.
After a 23-year search, a collector named minus_worlds finally acquired a rare sealed 1987 Castlevania for NES in an eBay auction for $90,100, with 130 bids. The game holds sentimental value as it was the first one his mother bought him. Another bidder, Frank Giaramita, graciously accepted defeat, predicting a potential future resale value of $250,000. This sale follows other recent high-priced retro game auctions, indicating a lucrative market for vintage video games.
A rare sealed hangtag copy of Castlevania for the original NES sold for over $90,000 on eBay after a bidding war, with the winning bidder being a prolific collector named Tom Curtin. The seller, located in Texas, has also sold other rare games recently, sparking speculation about a potential connection to an estate sale. The sale reflects a recent spike in interest around retro video game collecting, but also raises concerns about price manipulation controversies in the industry.
Roman Sharf, a well-known watch dealer, purchased a pair of autographed Donald Trump-branded sneakers for $9,000 at an auction during Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. The "Never Surrender" sneakers, adorned with American flag motifs and the former president's signature, were bought through the app Whatnot. Sharf, known for his luxury watch collection, showcased the shoes at his company's headquarters, emphasizing their newness and distinctive features.
Walkman collectors like Mark Ip and Stephen Ho are buying and selling vintage Sony Walkmans for thousands of dollars, driven by nostalgia and a desire for perfection in their collections. The iconic portable cassette player, once a status symbol, is now a sought-after item in the collector's market, with enthusiasts showcasing their pristine models on social media and at public displays. The trend has attracted interest from both older generations reliving their memories and younger people discovering the appeal of vintage technology, keeping the Walkman fever alive through online sales and 3D-printed spare parts.
A 16-year-old from Alabama has amassed a collection of 67 Stanley cups, with her parents spending around $3,000 to help her acquire every style and color of the popular tumblers. The viral tumbler craze, fueled by TikTok and social media marketing, has seen Stanley's profits spike tenfold in recent years. The insulated cups, known as the Stanley Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler, have become a sought-after product online, with the hashtag "#stanleycup" amassing over six billion views on TikTok. The cups, which sell for $45 to $50, have become a popular accessory for social media influencers, with limited releases causing a frenzy among customers.
A vase purchased for $3.99 at a thrift store in Richmond, Virginia, has sold for over $107,000. The bottle-shaped vase, made of high-end Murano glass from Italy's Venini, was initially valued between $30,000 and $50,000. The buyer, described as an esteemed collector, remains anonymous.
Roger Sorensen, a collector with a passion for classic cars, is auctioning off most of his 150-plus car collection in Corning, Iowa. The collection includes Chevys, Fords, Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Packards, and AMC vehicles, attracting attention as a tourist attraction. Sorensen, 78, has been buying and selling classic cars since he was 14 and has decided it's time to downsize. The auction will take place on Saturday, and Sorensen plans to keep a few cars for old times' sake.
YouTuber and rare guitar collector, Austin from The Trogly's Guitar Show, has finally tracked down the original Gibson map guitar prototype used in the company's 'American-made, world-played' campaign. The guitar, shaped like the US mainland, was a centerpiece of Gibson's promotional efforts in the 1980s. After years of searching, Austin secured the guitar through a lucky coincidence when a viewer who works at a guitar store recognized it from Austin's YouTube video and consigned it to the store. Austin plans to eventually display the guitar in his own museum.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has purchased the 1999 Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe, a one-off vehicle built through Porsche's Sonderwunsch program. The car features custom body and interior work, designed by Grant Larson, and is powered by a 3.6-liter Mezger flat-six engine. Seinfeld, known for his love of Porsches, bought the car for $1.3 million at an auction and is expected to actually drive it, unlike many other collectors.
A collector's binder of original 1990s Pokémon cards was appraised on Antiques Roadshow for $5,000 to $10,000 by expert Travis Landry. The set, purchased by the collector's mother for $35 in 1999, includes a holographic Charizard that could have sold for as much as $15,000 at the height of Poké-mania during the pandemic years.
A serious Nintendo collector thought he had found two decks of vintage souvenir playing cards, but they turned out to be fused together and worthless. However, after his story went viral, he was contacted by two people who had the actual decks in pristine condition. He purchased both and is now the proud owner of two rare and historic decks of Nintendo playing cards.
A collector has purchased a prototype GameCube that was originally showcased at the 2000 Nintendo Space World trade show. The prototype features a transparent window lid with LED lights inside, more air vents, and a different controller design. The collector details all the differences between the prototype and the final design of the GameCube. The GameCube was released in 2001 and has since gained a cult following among Nintendo fans.