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Future Stock or Future Schlock?

© Barbara Nicholson Bell

Like most of us, I've been thinking lately about the future - not just my personal future, but about those matters which affect everyone: who will be the next president? how high will gasoline prices go? who will win the NCAA tournament? And yes, as an antiques collector and writer about antiques and collectibles, I've been wondering if anything I have been accumulating will turn out as the next "hot" item for collectors, or if there's something I haven't thought of yet that will turn out to be IT.

And, coincidentally, I'm not the only one wondering about those critical questions. The folks at the New York-Pennsylvania Collector are also trying to read the crystal ball about the future of antiques and collectibles. In the April 2000 issue, author Sharon Bloemendaal reports on the results of a questionnaire which was answered by readers and some attendees at a recent Antiques & Collectibles Associations (ACA) conference. As this publication does not yet have a webpage, I can't link you to the article. And, as I don't have permission to quote from it, I will direct you to find the paper at your local antiques shows and shops. Or, write to them at: NY-PA Collector, 73 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424.

Terry and Ralph Kovel spotted some interesting items recently on their TV show (currently showing on HGTV): plastic kitchenware from the 1950's, and horse-racing memorabilia. Ralph Kovel was particularly taken by horse blankets worn under the saddles of racehorses. They are one-of-a-kind, and colorful decorating accents.

Isn't it funny that now, in 2000, anything from the 1900s (the 20th century) is now "old"? Well, maybe not everything! But I expect very soon the media will convince us that 20th century ideas and designs are either passé or worthy of nostalgia. Keeping that in mind, there are probably dozens of 20th century cultural icons which we can take note of, and which in some cases will become the significant trends for collectors.

Off the top of my head, I can think of a few - and I'm sure you can come up with others. For example:

Smoking-related items such as ashtrays, brand-labeled clothing and accessories, advertising and ephemera.

Advertising pieces related to computers, such as mousepads, mugs, and office items, especially for those companies which are now defunct.

Trading cards and/or advertising items which use holographic art. Most credit cards and bank cards use holographs now for identification purposes, but it's the holographic art which is more interesting.

The copyright of the article Future Stock or Future Schlock? in Antiques & Collectibles is owned by Barbara Nicholson Bell. Permission to republish Future Stock or Future Schlock? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.