Anniversary of the Barbie Doll - February 13 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

One of the most recognized toys and doll personalities of all time first went on sale on this day, February 13, in 1959.



There is some dispute as to whether the Barbie doll was born on the February date or in March of the same year, but what is certain is that she appeared at the 1959 American international Toy Fair and that her cozy size, long models' legs and her flowing hair made Barbie an instant staple in American consumer's and collector's homes alike, and Colnect recognizes the fifty-third anniversary of her first going on sale with a rare one dollar silver coin from Tuvalu. The gorgeous coin is a fiftieth anniversary issue and is one of a mint of only twenty thousand.



Barbie, the fashion doll, became Mattel's figurehead since her inception, and the company made the Barbie doll not only a fun toy for people to dress up in myriad clothes that could be bought, but also held themes and limited runs putting Barbies in the collectible categories of the world.

The smooth round Barbie coin was made in the Perth mint in Australia and it features a dead-on likeness of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and Barbie Fiftieth Anniversary on the other. Most of the coin is silver, but the Barbie side does have a cloud of pink to infuse the famous doll with one of her favorite colors.

Colnect provides many categories for collectibles that are rare and valuable, and the Tuvalu Barbie silver coin is no exception.

50th Anniversary of Signing of Jamaica's Independance - February 9 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

February 9, 2012 is fifty years to the day that the tropical island in the Bahamas where Bob Marley was born, the beautiful country of Jamaica, officially signed for its independence in 1962.



Colnect's tremendous array of collectible postcards offers up a look at the truly colorful Jamaican Sunset as celebrated by this 1990 portrait.

Throughout the late nineteen fifties, Jamaica fought to leave the colonial power of the United Kingdom and joined the Federation of the West Indies as an autonomous British island. It was not until February 9, 1962 that Jamaica would sign to remove itself from the federation and become its own independent country. It was not recognized fully until August of the same year, but February 9th was the historic date when the people signed off on their own freedom.

The Jamaica City series postcard, Jamaican Sunset, highlights the extraordinary magic that the tropical island contains with nature's blessing. In this delightful postcard, there is no city to be found, only tall palm trees and green, red, orange, yellow, purple and black colors vividly photographed. Once freedom emerged for the island, the opportunity for the growth of reggae and the singer, innovator, and peaceful prophet Bob Marley became possible. The island's music would echoes the beaches, the slender trees, and the surreal sunset.

This postcard seems to capture the very essence of the heart of Jamaica, and this is one of many examples of Colnect's rare collectibles being both historic and incredibly poignant in their representations.

Muhammad Ali Capturing Title - February 6 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

Possibly the greatest boxer in the history of the world, Muhammad Ali rose to recapture and win the W.B.A. championship by defeating Ernie Terrell in fifteen rounds on February 6, 1967; Ali had been previously stripped of his title for fighting a rematch against Sonny Liston.

Colnect proudly features Austria's commemorative Personalities stamp with their Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali beauty.

Shortly after winning the World Boxing Association's championship belt for the first time, boxer Cassius Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali to forever proclaim his allegiance to the Islamic faith. The fighter fought for peace throughout the world from that point on.

Due to his rebellious nature, the man who proclaimed himself "The Greatest" was stripped of the title, barely a month after this February 6th Terrell fight, because he refused to fight in the Vietnam War. Ali's stand is a historic event tied closely to his role model status that being a boxing champion garnered him: he did this before widespread protests had even begun, and he would help give credence to the anti-war movement throughout the world.

The Muhammad Ali stamp captures Ali standing over a knocked down opponent and taunting them, as he would often do; his quickness and patented crouched bobbing and weaving style were second to none. The golden background, bright red gloves, and detail make this 1.25 Euro stamp a true collectible.

View the numerous other stamps and Colnect categories to see rare treasures featuring historic events and highlights from all over the globe.

MILESTONE: 222,222 Stamps Featured on Colnect!

One of Colnect's most auspicious collecting catalogs has grown leaps and bounds and now reached a new MILESTONE: as of today there are 222,222 stamps featured on Colnect.



Due to the hard work of the collectors, the colnectors - those working to keep Colnect up and running marathons, like the new coordinator assisting Lola22, Peti543 - and the precious collectibles themselves, the stamp archive on Colnect can boast its newest achievement that goes well over two hundred thousand stamps. Colnect has added over ten thousand stamps since November's last achievement.

Whether it is celebrating history and the International Book Year, in the Republic of Indonesia's beautiful seventy-five Indonesian rupiah stamp from 1972, or just a richly detailed and vividly colorful space exploration stamp from Mongolia, there is something here for everyone.



As you, the Colnect collectors, continue to bolster the vast archives with exceptionally extraordinary collectibles and artifacts, remember that it is through your work, pleasure, and connecting that the world gets to share and embrace the stamps, coins, post cards and all collectibles here.



Thank you and enjoy!

Building of Vimanmek Mansion - February 3 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

Two hundred and twelve years later the gorgeous Vimanmek Mansion, the largest golden teakwood home in the world, is still one of the premier tourist attractions in Bangkok, Thailand.



The Vimanek Palace's creation in February of 1900 by Thailand's King Rama V is celebrated beautifully in one of Colnect's featured collectibles: the LENSO City of Culture Vimanek Palace Phone Card.



The world renowned mansion was constructed uniquely, without using a single nail with the golden teakwood. King Rama V built the Dusit Garden in between the Krungkasem canal and the Samsen canal and the Vimanek Mansion became its first permanent settlement, as King Rama V moved the royal family there.

This Thai baht phone card captures the essence of the innovative architecture found with the luxurious Vimanek Palace, which was renovated in 1982 to serve as a museum of Bangkok's culture and decadence. The phone card showcases the scarlet roof and the curvilinear golden wood walls amidst a glorious emerald lawn. The card itself is good for three hundred Thai baht worth of international calls.

The vast depths of Colnect's catalogs feature many rare, historic, and artistic artifacts in vogue with the Vimanek Palace phone card that is featured here today. Unique and amazing wonders of man's creation are celebrated for fun and, of course, for collecting.

Scout Phonecard Catalog: Meet Scoutmaster Tom Wolf [tomwolf]

Scouting is a worldwide youth movement and you can find young scouts all around the world. It is thus no wonder that scout themed phone cards are available from many different countries. Tom Wolf [tomwolf] has decided to create an extensive Scout Phonecard Catalog on Colnect. This impressive catalog now contains 660 different phone cards from 41 countries.

You are welcome to learn a bit about the man behind the catalog and join our greeting for taking such an endeavor.




"
My full name is Tom Wolf, I am 65 years old and I live in Sydney, Australia.
I was born in Budapest, Hungary and migrated with my family at the time of the revolution in 1956, arriving as an 11 year old child to Australia. I was educated here and went to the University of Sydney where I graduated with a Law Degree.
I still speak and write fluent Hungarian and I have now almost totally retired from work so as to enjoy traveling around the world. I am married with 3 grown up sons, sadly none of them are collectors.
I have many interests and somehow find time to enjoy all of them, I have a very advanced phonecard collection but I limit my collection to Australia and its near neighbour New Zealand as well as some European countries and Israel.
My late father was a stamp collector (mainly Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg - the "classical collection") and I find collecting to be a method of training the mind to be very organised, an asset I found useful in my profession. Apart from phonecards I also collect just about everything like cigarette cards and even matchbox labels but my real interest is phonecards.
Other than the Scout Phonecard Catalog I have been a regular contributor to Colnect, I am the original author of the Australian Catalog but unfortunately the collection of phonecards has almost disappeared here (just like in other countries).
Even at my age I remain an active Scout although I only got interested in this past-time in my mid 30's, but I still enjoy the outdoor and active way of life.
I am limited by ill health with coronary arterial problems (I have had a 4x bipass and a 2x bipass over the past 18 years).
Somehow, in addition to all the collecting I also find time to build and fly radio control model airplanes, I sail radio control sail boats, I build plank-on-plank model square-rig sailing ships and I mould from metal and then paint 25mm tin soldiers of the Battle of Waterloo, I have more than 800 infantry, 350 cavalry and 100 artillery pieces.
I guess all this explains why I stopped working about 3 years ago, it also means I get little sleep because in addition to all this I also try to keep all my contacts with friends and family all over the world on the internet, by email and Skype.
"



Thank you Tom for this lovely contribution to Colnect :)

30,003 Collectors Colnecting and Climbing!

The numbers are in, and the rapidly expanding archives at Colnect can now thank over
30,003 collectors for their contributions to the exciting site about all things collecting!



Though the world is filled with conscientious historians and just plain old fun loving collectors, there have been few outlets to bring together these people with similar interests. It is true that many purchase and sell their rare artifacts on various sites, but the digital auction house lacks the innovation that Colnect works hard to perfect: the connection.

Colnect has hundreds of thousands of stamps and other beautiful collectibles on a database that automatically translates languages from across the earth and allows people to exchange information about and trade their collections. There are often links to the items that can be found on eBay as well.

30,003 is a landmark number (as Colnect had 10,000 members in March of 2010), because you, the fans of collecting, have gathered here at Colnect to meet and expand the vast online catalog of collectible treasures in order to help each other to further enjoy the thrill of collecting. As you continue to upload the prestigious post cards, tea bags, beer coasters, coins, and more onto Colnect, a world-wide treasure map is being composed for all of its inhabitants to see and enjoy. It is also the people who help to make the catalogs better that deserve to take a bow. Thank you!