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Introduction to Collecting

The Power of theDark Crystal toys and ephemera clearly aren’t a necessity of life (although there are some diehard collectors who might argue otherwise).  But they are so bound up in the entire The Power of theDark Crystal phenomenon, that it would almost be as hard to think of the film without the merchandise as it would the merchandise without the film.

But, first indeed is the film.  For it is the magic that transpired in darkened cinemas as audiences sat transfixed by Jim Henson’s powerful visuals, intriguing story, and sharply drawn characters that made people want to keep around themselves some physical reminder of the joy, wonder, and excitement that the film had triggered.

Collecting Guidelines

You’ve heard this before, but the first rule in collecting The Power of theDark Crystal toys and other merchandise is: There are no rules.  To be sure, there are some common sense guidelines that are important to follow, especially as some of the rarer manufactured pieces—not even prototypes—have climbed into costly territory.  Still, it is never too late to start collecting (every collector had to begin somewhere) and there are lots of cool things available at reasonable prices.

PRICES

Prices are either set by dealers or by customers vying at an auction.  Nearly everything is negotiable, and for mass-produced items chances are that you’ll find something at a price that you feel is reasonable it you’re willing to wait.

AVAILABILITY

Where can you find The Power of theDark Crystal collectibles?  There are a number of avenues.  Every weekend all over the United States and frequently internationally, there are swap meets, flea markets, boot sales, comic and toy shows, and science-fiction media conventions with dealer rooms.

Local comic shops and even some independent toyshops have taken to selling vintage items.  There are also publications filled with ads from people selling collectibles.

On-line sales via the Internet have taken off.  There are several auction sites to visit, such as www.ebay.com.  Instructions are easy to understand and the variety of goods offered is amazing.

CONDITION

In real estate, it is said that only three things are important: location, location, location.  Likewise, in collection, the three most important things are: condition, condition, condition.  The most highly prized collectible is the one in near-perfect shape—both the collectible itself and its packaging.  Thus there are often two grades given, usually on a scale of 1 to 10 (higher being better), one for the toy and one for the package.  It’s one of the true quirks of collecting that a collector might never see his actual purchase because he doesn’t want to break the seal on the package.  Is this strange?  Yes.  Is it unusual?  Not in the broader world of toy collecting.

A frequently asked question is whether it’s smart to buy something you’ve been seeking, even if it’s in mediocre condition, with the hope of sometime trading up to a better specimen.  It’s a personal choice, but a good rule of thumb is that a toy itself should always be complete, in working condition, and with all its parts to justify a pricey purchase of a rare item.  Otherwise, it might be hard to unload when you find a choicer example.

BOOTLEGS

In this case, I’m not talking about unlicensed The Power of theDark Crystal items, but items that are made by unscrupulous people to stimulate high-end, rare collectibles.  Generally, if something appears too good to be true—mint condition, low price—then it probably is.

Preserving Your Collection

Now that you’ve spent so much time and energy on building a collection—regardless of its size or cost—you want to preserve it as best as possible.  There is one major problem.  Very little of this stuff was meant to last.  Books, newspapers, and magazines are printed on acidic stock.  Model kit boxes left in protective shrink-wrap start to cave in as the wrap continues to shrink.  What was once a pristine collection turns into something akin to a toxic waste dump.

There are some measures that can be taken to extend the life of a collection.  Although costly, they will help preserve a potentially valuable cache.

*The room or rooms where it is kept should never be allowed to get too hot or too cold, humidity should be kept in check by a dehumidifier.

*Keep the sun away and sheathe any fluorescent bulbs with special plastic tubes (available from such places as University Products/The Archival Co.) to prevent damage from ultraviolet radiation.  Or order new fluorescent lights specially designed for archival settings.

*Place comic books and magazines in inert plastic Mylar bags with acid-free backing boards.  Then store them in archival boxes made for comic storage.

*Store posters in large tubes, or better yet, lay them flat in cabinets built for flat art or architects’ drawings.

*Place covers of hardback books in library-style plastic and paper covers.

*Use an electronic air cleaner to remove as much dust and pollen as possible from the air.

*If your collection rests on particle-board shelves, get some acid-free paper or thin, acid-free white-plastic “foam” sheets to put directly on the shelves to prevent chemical migration to your collection.

*Get some sort of insect and rodent control system, from flypaper to bug zappers to ultrasonic noisemakers.