I have
been collecting Oz items to some degree since I was about two; I began actively collecting around the age of seven.
When I was little I collected things that you would expect a child to: Color books, puzzles, storybooks, action figures,
etc. It was Christmas of 1996 when the "collecting bug" bit. I remember unwrapping my first real Oz collectible;
it was a music box from The San Francisco Music Box Company, of course, it was the Scarecrow. I also got the 1974 Cadco
Wizard of Oz Board Game. From then on my mom and I would go to antique malls and collectible shops searching for fascinating
Oz items. My grandma was also a big help. I always looked forward to Christmas when I would unwrap Oz gifts that
she had picked up while traveling across the country. Besides antique stores, I also find items on Ebay and at Oz events,
collectors' meets, and auctions.
To date, my collection is nearing 1,000 items (if not more). At
last count, which was about 2 years ago, I had over 900 items. My collection consists mostly of vintage items. I
do not care for much of the merchandise that is produced today. Some of my favorite items include: The complete
set of Mego playsets; complete set of Swift and Co. Peanut Spread jars/glasses; including the elusive Wicked Witch;
autographs by several of the surviving Munchkins; every American home video release of the MGM film, and a book collection
of over 150.
As much I
would love to create pages detailing all the Oz memorabilia that has been produced over the years, it is just not possible
(mostly for reasons of time and space on the site). In the future, I hope to add a "Spotlight" section where I will
feature particularly rare or interesting Oz collectibles. I love to discuss collectibles, so feel free to contact me
about your exciting finds or if you need any collecting advice.
