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EcommerceBytes-Update, Number 29 - January 06, 2001 - ISSN 1528-6703
Collector's Corner
1) Sci-Fi - Dr. Who
By Michele Alice
Quick! What is larger on the inside than it is on the outside and looks like a British police box? If you did not guess a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space), where have you been for the last 38 years?
Premiering on the 23rd of November in 1963, the BBC series Dr. Who followed the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, who traversed time and space interfering, for the good, in the affairs of other races, usually ours. As a Time Lord, the Doctor possessed two hearts, was long-lived, and was capable of regeneration (acquiring a new body) when the old had become worn or injured. So far, there have been eight Doctors. His limit is twelve.
The highly imaginative series was cancelled by the BBC in 1989, but its popularity by that time had spread around the globe, generating legions of fans both within and without the United Kingdom. Like the characters in Star Trek, the Doctor had taken on a life of his own-in reruns, in books, and in fandom. And though Dr. Who had continued to prove itself a merchandising powerhouse, speculation regarding a TV series revival or a major motion picture remained just that. (A British made-for-TV movie introducing the eighth Doctor in 1996 did not lead to further activity on the part of the BBC, to the disappointment of fans.) When, in 1998, the program was voted "the most popular drama series ever produced by the BBC" (Dr. Who: Regeneration, by Philip Segal and Gary Russell), the BBC found itself in an embarrassing position and redoubled its efforts to develop it as a U.S. co-production. Fans await any official announcement regarding progress in that area.
I have been a fan of the Doctor since first seeing the program on our local PBS station in the early 1980's, so there was no surprise at the number of Dr. Who-related items up for auction on eBay tonight (249 items on 01.06.01). Though most of the auction items are books, there are quite a few other items no self-respecting fan would want to be without, from models and action figures to keychains and pinball machines. A perusal of completed auctions (972) revealed particular interest in Mego action figures (up to $56 for MIB), Virgin publisher paperbacks (a lot of 10 in mint and near-mint condition went for $162), and a 1965 movie poster (Dr. Who and the Daleks) that sold for $505!
For much more information regarding the past, present, and future of the Dr. Who universe, you might wish to consult the following sources:
THE WEB
The Official BBC Site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho
The Sonic Screwdriver: THE Premiere List of Doctor Who related Web Sites on the Internet http://www.kasterborus.demon.co.uk
Outpost Gallifrey: This was consistently rated by most other sites as one of the best, if not THE best, sources of information (and I agree). Home of the Doctor Who News Page. http://www.gallifreyone.com/index.htm
Dr. Who Merchandise News: Announcements, reviews, forum http://www.whonews.fsnet.co.uk
Sci-Fi Collectibles Cyberstore: One of the largest-everything from action figures to watches, from Area 51 to Dr. Who to Star Trek. Lots of stuff that I didn't know existed! You can even send free sci-fi postcards to your friends!
http://www.800-trekker.com
BOOKS
Doctor Who: The Television Companion, by David Howe and Stephen Walker
Synopses of every episode, and lots more.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0563405880/1312/026-2441911-1423636
Doctor Who: Regeneration, by Philip Segal and Gary Russell
Chronicles ongoing struggle by BBC to co-produce a new Dr. Who motion picture.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007105916/auctionbytescom
Howe's Transcendental Toybox, by David Howe and Arnold Blumberg
A comprehensive guide to Dr. Who collectibles released from 1963 through 1999.
~http://homepages.which.net/~howe/merch.htm
2) Toy Resources
By Ina Steiner
*Every second, two BARBIE dolls are sold somewhere in the world.
*MR. POTATO HEAD was the first toy product ever advertised on television.
*WalMart is the top U.S. retailer of traditional toys, with an estimated 17.4 share of U.S. toy industry dollars.
These are just a few of the facts about toys that you can find at the Web site of the Toy Manufacturers of America http://www.toy-tma.org/sitemap.html. Check it out for yourself!
Toys Trade Show
New York City will host the American International Toy Fair on February 11, 2001. (This is for trade only-retailers, wholesalers, importers and buying groups; no children allowed.) Speakers include Michael Hawley of MIT's Media Lab talking about toys of the future; Barrett LaMothe Ladd of Gomez Advisors talking about Internet toy retailers, and Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing talking about the collectibles business.
3) Stamp Course for Hobbyists
By Ina Steiner
The APS Summer Seminar on Philately will be held June 24 through June 28, in State College, Pennsylvania
Three returning popular courses are "Detecting Fakes, Forgeries, and Altered Stamps," taught by Dr. Varro E. Tyler, "Stamp Technology" with Wayne Youngblood, and "Revenues" with Richard Friedberg.
The three new courses are Proofs, Essays and Philatelic Literature taught by James Lee, Philatelist's Progress focusing on the fun side of philately by Bill Welch, and Stamp Camp - Reaching Out to Kids with Exhibiting by Cheryl Edgcomb.
Students choose one major course out of the six offerings, and attend classes in that major each day. Students may also select from a variety of afternoon elective classes. The 2001 elective classes will include Ken Lawrence's "Cheap Tricks for Expertizing Expensive Stamps." The resources of the APS headquarters are available to all students, including the American Philatelic Research Library, the Sales Division, and the Reference Collection of the American Philatelic Expertizing Service. The Mt. Nittany Philatelic Society also will sponsor its annual stamp show, SCOPEX, over the opening weekend of the Summer Seminar.
Courses are limited to 20 students each. Classes will be held at the Atherton Hotel located in downtown State College, Pennsylvania, and at the nearby APS headquarters. Tuition for the Seminar, which includes all course materials, daily break food service, and three dinners, is $395. Lodging is not included; however, there are many housing options available, in all price ranges.
Registrations are accepted beginning February 1, 2001. More details can be found at http://www.stamps.org/Education/edu_SummerSeminar.htm.
4) SciFi Discussion Lists
By Ina Steiner
Visit http://clik.to/sf if you are interested in joining a discussion group for sci fi addicts! For example, here's a general list: SciFi_Discussion@Topica.com. They talk about anything related to Science Fiction:
"What's your Favorite SF Book/Author/Movie? Or least favorite? You might meet others who agree or disagree with you but we're all here to have Fun! If you have a story idea and want to run it past the group, that's fine. But please, Do Not join the list to publicize your own work. There are advertising resources for that. On this list you are welcome to discuss the story ideas but Blatant Self Promotion will get you removed." To Join: Send an email to SciFi_Discussion-subscribe@Topica.com
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