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Hi! I am Melinda, and I am a rabid Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movie memorabilia collector. (Sounds like the beginning of a twelve step program, eh?) Lately, though, I find I am just a rabid collector...period...of anything, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer (mostly the latter!), and though the collections grow, the house does not. It's time for a major housecleaning.
In case you are wondering, Springlering is a dance beloved by Hobbits.
First off, if you have a problem with one of my auctions, all I ask is that you please email me and explain the problem. I can generally work something out, but only if I am aware there is a problem. In other words, I am not an Orc, and assume you aren't, either. I am a very reasonable person, and just ask that you be reasonable in return.
Secondly, here's something every eBayer should know. eBay has had a bunch of changes lately, the strangest of which is the new feedback system. DON'T GO BY EBAY'S 12 MONTH ROLLING FEEDBACK!!!! Use your fingers instead, and go to www.toolhaus.org, a free site where you can look up any Ebay user's entire history. A seller like me, who has nearly 9,000 feedbacks, with a grand total of nine negatives, can have yo-yo feedback.For example, in the past twelve months I have gone from 98.8 to 96 to 100% feedback- and I haven't even used the site! On the other hand, an unscrupulous seller can reactivate a dormant account with terrible feedback, and you won't know it unless you check the entire history. Do your wallet and your collector's heart a favor and check your seller out!
Now, on to the fun stuff.....
In December of 2001, friends dragged me to see a movie. I don't like movies, and, although I am a voracious reader, I had never even heard of Tolkien, much less a Hobbit.
I didn't like the movie I saw. It left me utterly confused. But, my then 11 year old daughter was completely smitten, and begged me to take her back again so she could see "that elf". Damn. That'll be another three hours wasted in a theatre, I thought to myself. But I caved in.
On the second viewing, something in my brain snapped. I got it, and I loved it!!!!!
A couple of days later, I had managed to get a few action figures, and the complete Burger King set. I had also devoured the entire trilogy,and begun rereading it, reading nonstop- at meals, in the tub, in bed, at my desk at work.
I mentioned to my husband, "Gee, I sure would like a poster for this movie". He suggested I try Ebay. (He's probably real sorry about that now! The man is an absolute saint. He takes patience to a whole new level.)
My personal collection now includes over 5,000 movie related items from nearly forty countries, and another 2,000+ clippings. Special treasures include everything from a poster off the side of a Hong Kong bus, to a very rare and very beautiful set of Thai movie banners, baked beans and margarine tubs from the UK, cast brass bells from Russia, executive golf balls, malt balls and perfume bottles from Spain..... gosh, everything I look at is special, and a treasure, even more so because I remember the people that went through such efforts to get some of them for me.
Thanks so much to all the people that have put up with me, traded with me, shared tears, happiness, frustrations, photos of the kids and pets, and most of all, their hearts and even their homes. Thanks to Krystyna, Brian C, Adele, Lou, Kat, Nancy, Sue, Shurwitz, Teri, Brad, Jan, Wendy, Toady, Lee, Martina, Vampy, Julie, Sanne, Matthias, Brian & Suzie, Bailo, Felix & Luisa, Karine, Teresa, Theresa, Angie, Alan G, Bailo, Aum, Saksiri, Lilian, Ricardo, Tina, Rafal, and Ken, and everyone else.
Extra special supersized thanks to Kathy, Andre and Julie. I can't thank you three enough. Please visit my
Lord of the Rings
collection at my eponymous emporium :
Springlering Lord of the Rings Virtual Museum
I specialize in rare LOTR press material, Eaglemoss Collectors Models, jewelry, ephemera, and rare consumer products.
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