LBJ Trolls with a "Decision" and Ilona Maher Flexes for Barbie

Collectors, old school technology is back en vogue for who the Wall Street Journal calls “Young People”.

Because whatever is considered ‘retro’ eventually becomes cool again, and many Gen Zers are fighting back against an addiction to technology by using ‘dumb’ phones and snapping photos with film cameras, early 2000s tech is making a comeback.

Will this trend eventually have an impact on the collectibles market, given a whole new generation is developing a love for obsolete technology?

Who’s to say, but we do want to warn anyone from Gen Z reading this… if you come upon “old school” tech that’s still sealed, don’t touch it. We’d hate to see you erase massive resale value in an attempt to avoid using Spotify.

cllct: LeBron James Trolls World with Hennessy Ad — But Are Those Bottles Really Collectible?

LeBron James’ latest “Decision” turned out to be a marketing play: a new Hennessy “LeBron James V.S.O.P” cognac bottle, pitched as a “limited edition” collectible. First, let’s applaud James for the troll… most hoop heads were predicting a retirement announcement. But our focus is on collecting, so the question has to be asked— are these new cognac bottles collectible? Thankfully Darren Rovell has an answer: Hennessy hasn’t said how limited the release actually is, nor created any chase elements like autographed bottles or variants. And last year’s “very special” LeBron bottles launched at $53.99 and now resell for less, full of cognac, so for anyone hoping this would be a true collectible, this “Decision” is likely more hype than heritage.

The Athletic: U.S. Rugby Star Ilona Maher Honored with Barbie Doll

Ilona Maher, the most-followed rugby player on social media, is getting her own Barbie as part of Mattel’s new “Team Barbie” collection debuting in 2026. Joining Ellie Kildunne, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and Nassira Konde, Maher’s doll will feature an athletic build and visible muscle definition, a first for Barbie. The release aligns with International Day of the Girl and aims to counter body confidence issues that cause many girls to drop out of sports by 14. For collectors, this marks a notable crossover of sports, pop culture, and Barbie’s evolving representation of female athletes.

Mantel: Vintage Slab Wars: Comparing PSA, SGC, CGC, and BGS for Vintage

In the “Vintage Slab Wars” from Matt Felumlee, four grading giants — PSA, SGC, CGC, and Beckett — are judged purely on the slabs themselves: design, form, clarity, safety, and archival quality. SGC’s tuxedo look wins on vintage aesthetics, but its bulky size and lack of innovation hold it back. Beckett offers weight and edge visibility, yet feels clunky. CGC shines with unmatched clarity and sleek modern engineering, though its slabs are sometimes seen as too contemporary. PSA balances size, safety, and archival strength. Spoiler Alert Verdict: PSA edges out the competition, with CGC close behind. Do you agree? Let us know over on Mantel.

SCD: Why Your Sports Collection Needs to Be Part of an Estate Plan

This is top of mind for me, because I have a 3-month-old at home and I need to make sure I protect my assortment of sports broadcaster autographs and their combined $376 in value for her future. See, when collectors pass away, their prized sports cards and memorabilia often become a burden for heirs unfamiliar with value, liquidation, or even what’s in the basement boxes. Without a clear estate plan, families risk disputes, missed opportunities, or valuable items going in the trash. Experts stress cataloguing collections with photos, appraisals, and contact info for trusted dealers or auction houses, and attaching a detailed memorandum to a will. Left unchecked, insurance gaps, market swings, and family squabbles can turn a lifetime of collecting into chaos.

Hodinkee: Mercedes Gleitze’s 1927 Rolex Oyster Comes Up For Auction For The First Time In 25 Years

For the first time in 25 years, Mercedes Gleitze’s Rolex Oyster from her famed 1927 “Vindication Swim” is heading to auction at Sotheby’s Geneva on November 9. Gleitze, the first British woman to cross the English Channel, wore the watch on a ribbon around her neck during her attempts, proving Rolex’s waterproof case in real time. The feat launched Rolex’s legend, with the Oyster becoming “the watch that defied the Channel.” Gleitze went on to be Rolex’s first testimonee, decades before brand ambassadors were a thing. Now, this historically significant timepiece, arguably the birth certificate of the Oyster, returns to the market, carrying nearly a century of lore.

NYT: The Dinosaur Sale Is Not a Joke

A New Jersey dinosaur theme park is closing and its 31 animatronic dinosaurs, from a $1,260 stegosaurus to a 75-foot apatosaurus priced at $2,860, are hitting Facebook Marketplace. The quirky sale has gone viral, with collectors, families, and even scientists eyeing the life-size foam-and-latex beasts, many of which roar, move, and plug into standard outlets. While the park’s owner hopes an institution will buy the full herd, plenty of would-be buyers are dreaming about installing a T. rex in the backyard or taunting their HOA with a triceratops. Prefer to own a real dinasour but don’t have the space? Rally will be auctioning off shares for a Barosaurus skeleton later this month.