Above the Mantel 004

Happy Holidays, Collectors, 

Based on posts we’re seeing on Mantel, many in our community were visited by Santa Collectibles this past week (groan). We love seeing the gifts gotten and given, so keep posting!

While we too unwrapped a few boxes of wax over the holidays, the most appreciated gift was a copy of Matt Hranek’s book, A Man & His Car, which, much like his first book, A Man & His Watch, is a love note to collectibles and the stories behind the objects we all cherish. The book features names like Shaq, Jay Leno, and Snoop Dogg talking about the favorite cars in their collections, from Ferrari 208 GT4s to Fiat Panda 30s, accompanied by beautiful photography. A joy to read and peruse. 

Collector’s Item

Last week we went to a neighbor’s for a holiday party, and knowing there’d be a handful of kids attending, showed up with boxes of cards to give out (2023 Allen & Ginter, 2023 Topps Holiday, and 2023 Pokemon Paradox Rift, for those interested). 

The cards were a massive hit, and it was a move we’ll replicate if we get the nod again next year.

The kids piled onto a sofa and ripped packs, eagerly showing each other every card, craning their necks to see what everyone else pulled. A few sprinted home to grab their card binders, and then they reassembled to trade and show off their collections. 

Some of the older kids pulled up databases to check values, but the focus was mostly on favorite players or the coolest cards. Trades were made without hand-wringing. Cards were handled without white gloves. Big kids showed little kids how to get cards in penny sleeves. Pure fun and excitement. 

It was a good reminder of why we all like collecting to begin with. If you spend enough time around these hobbies, you’ll encounter plenty of people who don’t seem to be having fun. Interactions are often filled with snark, trolling, gate-keeping, and an overall seriousness that conflicts with the definition of “hobby.”

But that isn’t the case with kids, and it was a great reminder of why collecting is so much fun in the first place. In 2024 we want to harness that feeling and make sure Mantel is a place that focuses on the fun and passion of collecting, leaving the bitterness behind in 2023. 

Penny Thoughts

• We recommend you take 40 minutes and watch this @matttt video on the rise, fall, and re-rise of Todd McFarlane, creator of the comic book series, Spawn. The video has it all: comics, art, toys, lawsuits, Mark McGwire’s record-breaking home run ball, former NHL player Tony Twist, Neil Gaiman, and bankruptcy. Did we mention lawsuits? 

• To our knowledge, McFarlane never created a comic featuring Barbra Streisand, but if he did, we know of one collector who would have scooped it up. Over 60 years, Louis Papalas assembled what is likely the largest Barbra Streisand collection, totaling 50,000-100,000 items (a wide range, we know). After he passed away his daughter inherited it all, and she’s been cataloging six storage units worth of records, posters, toys, and more since. Papalas’ family hopes to sell the collection in its entirety to another Funny Girl-obsessive. Interested? The article includes the woman’s phone number and email address so Babs collectors can get in touch. 

Mantel Update

Things are starting to heat up at Mantel HQ as we prepare for an official launch in early 2024.

If you’re reading this, you are a Day One supporter, and we can’t thank you enough. Know anyone else who would dig Mantel? Let us know, and we’ll get them into the MVP. And please pass along our newsletter (folks can sign up by visiting https://mantel.beehiiv.com/). 

2024 is going to be a big, big year for Mantel, and we’re thankful you are part of the community.