How to Collect Vintage TV Memorabilia

The early days of television were perhaps more fascinating than even the early days of the Internet. The television industry was initially populated by personalities that were colorful, creative and often slightly bizarre. Television's impact is still being debated because it has become so all pervasive. All of these factors makes the collecting of vintage television memorabilia not only interesting but evocative as well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Purchase a history of early television to use as a guide to your collecting. In addition to your own memories and specific interests, this will add direction to your collecting.
2. Decide if you want a theme for your collection. Possible themes could include television comedies, variety shows, live dramas, sports events, quiz shows, news shows, science fiction, specific television networks, or specific television stations.
3. Explore some of the general websites devoted to television memorabilia. Do some "window shopping."
4. Explore the major auction sites like eBay and look through the general category of television memorabilia.
5. Focus on specific television shows. For example, pick a show like "I Love Lucy" and check out Internet sites that specifically sell memorabilia related to that show.
6. Explore the category of old televisions themselves. There were some unusual looking models of "the tube."
7. Add episodes from the era of vintage television to your collection of memorabilia. There is an ever increasing library of commercially available DVDs and tapes of early television.