The 65th antique paper show is all about memorable items and documents, nostalgia, postcards, rare books, photography, movie star posters and old collectibles - just to mention a few. This extravaganza is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 4 to 5, 2014, at the XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
Considered the largest show of its kind in the Northeast, Papermania Plus boasts the finest grouping of more than 140 quality dealers from throughout the East Coast states, Michigan, Ohio, and Canada, with the “hottest” collectibles from A to Z: advertisements, Beatles, comics, Disney, Elvis and framed prints to maps, magazines, rare books, stamps, sheet music, tins, vintage valentines, World War ephemera and advertisement signs. It’s the largest show of its kind running continuously since 1976 at the same location, now called the Hartford XL Center.
Gary Gipstein of Wethersfield, Conn., show producer and an avid collector himself, said “Papermania is a fun show for new collectors, old nostalgic collectors and for serious collectors young at heart.” Buy Back a Memory continues to be the show theme.
Mr. Gipstein pointed out, “A show of this sort is like an invitation to an old-fashioned swap session...you know, the kind where kids (and adults) have ‘tradesies; for a chance to pick up a Topps Baseball Card of Ted Williams or a movie star Dixie Cup premium of Katherine Hepburn. You can also search for a mint copy of the first Superman comic book, an 8-inch by 10-inch glossy of Marilyn Monroe or Civil War picture, World War II insignias and combat ribbons. There are stereo view cards, stock certificates and many kinds of eccentricities of interest to everyone. And on Sunday only, January 5, there will be free appraisals, up to 5 items in all categories, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.”
Unique paper collectibles such as family games, postcards, and prints or rare books will be available at this show, and prices can start as low as 50 cents to $5,000. Popular are any items bearing the likeness of Mickey Mouse and Disney characters. Political buttons, posters, and bumper stickers are available, from George Washington to Barack Obama. Movie star and comic premiums, buttons and posters; 18th-century documents; 19th-century broadsides; advertising trade cards; and celebrity autographs will also be available. Early railroad ephemera, train schedules, pictures and promotional items will be presented.
Papermania hours are set for Saturday, Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $8.
Please note: Senior citizens and college students are invited at half price on Sunday only. Also, celebrity guest appraiser Gary Sohmers of the Emmy nominated PBS-TV program “Antiques Roadshow” will be available to appraise pop culture, collectibles and toys. Next show date is the Summer Show, Aug. 23 to 24, 2014.
For more information, contact show manager Arlene Shea at 860-563-9975 or visit www.papermaniaplus.com.