The Collectible for Everyone: 3 Reasons Why Scrapbooks Rule

Old scrapbooks always tug at my heartstrings, but I’ve never been able to fully explain why. There’s just something about a good scrapbook, with its whiffs of nostalgia and its personalized style, that makes me want to keep on turning those pages.

I was thrilled when our own Danna Crawford found a terrific set of scrapbooks at Our Famous Flea Market in Hamburg, NY, this past October. It gave us the chance to discuss why scrapbooks are so fascinating. Whether you’re looking for a unique item to collect or trying to spice up your own online store, scrapbooks always deserve a second look.

Wanna know why? You’re in luck! Here are the top 3 reasons why scrapbooks are worth buying and selling:

1. Famous faces: Scrapbooks are extra alluring to potential buyers if they contain famous faces. Whether you’re a movie fanatic, history buff, or admirer of the Royal family, scrapbooks have serious appeal.
2. Awesome ephemera: Most scrapbooks include more than just photos cut from magazines or newspapers. They also contain all kinds of cool paper collectibles, like ticket stubs, programs, advertisements, and more. If you’re a fan of any type of paper ephemera, you can probably find something you enjoy in the right scrapbook.
3. Big personality: What’s more thrilling than cool paper finds and photographs? A scrapbook that has a real sense of personality! I love it when a scrapbook bears the mark of its maker. A good scrapbook conjures up a clear mental picture of whoever put it together, carefully cutting the edges of magazine photos and meticulously arranging each souvenir on the page. Scrapbooks have a delightfully nostalgic appeal because they make us feel for the ordinary folks who made them. While it’s fun to see celebrity photos and newspaper clippings, it’s even more endearing to consider the people who cared enough about that material to save it. That’s what gives each scrapbook its own unique value.

As you may be able to tell from this list, there’s one more big reason why scrapbooks are such a great item, and that’s their remarkably wide appeal. Because scrapbooks can contain just about anything, they can catch the eye of just about anyone, from history enthusiasts and Kennedy devotees to cinema lovers and paper collectors. No matter what you’re into, it’s worth your time to peruse the stack of scrapbooks that you’re sure to stumble upon at your next flea market. You never know what kinds of goodies might be inside!

Wanna check out the awesome scrapbooks we found in Hamburg? Head on over to the WorthPoint YouTube channel to see them! And if you’re suddenly itching to go shopping for a scrapbook of your own, join us on the next WorthPoint Treasure Hunt. Each Treasure Hunt is led by eBay all-star Danna Crawford, who can give you the lowdown on all the items worth buying and selling. All you need to do is register (it’s free!). We’ll see you there!

In addition to her role as HIP’s curator of photography, Allison Radomski is a writer and  filmmaker.  She spends her days hunting for analog cameras, scoring her own movies in her laundry closet, and building her collections of Polaroids and handkerchiefs. She has degrees in cinema & media studies and religious studies from the University of Chicago. 

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