Collectibles shows a trove of hidden treasures

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/05/2022 (1588 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The collecting bug began for me in my youth, when I collected stamps, coins, comics, Mad magazines and hockey cards. In my teens I started collecting records, which led to collecting CDs and music memorabilia. I remember thinking of these treasures as my RRSPs: “Hang on to these items and they’ll be worth something some day.”

Turns out I was right.

When I lived in Vancouver in the ’90s I went to a lot of record shows where people were selling their music collectibles. Eventually I began renting tables and selling and trading pieces from my collection. It was safer behind the table, as going to the shows as a buyer became very costly (but always fun). When I moved back to Winnipeg in 2001, I started selling music collectibles at Rockin’ Richard’s Record Show which took place every spring and fall. Unfortunately, Richard passed away a few years ago and the shows stopped. A few collectors tried to fill the void, and then the pandemic hit and everything shut down.

Now that things are beginning to reopen, more shows are popping up. Most have been collectibles shows, featuring antiques, comics, old toys, action figures, records and music memorabilia. On July 3 there will be a record show at Centro Cabot Centre (1055 Wilkes Ave.) in honour of Rockin’ Richard Sturz.

As a vendor, I must say the shows this year have been an absolute success. Quite a few people have showed up, and there are lots of smiling faces.

As a collector, sometimes the chase is almost as good as the catch… hunting down and finding that long-sought-after treasure that completes a set or collection. Another aspect of collectibles shows is the excitement of being with and sharing stories with like-minded people.

One of the most recent shows I’ve done, the second annual Winnipeg Collectibles Show, was held at Canad Inns Garden City on April 24. In spite of snow and bad weather that day over 1,000 people showed up. (Collectors seem to be pretty hearty, diehard types of people.)

I spoke with organizer Wally Dorvault about the show. Wally started collecting comics at 11 years old when he was a paperboy. He and his family organized the Winnipeg Comic Show in 2016 at the Holiday Inn on Ellice Avenue. During the pandemic, Wally hooked up with Shelley Ostrove of Shelley Productions and they set up the first Winnipeg Collectible Show in November 2021 when things started opening up again. They are already planning a third show in September

If you would like to take part in the next show, contact Wally at anteaus_2005@msn.com