A collectible (or collectable) is a manufactured item designed for people to collect. Collectibles are specifically created for the purpose of collecting. In this respect, they are distinguishable from other subjects of collections, which may also include natural objects (e.g., butterflies) and objects manufactured for purposes other than collecting (e.g., stamps). However, sometimes objects designed for other purposes, such as toys, become so popular among collectors that they are later marketed specifically to that audience. Star Warsaction figures are a good example of this phenomenon.
The earliest collectibles were included as incentives with other products, such as cigarette cards in packs of cigarettes. Popular items developed a secondary market and sometimes became the subject of "collectible crazes". Eventually many collectible items came to be sold separately, instead of being used as marketing tools to increase the appeal of other products.
To encourage collecting, manufacturers often create an entire series of a given collectible, with each item differentiated in some fashion. Examples include sports cards depicting individual players, or different designs of beanie baby. Enthusiasts will often try to assemble a complete set of the available variations.
Dow Slides On Economic Fears Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:46:00 -0400 Stocks have fallen Thursday amid worries about the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average fell by more than 300 points. The slump is stocks Thursday followed an unexpected increase in the number of jobless claims. Bike Messengers Branch Out Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:31:00 -0400 The bike messenger business is changing. Electronic document transfer — especially for legal documents — has cut into the business. But now, high gas prices and new bikes that can carry bigger loads mean that bike messengers are branching into bigger deliveries. Boeing Machinists Reject Contract, Vote To Strike Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0400 Aircraft assembly workers at Boeing have voted to strike for an unprecedented second time in three years. But their contract has been extended 48 hours at the request of Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire and a federal mediator.