Collecting mermaids -- tips and tricks

Why collect mermaids? Mermaids have been a popular image since antiquity, appearing in heraldry, art, literature, and the media. Although mermaids are commonly thought to be an artifact of folklore, mermaid sightings still occur to this day. This makes mermaids a popular item to collect.

If you can think of it, you can probably find a mermaid on it. Look around, you might be surprised where a mermaid for your collection might turn up. And of course, once word of your collection gets around, all your friends and family will bring you mermaid items "because I just thought of you." Watch your collection grow fast.

Some items you might encounter when shopping for vintage mermaid collectibles include:

• Florida souvenirs. If you have visited Weeki Wachee in Florida, you have souvenirs. T-shirts, paperweights, and postcards are the most common pieces.
• Decals by Meyercord.
• Ceramic wall pockets by Norcrest of Japan, and Lefton of Japan.
• Matchcovers. Still popular to collect even when smoking is banned in many places. Many antique matchcovers feature mermaid logos.
• Postcards. Printed on linen paper, these were very popular in the 1930s through the 1950s.

When buying and selling mermaid, bear in mind these three factors:

• Know what you're buying before you buy it. Check reference guides for information on how the piece in question is marked, what sizes it was available in, any variants in painting or colours that you should know about?
• Condition: Is it mint condition? Is it unused? Any chips, cracks, crazing, or obvious damage? A mint complete set of an older item is rare. Ceramic mermaids may be individual, or may come in sets of two or more mermaids with bubbles.
• Demand: Popular items sell for proportionally higher prices simply because there are more potential buyers.

As to where to go, try any of the following:

• Estate sales
• Yard sales
• Flea markets
• Antique stores
• Thrift stores
• Classified ads

Even if you aren't interested in vintage kitsch, there are plenty of modern mermaid decor ideas for every taste and household!

• Mermaid books.
• Mermaid films, especially older films featuring Lenore and Miranda.
• Mermaid divination decks.
• Merchandise featuring iconic logos such as the Chicken of the Sea Mermaid or the Starbucks Mermaid.
• Stock your home bar with mermaid drink recipes.
• If you like DIY, try out some mermaid craft ideas to make your own mermaid decor.
• True merphiles should visit these mermaid destinations for souvenirs featuring mermaids.

And if you still haven't had enough mermaids, how about some mermaid jokes?

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