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TOEFL Directory > TOEFL writing > 22. Collectibles
22. Collectibles
Collectibles have been a part of almost every culture since ancient
times. Whereas some objects have been collected for their usefulness,
others have been selected for their aesthetic beauty alone. In the
United States, the kinds of collectibles currently popular range from
traditional objects such as stamps, coins, rare books, and art to more
recent items of interest like dolls, bottles, baseball cards, and comic
books.
Interest in collectibles has increased enormously during the past
decade, in part because some collectibles have demonstrated their value
as investments. Especially during cycles of high inflation, investors
try to purchase tangibles that will at least retain their current market
values. In general, the most traditional collectibles will be sought
because they have preserved their value over the years, there is an
organized auction market for them, and they are most easily sold in the
event that cash is needed. Some examples of the most stable collectibles
are old masters, Chinese ceramics, stamps, coins, rare books, antique
jewelry, silver, porcelain, art by well-known artists, autographs, and
period furniture. Other items of more recent interest include old
photograph records, old magazines, post cards, baseball cards, art
glass, dolls, classic cars, old bottles, and comic books. These
relatively new kinds of collectibles may actually appreciate faster as
short-term investments, but may not hold their value as long-term
investments. Once a collectible has had its initial play, it appreciates
at a fairly steady rate, supported by an increasing number of
enthusiastic collectors competing for the limited supply of collectibles
that become increasingly more difficult to locate.
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