Collectors Hunt for Obamabilia Treasures

Experts struggle to pick future keepers from sea of merchandise

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 17, 2009 1:50 AM CST

(Newser) – Collectors are sifting through a sea of Barack Obama memorabilia searching for items that will be the gems of the future instead of tomorrow's junk, the Washington Post reports. Vast quantities of knick-knacks, ranging from dancing presidential dolls to Obama mints, have left even experts stumped about what to buy.

Over 25,000 Obamabilia items are for sale on eBay, but many serious collectors are either holding off on buying anything for a few months, or looking in less obvious places. "You could go back to his state career or his career in Congress and you can probably get some good items," said one expert. "I'd be looking around flea markets."

A Barack Obama action figure is for sale in Washington at last month's InauguralFest, a nine-day, traveling tribute to presidential history. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A vendor sells inauguration buttons with the images of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Keika Albarado holds and wears Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama merchandise at a Honolulu clothing store. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

Merchandise with the image of then President-elect Barack Obama on it is for sale at the vendor stand of Cornelius Williams, in Washington last year. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Carmen Jones displays the most popular T-shirt that she is selling from her roadside stand in the Liberty City section of Miami last month. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)

A Barack Obama bobblehead doll is for sale in the window of a souvenir shop near the White House late last year. (Getty Images)

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Collectors Hunt for Obamabilia Treasures

Experts struggle to pick future keepers from sea of merchandise

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Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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