Save Millennium Memorabilia?
Like it or not, the millennium is coming and so is a deluge of products trying to capitalize on it.
The Saturday Early Show's Collectibles Expert Tony Hyman, author of Trash or Treasure: Guide to Buyers, explores their possible value.
You'll see millennium T-shirts, mugs, placemats, calendars and figurines galore. These Y2K bugs can take over your living room!
All sorts of product purveyors will undoubtedly follow M&M's lead in declaring items the official something or other of the new millennium.
Will all this stuff be a good investment? After all, a millennium doesn't come around all too often.
The year 1900 arrived, accompanied by some collectibles, and few people seemed to care. The bicentennial experience perhaps serves as the best predictor. In 1976 tons of items were issued to commemorate America's 200th birthday, and those items are still languishing unwanted after 25 years.
If you're in your teens and want to buy some of this stuff, try a little experiment: Put together a selection of millennium toys and other products, and especially ephemera such as ads, signs, wrappers, boxes - anything you find interesting.
Put them in a sturdy cardboard box, seal it well and on the outside print: "To be opened by me, Jan. 1, 2050." That's about when this junk might have some value.
Find out about other collectibles described by The Saturday Early Show's Tony Hyman in the Collectibles Archive or visit Tony Hyman's Web site.
If you think you have a collectible worth a lot of cash, send an email to sat@cbsnews.com and put "What's It Worth?" in the subject line. Or write to "What's It Worth?" The Saturday Early Show, 514 West 57th St., 6th floor, New York, N.Y. 10019.
Because of the volume of mail received, The Saturday Early Show can't respond to all requests, but some will be selected and featured on the program in the near future.
Elizabeth Pensoneau inspired this segment