Every geek has that one treasure in their collection that stands out above the rest. While most of us don’t have a forgotten comic book cache worth millions of dollars hiding in a basement, we do have geeky things that we consider invaluable.
Last year GeekMom Ellen told you about her geeky treasures; read on for a list of what the rest of us GeekMoms covet, and tell us about the crown jewel of your geek collection in the comments below!
Melissa: My Marriage Proposal
Mine is easy. Would have to be my marriage proposal from my husband Scott–a two-page Batman/Catwoman mini-comic penciled by Mike Parobeck. I shrieked. And said yes. 🙂
[Editor’s note: Melissa’s husband is longtime DC editor and writer Scott Peterson.]
Kelly: Photo with Mark Hamill
One year I was lucky enough to attend the San Diego Comic-Con, and even luckier to go to my company’s party near the convention center. I spotted Mark Hamill walk in to the venue, and I just about passed out. My friend walked up to Mark, steered him in my direction, and said, “Mark! Long time no see! I have someone I want you to meet.” (Did he know Mark Hamill? Nope. Best strategy ever.)
Luke Skywalker, er, Mark Hamill gamely walked over and shook my hand, and stood for 10 seconds to pose for a picture. You can see in the photo that I was so awestruck that I took a terrible picture. I was in the middle of saying. “Nice to meet y-” and click! Mark made a break for it before I could ask for a do-over. Ah, well, he’s still in that picture with me!
Runner-Up: My Batman poster signed by Jim Lee. He added a quick Catwoman sketch, too — love it.
Mandy: Autograph Collection
My most prized geeky possession is probably our autograph collection. And if I had to narrow it down, my favorite is probably either my Nathan Fillion or Wil Wheaton autograph.
I also have a Disney Haunted Mansion house that my husband found at a garage sale – it is so very shiny.
Judy: Prosthetic Leg Signed by the Bacon Brothers
One of my favorite possessions is my old prosthetic leg, that is signed by all the members of the Bacon Brothers Band. All of the band members from the Bacon Brothers Band, including Kevin Bacon, were kind enough to give me their signatures as my leg “tattoos.” I’ve had a new leg made since but still have this one, on display in my bedroom.
Jenny: Autograph Book
I have a geeky autograph book. Alan Dean Foster was my first autograph. I’ve also got Phil Plait, Wil Wheaton, John Kovalic, Bob Boyle, Jenni Holm, Bonnie Burton (I think)… Maybe more. My policy is to never pay for autographs, so I get them in other ways. Interviews, personal relationships, and trade for an amigurumi ninja (Wil) have worked so far.
Sophie: X-Files Collection
My X-Files stuff is pretty prized, especially the autographed trading cards and the cover of the soundtrack box set signed by Mark Snow. My husband bought me the collector’s edition Mulder and Scully Barbies last Valentine’s, and for this Valentine’s he bought me an action figure of Dr. Ian Malcolm to join Alan and Ellie who I’ve had since childhood.
I have a poster that’s a page from the original patent of the Doombuggy blown up much bigger; it includes the original diagrams of the mechanisms for the ride. I’ve also got a full copy of the patent which I keep on my Disney shelf! Both of them were prizes at a Disney fan convention, I also won a huge Space Mountain poster by Greg Maletic which is in our dining room. They’re all really prized possessions too!
Marziah: Photo with Seth Green
How about my most recent geeky possession? This picture with Seth Green.
Corrina: Birds of Prey Box Set and champagne cork from Johnny Damon
My Birds of Prey box set is the first thing I put on my desk in my new closet office. (Hey, it has a window. And a door.)
And the second is sports geekery. I have a cork from a champagne bottle popped by Johnny Damon after Game Seven of the 2004 American League Championship series in which the Red Sox came back from the figurative dead to finally slay the Yankees. I suspect if I could have it authenticated, it might be valuable but it was given to me by a sportswriter friend who was in the locker room so it’s enough that I know it’s real.
Sarah: Original AT-AT and Star Wars Autograph Collection
My most prized possession, geek or otherwise, is an original AT-AT from the first line of toys that came out with the Star Wars movies back in the day. My Dad picked it up for me with a collection he bought years ago, it was the only thing I kept. Next to that stands my Return of the Jedi Storybook.
Over years of attending fairs and conventions in England, my parents and I built up quite the collection of Star Wars autographs in this book, not specific to Jedi. I have Uncle Owen, Greedo, Admiral Mott, and even a “You’re Cool” from Jeremy Bulloch, aka Boba Fett. I have the autographs of two of the Ewoks, and the honor of the first ever signature their daughter signed. She was a baby when they made the movie and was on set wrapped in fur as an Ewok baby. My favorite? Warwick Davis – I have a soft spot for Ewoks. I just don’t have the Hollywood names yet, but I love my collection of side characters.
So readers, what’s on your keep shelf?
The original VHS copies of the Star Wars Trilogy…or any one of several photographs including Paul and Storm, Wil Wheaton/Adam Savage, Jonathan Coulton…the list goes on…I can’t choose one.
The crown jewels of our animation cel collection are cels of Roger and Jessica Rabbit and Conjunction Junction. The collection is mostly Warner, Cartoon Network, and anime- including some Macross/Robotech cels.
My mother in law thinks I can’t decorate. I say, who needs wispy landscapes when you can display Batman in your dining room? 😉
I too have an original AT-AT, stored in its original box. Along with an original Millinium Falcon, also stored in its original box, and a number of original Star Wars figures. These were all mine from when I was a kid though. I was one of those kids that kept most of the boxes and stored my toys in them. Even as an adult, I’m still somewhat of a box-keeper. Sadly, I sold both my X-wing fighters in a garage sale long ago, along with most of my Transformer, He-Man and GI Joe collection… (what was I thinking?!). I do have an original JetFire Transformer, which I’m proud of. No box, and he’s missing a few accessories, but other than that he’s in great condition. Oh, and I have a working green-screen GameBoy. No autographs or celeb photos though.
Lets see… I would say my pictures with Lou Ferrigno and my picture with Julie Benz most certainly rank up there. Aside from that, I have several great interviews/video footage of some great voice actors helping promote my college anime club are pretty cherished.
Pictures with every Star Trek captain. Tom Baker photo op and auto. Matt smith photo. Cast of White Collar. Bruce Campbell. Cast of LOST. Sir Ian McKellen autograph. Alex Ross original art. and on and on and on…
A “Gene Roddenberry” autographed copy of “The Making of Star Trek”. My dad, who is very very frugal, bought it for me as a birthday gift from Amnesty International. The esteemed Mr. Roddenberry had donated it as a fundraiser. I am a big ST fan and it meant loads to me because it reflected that my father knew this and ogh not a fan, approved. That the money supported a good cause and gave me immense pleasure certainly made it easier for him to part with it. It was a won on all fronts.
I was born when my dad was working on the Star Wars set, so right before he came home, he had a photo of the character actors half in costume with George Lucas printed and had George sign it wishing me a “Happy Birth Day Carol. May the force be with you. Love, George”. 30+ years later, it still hangs in my bedroom and is one of the few items I would grab in an emergency. I have gotten some other cool stuff from my dad over the years from his various movie, but this photo is still my favorite.