Mar 9, 2009

Collectors’ Information Bureau Announces Finalists for Collectors’ Choice Awards

Grundy Center, IA — The glitz and glam of awards season continues this month, as the Collectors’ Information Bureau, a trade association comprised of top manufacturers in the field of limited edition collectibles, announces its finalists for the 2009 CIB Collectors’ Choice Awards. The public is now invited to cast their votes — selecting the crème de la crème of the collectibles industry.

Companies throughout the United States were invited to submit products, across a variety of categories, including ornament, dolls/plush, and home décor and gift, in late 2008. Distinguished judges — including Susan Elliott, an industry consultant; Sharon Bopp, an industry journalist; Phil Potempa, columnist, The Times; Caroline Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief, Gifts & Decorative Accessories; and Robert Miller, collector extraordinaire — then determined finalists in each category, based on four criteria: excellence in concept, design and execution; value represented by price and quality; quality of materials and workmanship; and overall aesthetic appeal. The purpose of the CIB Collectors’ Choice Awards is to recognize and highlight companies and products that judges believe are the “best of the best” within the industry. The Awards also build community amongst collectors, encouraging them to participate in the final voting process.

Ballots for public voting are now available online at www.collectorsinfo.com, as well as in the Spring edition of Collector Editions, a national consumer publication created for enthusiasts of contemporary collectibles, giftware, and décor items. The final awards presentation will be held at the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market(r) at the AmericasMart, July 2009. Collectors’ Choice Award winners will also be recognized in the 2009 Fall issue of Collector Editions.

For more information, please contact the Collectors’ Information Bureau at 800.352.8039 or visit www.collectorsinfo.com.

For a complete list of finalists, please see below:

Figurines/Sculptures (under $100)
* Enesco LLC, Speed Freaks, “Must’tang”
* Beasties of the Kingdom, “Felipe’s Flamingo Family”
* Roman, Inc., The Kneeling Santa, “Kneeling with Christ Child”
* Deb & Co., Puppy Pals, “Barney the Basset Hound”
* Giftcraft, Eden’s Angels, “Serenity”

Figurines/Sculptures (over $100)
* Prizm Inc./Pipka, Memories of Christmas, “Cold North Santa”
* Swarovski, Rare Encounters, “Giraffe” Silver Crystal
* Department 56, Thomas Blackshear’s Ebony Visions ™, “Steppin’ Out”
* Lladro, “Iris and Cherry Flowers Fan”
* Crystal World, Peanuts Collections, “Scooter Snoopy”

Holiday Items
* Roman, Inc., “Mickey & Friends Christmas Party”
* Goebel North America, “Winter Friend”
* Precious Moments, Holiday Traditions, “Filled with Wonder & Joy on this Special Night”
* St. Nicholas Collection, “Santa Claus”
* Deb & Co., “Elf Tea Light Candle”

Dolls and Plush
* Herrington Teddy Bears, Petit Fours, “Best Friends Puppy”
* Bearington Collection, Fall 2008, “Polly & Prancer
* Gund, Treasured Teddies, “Gregory”
* JC Toys Group, Inc., Berenguer, “Baby Bear”
* Midwest, Genuine Monkeez(tm), “Genuine Monkeez(tm) Sock Monkeys”

Home Décor/Gift (under $50)
* Charisma Brands, NewBee’s, “BeeMine”
* Precious Moments, Words of Grace, “Make the Most of Today with Hope for Tomorrow”
* Goebel North America, “Little Wishes Caroling Along”
* Conversation Pieces, Inc., Special Occasion Baseballs, “Tuxedo Baseball”
* Department 56, Just the Right Shoe, “What a Pair!”

Home Décor/Gift (over $50)
* Enesco, LLC, Gallery of Light, “Terror on Wheels”
* Beasties of the Kingdom, ” ‘Cousteau’ the Fat Cat”
* The ChemArt Company, Story Time Globes, “A Christmas Carol Story Time Globe”
* Prizm Inc./Pipka, Pipka, “Merry Christmas Decorative Sign”
* Crystal World, Vistalight Collection, “Heceta Head Light”

Ornaments (under $50)
* Enesco, LLC, Circle of Love, “Nativity Circle Plaque”
* Cherry Designs, Inc., Under the Big Top, “Heckles the Clown”
* The ChemArt Company, Baldwin Annual Editions(tm), “2008 Shimmering Snowflake”
* Roman, Inc., “Holy Family Sphere Fontanini(r) Ornament”
* Hallmark Cards, “Home for Christmas”

Ornaments (over $50)
* JingleNog, A Division of JingleBell Inc., “Ellie”
* Swarovski, “Santa’s Hat”
* The ChemArt Company, Baldwin Nature Series, “Hydrangea”
* Wee Forest Folk, Inc., “Aerial Elf”
* Waterford Crystal, “2008 Snow Crystals Pierced Ornament”

Luxury Items
* Goebel North America, Masterpiece Edition, “Feeding Time”
* Waterford Crystal, “Lismore Jewels Amethyst”
* Miller Import Corp., Galleria, “Madra’s Beauty”
* Lladro, “High Porcelain Great Dragon”
* Swarovski, Crystal Paradise, “Bee-eaters, Peridot”

Halloween
* Enesco, LLC, Jim Shore, “Wicked”
* Bearington Collection, Fall 2008, “Giant Ms. Abracadabra”
* Bethany Lowe Design, Inc., 20th Anniversary Halloween Collection, “Get Spooked Skeleton”
* Wee Forest Folk, Inc., “Dragon Dress-Up”
* Byers’ Choice Ltd., “Girl Witch on Broom”

Prints/Original Art
* Conversation Pieces, Inc., “Flower Bouquet”
* Edna Hibel Corp., “Bavarian Landscape”
* Mill Pond Press, ClasArt, “Frosty Morning-Bluejay”
* Wild Wings, “Slip and Slide Black Bears”

Collectors’ Information Bureau:
The Collectors’ Information Bureau (CIB) is a trade association comprised of the top manufacturers in the field of limited edition collectibles. CIB reaches out to collectors all across the country with news, information, and insights about the fun and fascinating world of collecting. For more information about the Collectors’ Information Bureau, contact Pioneer Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 306, Grundy Center, IA 50638, call 800.352.8039, or visit www.collectorsinfo.com.