Comments:
Mat, just in relation to the new club being set up, when are the mailouts expected to begin? It's a great idea and I think you will get an excellent response!
Mat Maurer - 01/27/99 13:37:49
My Email:Collectomaniacs@msn.com.au
Subject: Issue No:7 February
Country: Australia
Comments:
Hi folks, our new issue of Collectorholics is now available featuring plenty of pin news and Pin auction results with pictures. Our December/January issue with the huge pin pictorial of every Sydney 2000 retail pin went to collectors in about eight countr
es and all agreed it was the best money they had spent. If you haven't got it you can email us for details on how to backorder.
We have also started the "Kingpin Pinclub". This club will cost you $30 to have a newsletter sent out every week (52 weeks) with all the latest news and details on how to get pins. You are paying for 52 stamps and paper and envelopes, and the most up-to-d
te news in Australia. Details on how to join the club are in the Feb issue of Collectorholics, or email us and we will send you a brochure. We felt the only way we could let people know about pin releases was by way of a weekly newsletter, because often w
s the case - between our monthly issues of Collectorholics - many pins were being released before our next issue was out. A weekly newsletter will avoid these problems and you will benefit greatly.
As far as our interstate collectors go, we have been pushing all the manufacturers to get pins out to the rest of Australia, and all I can suggest is that you approach local coin dealers in your state to order pins for you. The Olympic Stores are beginnin
to expand and you should see new stores opening up in different states sometime this year. We'll have more information on those as it comes to hand. In many cases, interstate collectors have been able to preorder pins from some stores, but when a limited
amount of pins come out like the Australia Day pin and the Olympic Store 600 days to go pin, you must admit....it's every man for himself! Many people have discussed regulation about opening times of stores and other things, but to no avail, so I truly ho
e for all our interstate collectors, that you all let your local shops know you want pins and then they can push for orders of all the special release pins. It's not the collector who thinks the Games are "just for Sydney", it's just that the manufacturer
are currently in the process of "Spreading their wings" to other states.
Cheers from Mat and Diane
Peter - 01/27/99 05:05:21
My Email:syd2000pinz@hotmail.com
Subject: Value
Country: Sydney
Comments:
I was just wondering the value of the benson house 'exclusive' 600 days to go pin and the Australia day oversized pin.
???
jarrad Langdon - 01/26/99 08:29:54
My Email:glangdon@tpg.com.au
Subject: sponsors
Country: Australia
Comments:
I am after any Sydney Sponsor pins at the right price
Martyn Ellis - 01/26/99 00:14:48
My Email:jameal@bigpond.com
Subject: Olympic Stadium
Country: Australia
Comments:
Can someone tell me whether there will be apin released for the opening of the Olympic Stadium on the 1st March 99
Greg Pohl - 01/25/99 14:16:10
My Email:GPohl11970@aol.com
Subject: Email Address
Country: USA
Comments:
You May Need The Whole Email Address. Sorry
Greg Pohl - 01/25/99 14:14:01
My Email:GPohl11970
Subject: Sydney Pins
Country: USA
Comments:
G'day! I have a few Sydney Pins to trade and sell if you have the same. I collect OLYMPIC SOFTBALL ITEMS (Pins, hats, stamps, coins, softballs, etc.) & Sponsor Pins. I have a respecatble start anyway. Would Like To Improve. I have Also Just Put Both
Olympic Journey Trucks On Ebay. They Will be On Sale Until January 31st Take Care, and Please Inquire!
Les Gaffney - 01/24/99 00:56:02
My Email:ubique@bit.net.au
Subject: Pins
Country: Australia
Comments:
Grant, the web site is actually Pinheads, sorry about that.
Chris - 01/23/99 09:49:03
My Email:pinworld@ozemail.com
Subject: 600 days to go
Country: Australia
Comments:
Just clarifying things, Robert the production on the Olympic Store 600 days to go pin is "1000", yes ONE THOUSAND. Chaos, you will certainly see it on Sunday.
Les Gaffney - 01/23/99 07:07:58
My Email:ubique@bit.net.au
Subject: Sydney 2000
Country: Australia
Comments:
I would like to help out Grant Brookes, because as you are aware, I share the same sentiments as Grant. I have tried to send you a message, Grant but I can't get through. Anyway, if you try the folowing web site, it may be of some assistance...http://www.
inheads.net/. When you make contact, scoll down to Australian Products Market Place[ it is a flashing promo] and click on to it, then look for the Olympic Pins section. If you have any difficulties, give me a call.
Les
Robert - 01/22/99 10:48:56
My Email:rzalud@hotmail.com
Subject: 600 days to go
Country: Australia
Comments:
Just in response to the last post by Chris, I think it is 10,000 rather than 1,000 that have been produced. I'd hate to imagine what kind of chaos only 1,000 pins would create.
Robert - 01/22/99 10:44:47
My Email:rzalud@hotmail.com
Country: Australia
Comments:
Chris - 01/20/99 12:00:11
My Email:Pinworld@ozemail.com
Subject: 600 Days to Go
Country: Australia
Comments:
Just thought I would let everyone know, on Sunday the 24th January The Olympic Stores are releasing the first of their countdown pins. It will of course be a 600 days to go pin and as far as I know there are only 1000 being made. It will only be availiabl
from Parramatta, the airport and the city. Goodluck and happy collecting!!!
Robert Day - 01/20/99 08:47:52
My Email:SHAZZI@bigpond.com
Subject: TRADES
Country: AUSTRALIA
Comments:
Hi everyone my name is Robert and l am looking for anyone interested in trading for Sydney sponsor pins, If you are interested please e-mail me and have a good day
Jack - 01/19/99 06:26:50
My Email:pins@i.am
Subject: Special Pins to Trade
Country: Sydney
Comments:
Hi,
Just got some more pins to trade, including:
Kodak Nagano/Sydney Bridge Pins (set of 2)
Nagano/Sydney Bridge Pins (Black/Blue/Red)
New Years Eve Pin
and more....
Please visit http://i.am/pins
Grant W. Brookes - 01/18/99 23:08:58
My Email:gbrookes@sandersson.net.au
Subject: Not Sydney
Country: The Un-Sydney part of Australia
Comments:
Folks, I have just discovered this forum and am glad to see that I am not a silent voice crying out to be heard regarding the 'Sydney' Olympic Games in the year 2000. I was led to believe that the games were to be held in Sydney, which is only a teens-wee
sy little bit of this vast nation, but, as we have all discovered, if you are resident in another part of the country, you may as well live on another planet. Nothing happens outside Sydney. If it weren't for K-Mart (bless their little hearts!), stocking
few pins, no one would know that the games were even being held in this country. I e-mailed Mike Yazdani, putting forward a suggestion that he and a few of his cohorts might be interested in organizing a swapmeet down here in Melbourne. His response was
o enter a posting here, hoping that a meet could be organized by local people...... . . Where in hell does he expect us to get any stock to swap. We've all got our collections from K-mart, so what is there to swap. I may be misinformed, but to my know
edge there is no other source of pins outside Sydney. I am open to suggestions, but I cannot afford the time to go up there, so forget that one.
Happy hunting, everyone!!
Grant the Grizzler
Les Gaffney - 01/17/99 03:03:44
My Email:ubique@bit.net.au
Subject: 1000 days to go pin
Country: Australia
Comments:
My daughter is after a 1000 days to go pin and I have some extra pins that I can offer in trade for one if anyone is interested. I have,700 plus 699 sleeps,media 2 yearsto go,100 and 90 weeks to go,paralympic 2 years to go and the International Olympic Da
pin, to offerin exchange. Is there anybody out there genuinely interested in making a trade? Also, I hope to be making my first visit to one of the swapmeets in may and if anyone is interested in American Law Enforcement or Fire Service Pins, please seek
me out.
Les
Al Falcao - 01/09/99 11:18:18
My Email:alfalcao@hotmail.com
Subject: Wide selection of pins for trade
Country: Canada
Comments:
Hi. I have several Sydney Olympic pins for trade including Sydney Morning Herald, Sun Herald, The Age, Adecco, Fairfax, Bonlac, AMP, Ansett, Fosters, Telstra, VISA, IBM, John Hancock, UPS, Xerox etc.
I also have hundreds of Olympic pins from
Calgary-Atlanta for trade. Please get in touch if interested.
Randy Carlton - 01/03/99 23:16:18
My Email:rdsbclub@interserv.com
Subject: Pin Stop Bid pins
Country: USA
Comments:
Hi;
I have a Pin Stop 2000 breaststroke bid pin for
trade. I'm looking for 1 of the 4 I'm missing
out of the set. I'm looking for Martial Arts,
Running, Women's Gymnastics, and Freestyle
Swimming. Anyone want to trade?
Greg - 12/29/98 05:25:16
My Email:GPohl11970@aol.com
Subject: Sydney OJ Pins
Country: USA
Comments:
Just a little note to let you know there are Olympic Pins available on Ebay.
Mike - 12/23/98 01:00:18
My Email:majid@4u.net
Subject: The Olympic Games
Country: Australia
Comments:
In the ancient times, four great game festivals were held on Greek land: The Isthmians, The Nemeans, The Pythians and The Olympic Games. Part of a religious festival, the Olympic Games were held every four years at Olympia. The four year interval was call
d an Olympiad, and was the system upon which time in ancient Greek history was calculated. The games were so important that even wars were stopped at the time they were held.
The first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. At first, only one race (the sprint) was run. Later, the discus and javelin throw, broad jumping and wrestling were added. The Olympic Games were held for more than 1,000 years. They were abolished by the Byza
tine Emperor Theodosius in 394 A.D.
The Games were revived in 1896 to promote understanding and friendship among nations. The first modern games were held in Athens, Greece. Young men and women come from all over the world to compete in various sports and represent their country. They live
n an Olympic Village at the site of the games.
The Olympic Games are organized and governed by the International Olympic Commitee (IOC). It sets the general program, chooses the city where the games are to be held, and determines the standards of amateurism. Each participating country has a National O
ympic Commitee that is responsible for arranging the participation of the nation's athletes in the games.
The opening ceremony of each Olympic Games is held in a major stadium. The president of the host nation usually officiates. Led by athletes from Greece, all athletes march around the stadium in the parade of Nations. Then, facing the Olympic Flag, the ath
etes take the Olympic Oath:
We swear that we will take part in these Olympic Games
in the true spirit of sportsmanship, and that we will
respect and abide by the rules that govern them, for
the glory of sport and the honor of our country.
The Olympic Flame is lit with a torch that is brought by a relay of athletes from the ruins of ancient Olympia in Greece. When the Games are completed, the flag is lowered and the flame extinguished.
By the way the second Sydney 2000 Torch Relay pin will be released February 1999 (same time as the announcement of the Torch design), which looks like the actual Torch.
Jack - 12/23/98 00:47:32
My Email:pins@i.am
Subject: Little trade
Country: Australia
Comments:
Hi,
I've got a few pins to trade:
2UE Live Broadcast
Lowes special "Book Leaf" Pin
Torch Relay Pin
Share The Spirit Fireworks Pin
Please come to http://i.am/pins for details
Jack
Les Gaffney - 12/06/98 22:06:21
My Email:ubique@bit.net.au
Subject: Al Falcao
Country: Australia
Comments:
First of all,Al, I hope I spelt your name correctly.I had no trouble with our trades and I am trying to get some more pins together for another trade in the future. However,I still think the forum is a good platform for colectors to air either genuine or
erceived greivances. As long as Sydney persists in its dog in the manger attitude concerning the Olympics,I WILL CONTINUE TO ATTACK THIS ATTITUDE.I must agree though, that personal attacks,without foundation, are not waranted and serve no useful purpose.
erry Xmas.
Mat Maurer - 12/03/98 13:39:30
My Email:Collectorholics@hotmail.com
Subject: Everything
Country: Orstralia
Comments:
Just a note to clear a few things up with our latest issue of Collectorholics. When we approached Aminco to do our checklist they gave us a list of pins and their mintages. At the time of our printing, the listing was correct as far as Aminco were concern
d. They did say however that they would have to go deep into their files to find out exact mintages of some discontinued pins. We could only print what we were told, and each of the manufacturing companies did a fantastic job of trying to provide collecto
s with an up-to-date listing of pins.
The confusion over mintages has led many dealers to almost give up, as they seemed to believe the original quote of 7500 pins for the 700 days to go pin. Many dealers ordered more than their usual quota of pins and are now left with egg on their faces.
The other questions from collectors about the numbering system also come into this category... If a pin has a number three on the back, it means that the company are entitled to make up to 25,000 pins if required! They might produce an initial order of 10
00, but depending on sales, they can either stop at 10000 or make up to 25000. Some of Aminco's first release pins are a great example of this: Most are numbered with a five or six, but some were discontinued with a run of less than 10,000.
The eye pin shown on page 7 of Collectorholics is another example of this. Our figure of 5000 is the number "produced" by Aminco and the figure of 3000 quoted by Aminco is probably the actual amount sold, same with the trucks. The number on the back is mo
e an estimate of how many pins they think they might make! The actual number made is dependant on sales over a particular period.
The Olympic Shopping night pins had 1000 pins produced but not all were sold. We estimated about 500 were destroyed at the end of the night, but the Olympic Store would not give the actual numbers for fear of embarrassment? (This is why we claim "Sold Out
as we knew that the unsold pins would be destroyed). Unfortunately we can't do too much about it, as their is no guideline to follow, and each manufacturer has their own set of rules. We at Collectorholics will "report" whatever we hear and are told by t
e manufacturers, so if there are further discrepencies with mintages and the like we will investigate as much as we can.
What does it all mean? If you ask me, the numbering system has many flaws, as Pin manufacturers realise collectors only want the low mintage pins. As a pin collector myself for over fifteen years, I'm still trying to make headway with it all, but you can
nly believe what you are told. Besides, what are all the collectors going to do when the pin manufacturers start making 50,000 pins for the tourist trade, and 150,000 pins when the games are on? Does that mean you won't collect the pins just because their
are too many of them? I collect pins for their historical value, not their monetary value and I personally feel that many collectors will get their fingers burnt if they are not careful. Time and time again history has shown that pins devaluate after the
ames, so everyone should keep this in mind when paying big dollars for pins.
Lets hope that the Pin manufacturers can do the right thing for collectors and keep us informed so that the collectability remains. Phonecards used to be big once, but the production of too many cards killed it off in a matter of a few years....63 million
pins were sold in Atlanta, but pin manufacturers need to realise that it is a much smaller market here in Australia (Duh!) and the market will not cope with saturation of product, especially with collectors being the bulk of the market! "Long live the Pin
!"
Good Luck everyone, and I hope we are all still talking about pins in a years time!
Mat Maurer
David Power - 12/02/98 10:14:02
My Email:david.power@hunterlink.net.au
Subject: Pin Mintage
Country: Australia
Comments:
I have to agree with Robert when it come to different mintages given for pins in different publications. No one seems to agree on the exact number made. May other winge is that you go to collect a series of pins and with each successive pin release the mi
tage is increased. This makes each release less attractive to the collector. Les Gaffney is also correct in saying that Sydney thinks that it and it alone owns the Games and no one else. In the Telegraph Mirror just a week or so ago some one wrote that th
Olympic Torch should not be taken around Australia as it was a waste of money and after all it is "Sydneys Games" and no one else. I think this attitude is displayed in the way that Olympic pins are distributed by companies, both the makers of the pins a
d Sponsers. If you don't live in Sydney bad luck. I have had the good fortune to be put onto someone that can supply the pins I require but not all people are that lucky and I think this is a shame for those collectors that haven't. Merry Xmas to all.
Robert - 12/02/98 09:42:21
My Email:rzalud@hotmail.com
Subject: Production Runs
Country: Australia
Comments:
I have a couple of queries I was hoping someone could answer:
1) I have noticed that a number of different sources have state different production run details. For example, the Dec/Jan issue of Collectorholics on page 8 states that 7500 of the 700 days to go pins were produced. The Cash's Aminco November checklist o
page 13 states that 13000 were produced. Can the figures be reconciled???
2) According to the Olympic Pin coding system, a pin which ends with a number 1 has 500 of fewer pins produced, a number 2 has a production run of 501-5000, number 3 has 5001 - 25000. Now, the "Eye" pin I noticed is numbered 711744 which means there shoul
have been at least 25001 pins produced. The Collectorholics magazine states that 5000 were produced and the Cash's Aminco checklist says 3000. A little bit confusing for a newcomer to pin collecting.
Les Gaffney - 11/29/98 23:09:36
My Email:ubique@bit.net.au
Subject: Olympic Store Pins
Country: Australia
Comments:
I just read the messages about the shopping night at the Olympic Store. Fair dinkum, it makes my blood boil to think that other Olympic Pin Club members were denied the opportunity to even order pins by mail and at least get the chance to obtain one of th
"special pins". Don't these people who run the stores realise that they are missing out on possibly hundreds of dollars worth of sales? For goodness sake,they could even create more jobs just by employing someone to look after these type of sales.
Mike - 11/29/98 00:04:26
My Email:majid@4u.net
Subject: Olympic Club Shoppin Night Pins
Country: Australia
Comments:
Robert, the next two Olypmic Club "Shopping Night" pins are limited to 1000 as well. First two nights Olympic store mangers did not tell us how many were actally sold and how many were destroyed. But we believe that between 500 to 700 sold and rest of the
were destroyed.
As every one in the store that night witnessed, the stores staffs were going around and asking every one to buy more product to be able to purchase more pins and were telling every one that the unsold ones are going to be destroyed after shopping finished
then they asked every one at around 8:00 PM to go home and they will destroy them after every one is gone, but as no one left they had no choice but wrap them up the pins and crash them with hammer.
Omypmic Club members had to spend $50 on Olympic products to be eligible to purchase one "Shopping Night" pin at $15
Robert - 11/28/98 08:46:49
My Email:rzalud@hotmail.com
Subject: Olympic Club Pins
Country: Australia
Comments:
I was wondering whether anyone knows how many of the limited edition "Shopping Night" pins were sold at the third and fourth shopiing night. I know that there were 1000 produced but I don't think they sold out. The unsold pins were apparently destroyed. T
erefore, I'm not sure how many are now in circulation.
Les Gaffney - 11/25/98 05:47:11
My Email:ubique@bit.net.au
Subject: My gripe
Country: Australia
Comments:
I would once again like to express my concern at
the perception that the Games belong to Sydney.
It should be pointed out that there are people
living in other parts of Australia [even N.S.W]
who collect pins.There are even members of The
Olympic Club who don't live in Sydney,and because
of this,miss out on the opportunity that is offered now and again,to pick up special pins if one is lucky enough to be invited to the store to spend some money. I asked this question once before,but is there a chance that a similar swapmeet could be organ
sed for Brisbane or other venues that would enable pin collectors to meet and if not swap pins, then perhaps stories. Anyway,if anyone has any ideas,this forum is a great way to be heard.
Brenda Marx - 11/25/98 02:03:38
My Email:Sponsorpin@aol.com
Subject: Sponsor Pins
Country: USA
Comments:
I collect sponsor pins as you can see from my e-mail address. From the Atlanta games, I am still looking for the Sprite Dream Team and the Macy's Day pin given out during the parade. I am also looking for sponsor pins from Sydney and SLC. Please contac
me so we can trade.
Mike - 11/21/98 07:07:10
My Email:majid@4u.net
Subject: Clocktower Pinswap
Country: Australia
Comments:
Just a short note to let every one know that Mr. Bill Hipson from "Pin America" and Mr. Don Davis from Salt Lake City will be in Sydney Friday 27th November 1998.
There will be a mini Pin Swapmeet at The Clocktower Square, corner of Argyle Street and Harrington Street, The Rocks, Sydney at 4:00 PM Friday the 27th.
Every one is welcome to join.