A History of Magic

Harry Potter fans rejoice — there are two tours about our wizarding hero in New York City right now. Harry Potter: A History of Magic is showing at the New-York Historical Society through the end of January. And Museum Hack’s The Boy Wizard tour is magicking at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as the de Young Museum in San Francisco year round.

Both delve into the history of magic seen at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For instance, did you know “hocus pocus” — seen in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” when Harry menacingly teases his cousin Dudley — likely comes from the religious blessing “Hoc est corpus meum”? According to Museum Hack, the shorter “spell” is likely a perversion of the original Latin phrase, which means “this is my body.”

Bezoar stone

In Harry’s first potions class, Professor Snape exposes our hero’s ignorance of the wizarding world by asking him about bezoars (BE-zors), supposedly powerful antidotes to poison. But these stones aren’t unique to witches and wizards; bezoars also also appear in the Muggle (non-magical) world. Bezoars are indigestible fibers that clump together in the digestive system, especially in those of goats, cows and elephants. Here is one encased in a 17th-century gold filigree case. There are other bezoars at the Met, Museum Hack pointed out.

ALAPPUZHA: An RSS shikshak was hacked to death at Nagamkulangara in Vayalar near Cherthala on Wednesday. Nandhu R Krishna 26, an RSS pracharak was allegedly attacked by SDPI activists. Two other RSS workers and three SDPI activists were also injured. 

RSS has called a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Alappuzha on Thursday against the incident.  The Cherthala police said SDPI had arranged a programme at Nagamkulangara, during which SDPI leaders allegedly used some provocative words.  RSS activists then gathered at the spot. 

Both parties staged protest marches, which ended up in a clash. Residents said tension between RSS and SDPI had been prevailing for the past few days. When UP CM Yogi Adityanath arrived in Kasaragod recently, SDPI workers of Vayalar organised a protest meeting. “This sparked a series of protests and ended in the clash,” said a resident.

KOCHI: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has issued a circular warning stringent action against Devaswom officers who allow functioning of RSS branches,  conduct of physical training or mass drill on the premises of the 1, 242 temples under the administration.

The circular issued by Devaswom Commissioner on March 30 says it is a matter of serious concern that some officers are facilitating such illegal activities on the temple premises. However,  TDB president N Vasu said the board had taken the decision years back to avoid use of temple land for political purposes.

“There is nothing new in the order and the decision was taken years back to avoid political intervention in temple affairs. The circular was issued by Devaswom Commissioner based on a complaint received in January this year. Not just RSS,  no organisation or political party will be allowed to use temple premises.  This order names RSS as it has been issued based on a complaint against the organisation, ” he said.

The order warned of stringent action against officers who fail to curb RSS activities on temple premises.

“It has been noticed that RSS is conducting branch meetings and mass drill on the premises of certain temples under the control of the TDB. It is a matter of serious concern that certain administrative officers and subgroup officers are facilitating such illegal activities on temple premises. The temples should
not be used to conduct physical training with or without weapons and for mass drill.

The deputy commissioners,  assistant commissioners,  administrative officers and sub group officers are hereby directed to take steps to curb such activities and report the same to the head office. Stringent action will be taken against officers who fail to comply with the order, ” says the order.

It seems like every year viewers are hit with a new streaming service, whether it be Hulu Live, Sling TV or HBO Max. Streaming services are only becoming more profitable and competitive, and they are starting to resemble something we thought was pushed into the past: cable. However, that does not mean some are not worth the investment. In fact, the new NBC streaming service, Peacock, has quality features and entertainment. It stands out amongst its peers for a few reasons, one being that it is free.

Most first heard of Peacock when “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” were taken off Netflix, but the streaming service was officially released on July 15, 2020, as a division of NBCUniversal. Less than a year later, it already has over 33 million subscribers, and the number is only growing. 

The site itself is user-friendly. When a viewer is on the streaming service, they can see it categorically organized into sections of channels, TV shows, films and separate Kids and Latino sections. The service is easy to navigate, unlike other streaming devices, with the viewer’s “Continue Watching” on top of the page and Peacock suggesting films and TV shows beneath it. 

There are three options when purchasing a Peacock account: Free, Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus. The free version offers quality content with advertisements in between, much like Hulu. However, there is a limited selection of entertainment. Only half of Peacock’s content is available on the free version. For instance, all Harry Potter films are on Peacock but only the first three are free. To watch the rest, the viewer would have to upgrade their account. 

Legendary pansexual icon and Scottish–American actor, Alan, belongs in this franchise! I could see him in a Filch-like role, or even as a wise retired professor Harry goes to advice for, or maybe even an auror! I want some Alan Cumming energy in the Harry Potter films and I won’t apologise for it.

Where you know him from: Spice World, The Good Wife, the Spy Kids trilogy.

Possible role(s): Frank Longbottom – Alice’s huband, Neville’s dad, and a fellow auror who also lives permanently in St Mungo’s. Orrrr Morfin Gaunt, Voldemort’s wicked uncle who is also a parseltongue.

If you want to sell old toys, please understand this: vintage toy stores may pay as much as $700 for Hasbro’s rare 1967 GI Joe female nurse. They would love to buy a set of retired Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer Lego toys for $600 or more. Fisher’s blue A-frame house may sell for $50.

But they are not interested in your stuffed animal bag.

“People always come in with stuffed toys. I don’t want to risk getting bed bugs. I always ignore it unless it is a caring bear from someone I know,” said Jason Williams, who owns the Big Fun Vintage toy store in Columbus, Ohio .

Due to the pent-up demand of collectors and young parents who miss the simpler era, the old toy market has grown during the pandemic. Many old-fashioned toy stores reopened their doors for business, rushing to sell them.

Williams said: “I think the pandemic has spawned a lot of casual collectors.” “A lot of these toy series may not sell well before, such as Polly Pockets or Mighty Max, which sell well now.”

Whether you are in a toy store or an online auction, you need to know the following in order to get high prices for your vintage toys.

How to determine the value of collectible toys

Williams understands the value of vintage toys as easily as Wall Street traders quote stock prices. But depending on the supply, demand, quantity originally manufactured, and the condition of the toy, the value varies greatly.

EBay Research

If you are considering selling antique toys, please research the latest selling prices online and pay close attention to the items sold, not the asking prices of unsold antique items.

Williams said: “I look at the items that have been sold on eBay and try to find a median price.” “If something sells for $100 at a time, it sells for $50 a dozen times, and it also sells for $10. It will be priced at $40 or $50.”

Then, based on the rarity of the toy, Williams pays the seller 50% to 70% of the price of the toy.

Professional assessment and grading

If you have a toy, especially an action figure, that comes in the original packaging and seems to sell for $200 or more on eBay, then the professional rating may be worth it. If it has an external evaluation, you may get more and you will know if anyone is trying to make a low price offer.

Many companies classify collectibles, and the price depends on the size and how long you are willing to wait. For example, the Action Puppet Authority charges $32 for scoring standard-size dolls within 60 to 80 days, or $55 within a week. Normally, you have to mail the item to the grader, and then they return it.

If you can find a grader or appraiser at a toy conference or local auction house, it will be a faster and cheaper way.

Toys from the 1960s and earlier are highly rated even if they are not in the original box, and are worthy of professional grading.

Supply matters

The dealer’s supply at any given time (purely depending on the situation) will also affect the offer to the seller.

“If I had a number of 30, I would lower its price, and I would pay less,” Williams said.

Mass count

Of course, the toys in the original box are more valuable. If the original packaging is still wrapped in transparent plastic, it will bring high prices.

It is usually the professional collector who keeps the toy intact. However, if you want to sell old-fashioned toys that children have played with for many years, there are still many potential buyers.

Consider the old Fisher Little Figure suits made in the 1960s and 1970s.

The blue A-frame is one of the more difficult suits to find. Williams will sell it for approximately $100 and pay the seller $50. If it is missing a few pieces, he will pay close to one-third of his asking price. If more than a few pieces are lost, he will pay approximately $25.

Just like Old record store might buy A scratched album, because the cover is in good condition, they know that the same album will be intact. The old toy store buys incomplete or even broken toys to complete the previously purchased set.

Williams said: “We have been shopping to take apart these pieces to match other suits.”

So how much can old toys sell for?

This is a sample of some old favorites for sale.

My little pony

Big Fun has a glass cabinet full of My Little Ponies, and each color of plastic costs $10 to $75. Expect to sell yours at about half the price. Male ponies are the most valuable.

“They made men with shoes and hats. There was a construction worker pony,” Williams said. Male ponies do not sell as well as female ponies and therefore produce less, making them more rare.

The first generation of used Mountain Boy Pony was sold on eBay for $549. The first-generation female Stardazzle was recently sold on eBay for $27, the bracelet was sold for $20, and Flutterbye was goodbye for $12.50.

GI Joe Character

Williams recently bought a 1993 GI Joe for $20. “He doesn’t have any weapons,” Williams said. “If he had those (owners), I would make an extra $10 or $15.”

On eBay, a second-hand 2008 GI Joe was recently sold for $15, while the 1964 GI Joe uniform and boots sold for $165.

Marvel Legend

Hasbro began manufacturing Marvel legends based on Marvel comics in the early 2000s.

“The demand for these is healthy. People always bring them in,” Williams said. “If no one cares about it anymore, a number may sell for $8, or they can sell for a few hundred dollars.”

The new She Hulk action doll from the Fin Fang Foom series was recently sold on eBay for $170. A second-hand 6-inch Epic Heroes Iron Man sells for $18.

Lego

Williams said that retired Lego sets are the most valuable, and anything related to Star Wars or Harry Potter is very popular.

A Diagon Alley set opened in a dilapidated box was sold on eBay for $70, but the same set was sold for $510 in a sealed box.

As for the Star Wars Lego bricks, the second-hand Rogue Shadow retired Force Unleashed set is priced at $149, while the second-hand resistance bomber is priced at $110.

Have Vintage toy stores in every state. If you check their website, most people will say that they are ready to buy and sell at any time. Of course, call ahead to confirm that they are buying what you must sell. Some old-fashioned toy shops mainly buy comics, and some comic shops also buy toys.

Sell ​​through auction houses

If you only have one or two items, eBay or a toy store is a good choice, suggested Blake Kennedy, auctioneer, appraiser, and co-owner of the Kennedy Brothers Auction House in St. Petersburg, Florida. But if you have collectibles, online or live auctions held by auction companies may bring in more revenue, he said.

Nationwide, auction companies usually charge a commission of 10% to 35%, but they may charge a fixed fee or negotiate a smaller commission for very expensive items.

6 tips for selling vintage toys online

Many people will automatically go to eBay to unload their childhood toys. Here is how to create a valid list.

1. Transparency.

Describe any defects or missing parts. This can save a lot of time and trouble if the purchase is disputed in the future.

2. Post a good photo.

At least five well-lit photos View the product from all angles and include any label or manufacturer’s mark to get the best price.

3. Detailed.

Include as many details as possible in your product description. These details are also keywords, such as manufacturer and year of release.

4. Be clear.

Check online product descriptions of other sold products in similar categories to get their keywords.

5. Responsive.

Pay attention to direct emails or messages on the online platform so that you can quickly answer any questions from potential buyers.

6. Timely.

When the goods are sold, please mail them promptly and carefully so that you will get a good online review.

Katherine Snow Smith is the senior writer of The Penny Hoarder.

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LOS ANGELES: A prototype of the terrifying monster from “Alien,” a mobster’s three-piece suit worn by Al Pacino in “Scarface” and Harry Potter’s wand are among 800 items from classic Hollywood movies up for auction next month in Los Angeles.

The Blockbuster auction’s centerpiece is the life-sized, nightmarish Xenomorph creature from Ridley Scott’s classic 1979 sci-fi horror, expected to fetch up to $60,000.

Designed by Swiss artist Hans Ruedi Giger, the translucent costume was long presumed missing and has never been on sale before, according to Julien’s Auctions executive director Martin Nolan.

Another high-profile item is the pin-striped suit worn by Pacino’s coked-up drugslinger Tony Montana in the bloody climactic gunbattle of 1983’s “Scarface.”

The “very, very rare” costume has a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$30,000, said Nolan.

“This is Western pop culture. But now these items are known globally,” he added.

Props from various Batman movies will be on offer, from the bodysuit worn by Val Kilmer’s caped crusader and the cloak donned by Michelle Pfieffer’s Catwoman in “Batman Forever”, to the massive rifle wielded by Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mister Freeze in “Batman and Robin.”

The Zippo lighter used by Bruce Willis’ character throughout “Die Hard” can be purchased alongside the ratty “studio distressed” vest he wears in sequel “Die Hard With a Vengeance.”

An original Imperial scout blaster from “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” is likely to yield $20,000-$30,000, while a pair of original bladed gloves worn by Johnny Depp in “Edward Scissorhands” could draw up to $50,000.

“If you love Harry Potter — and you’re probably at a stage when you’re starting to make money now (if) you grew up with Harry Potter movies — and you want to own something from your youth,” Daniel Radcliffe’s wand is available, added Nolan.

While the boy wizard’s wand is estimated at $8,000-$10,000, Slytherin fans may want to consider one from Professor Snape’s collection, which is a little cheaper at $6,000 to $8,000.

Inkwell And Pen Case Or Davat-I Dawlat

A dagger of an emperor, an ornate pen case and a 17th century necklace of the Nizam. These are among the 400 pieces of ancient Indian treasures and Mughal jewels set to go under the hammer in New York on June 19.