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Posted:
16:08:34 on October 09 2001
By: Steve Krutzler
Dept: TrekWeb Features
COLLECTIBLES REVIEW
Written for TrekWeb by Nicholas Roche, edited by Steve Krutzler
Items: Star Trek: Communicator exclusives: UFP car flag and Enterprise-E towel set
Hallmark's 2001 Keepsake Ornaments
Welcome to the STAR TREK 35th Anniversary edition of my Review column. I know these reviews seem to be coming in longer and longer increments. But as I've said before, real life has a tendency to interfere in your "best laid plans" and all that. In my case, I wound up with that monster stomach bug that was going around a couple of months ago. (Made me missed what I was told was a killer convention in Tampa, but I won't complain TOO much.)
I wish to thank, in advance, my "contact" with the now combined Decipher/FanMedia, for the new contributions to my review materials. The recent merger of the two companies combined with a new process for obtaining the items means a lot of work. I want it known that I appreciate these efforts and I consider myself very fortunate to have been chosen to spew forth my ramblings on the newest TREK stuff to the web masses.
In addition, I wish to apologize to them both for the period of time that has elapsed in getting this review out. It was partly due to my above-mentioned illness (in fact, Sariah's latest "care package" arrived just as the bug sent me into a 104.4-degree fever), and partly due to some of my other commitments (I've been told I SHOULD be committed for taking on all the stuff I do, but that's subject for ANOTHER article [G]). I thank them both for their patience.
Last, but not least, I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the families of those injured or killed in the recent attacks on New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. As I was putting the finishing touches on this column, the attacks began. The devastation was appalling to witness. I can only urge anyone reading this to help those in need following this tragedy.
Now, on with the show…
NOTE: All prices quoted for the items described in this article are in US Dollars.
Again, I have reviews of items from several sources, but we'll start off with two of the newest exclusive items from Quark's Bazaar and the online STAR TREK COMMUNICATOR Store.
The first is the UFP CAR FLAG, one of the cooler low-end items to come from the COMMUNICATOR. I use the term "low-end" only to refer to the price, a very affordable $10. And you get a cool, simple item for your sawbuck. The name is self-explanatory; it's a flag you can hang from your car/truck/van/boat antenna (or even the flagpole on the back of your bike [G]) in a Fleet-appropriate navy blue shade with the United Federation of
Planets silk-screened in white on both sides. The 9"-square flag slides over your antenna and secures to it with an included alligator-style clip.
This was one of the few items I've received from the COMMUNICATOR to which I felt I could really give a proper field test before writing my review. So, over the past month, I have put the flag through its paces on my van's radio antenna. (Considering my van is a TREK show vehicle, I thought it MORE than appropriate.) This is when I made my first discovery: If you have one of those long, permanently extended antennas that stand straight up off of your vehicle, this flag will give it a major work-out. Especially driving it through the manic constantly-going-70-plus-miles-per-hour highway traffic afforded to the lucky hordes that call South Florida home. Add to this the predictably unpredictable weather we get down this way every summer (either 90+-degree heat or near-flood-condition rainfall) and this flag has certainly gone through the proverbial wringer.
I am pleased to say, however, that the flag (and my antenna, for that matter) has survived the "test phase" with flying colors (no pun intended). Granted, I found it necessary to augment the flag's "support system" with a few of those little black butterfly-style paperclips you can get at your local stationary store or office supply megamart (the 3/4" size work best). But the flag is still in one piece, and the silk-screened graphics show no sign of cracking or fading. All in all, it is a great accessory for YOUR personal shuttlecraft.
INITIAL INTEREST: In my case, very high. When I first saw this listed for sale, I knew I'd have to get one for my vehicle. For a TREK fan, it's a nicely subtle way to let the driving world know of your love of TREK. GRADE: A
OVERALL QUALITY: Came though my "real world" test with flying colors. The flag is durable and the colors stay true even through adverse weather conditions. GRADE: A
NOTE: As I suggested, the flag may require additional clips for stability on your antenna. Conversely, if you have one of those stick-in-the-window-to-root-on-your-favorite-sports-team flagpoles, you might consider putting the flag on one of these poles.
INITIAL VALUE: As with most of the items offered by the COMMUNICATOR, it's exclusive to them. Thankfully, the $10-plus-shipping price doesn't KEEP it exclusive. GRADE: A
COLLECTABILITY: This is one of those items that straddles the border between an everyday-use product and an occasional-display piece, depending on when you want to use it. Still, with its durable construction and long-lasting quality, it should stay in good condition regardless of how often it is used. GRADE: B
OVERALL RATING: A-. One of those rare pieces: A usable collectible.
Next up is something of a luxury item, THE ENTERPRISE-E EMBROIDERED TOWEL SET. This two-piece set--a 27" by 50" bath towel and a 16" x 30" hand towel--are 100% cotton Royal Velvet™ towels (chosen, so I'm told, from several candidates who offered to manufacture these towels for the STC) in "natural" shade (i.e. a neutral light tan) with the Enterprise-E ship's seal and "Enterprise Delta" embroidered in Command Burgundy at the bottom of each towel.
More a display piece than a truly utilitarian item, the towels are constructed of a high quality, thick terrycloth weave. I haven’t tested the absorbency of the towels, as I hesitate to actually use them and get them wet. [G]
INITIAL INTEREST: If you’re going for a TREK theme in your bathroom, this is a nice accent item. Don’t know if it would be a must-have, though. GRADE: C
OVERALL QUALITY: The towels are very high quality, as one would expect from pieces made by Royal Velvet™. GRADE: A
INITIAL VALUE: The set is $38 plus shipping, which—even for high-end towels—is a little pricey. However, having seen the towels and realizing the specialty market they fit into, it seems fair. GRADE: C
COLLECTABILITY: Considering these would be “display” towels (i.e. the type your mom puts out in the bathroom, but would SHOOT you if you actually USED them), they make for a nice collectible piece. Housewares in general are a mixed bag as to collectability, so there’s no guarantee they’ll go up in price. GRADE: C
OVERALL RATING: B-. You may not actually use these towels, but your friends will be impressed seeing them hang from your towel rack.
I’ll close my column with a review of the perennial favorite in the Trek Collectible world, the 2001 set of HALLMARK STAR TREK KEEPSAKE ORNAMENTS.
This year’s collection seems to be DS9-intensive, but very cool to see. The main piece is the SPACE STATION DEEP SPACE 9. This piece—measuring 4 5/16" high x 5 9/16" wide & deep—is a faithful reproduction of the station depicted in the show. It can be hung as a traditional ornament, or displayed on top of an included, battery-operated display base. The ornament plugs into contacts on the base, which includes a voice-chip that, when activated, replays Sisko’s toast to his crew from the DS9 finale WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND and activates lights in the ornament. Not surprisingly, it’s also the most expensive of this year’s offerings, with a retail price of $32.
One other feature of the DS9 Ornament is that it doubles as a display for this year’s mini-ornament set entitled STARFLEET LEGENDS. And with good reason. The set consists of micro-representations of the U.S.S. DEFIANT (3/8" H x 1 13/16" W), U.S.S. ENTERPRISE-E (3/8" H x 1 13/16" W) and U.S.S. VOYAGER (7/16" H x 1 1/2" W). The three ships can be hung from hooks attached to the “upper docking pylons” of the DS9 ornament. (They may also be displayed separately.) This set retails for $14.95.
This year’s “character” ornament also represents DS9: CAPTAIN BENJAMIN SISKO. The ornament, sculpted by Anita Marra Rogers, stands 5 1/16” high and depicts the station’s Commanding Officer in his “FIRST CONTACT”-style gray-yoked uniform. His arms, folded behind his back, hide what he holds in his hands: his beloved baseball. The ornament can be displayed freestanding, which works well if you wish to display it next to the DS9 ornament. This piece retails for $14.95.
Last, but certainly not least, is this year’s blown-glass TREK ornament of Q from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Also designed by Ms. Rogers, this 4 1/4" H x 3 15/16" W piece depicts the omnipotent troublemaker in his Judge’s attire seen in the TNG pilot ENCOUNTER AT FARPOINT and the finale episode ALL GOOD THINGS… Like last year’s Worf ornament, Q is depicted in a “bust-style” (head and shoulders only) and retails for $24.00.
As with all of Hallmark’s Keepsake Ornaments, each of these pieces bears the year of issue (in this case, 2001).
INITIAL INTEREST: The Hallmark STAR TREK Ornaments have always been great sellers. In most cases, pieces pre-sell out even before they are officially released. GRADE: A (all pieces)
OVERALL QUALITY: I have yet to see a Hallmark ornament—Trek-related or not—that didn’t accurately depict its subject matter. This year’s offerings are no different. Even the STARFLEET LEGENDS set is accurately detailed and painted. GRADE: A (all pieces)
INITIAL VALUE: It’s still a bit of a cash outlay for these pieces, most notably the DS9 Ornament. But most TREK fans know they're getting quality product from Hallmark.
GRADE: B for DS9 Ornament, A- for Sisko Ornament and STARFLEET LEGENDS set, B- for Q Ornament
COLLECTABILITY: With the exception of their first-ever TREK offering of the Enterprise-1701 in 1991, the Hallmark pieces have not appreciated in value terribly well. In fact, most of the pieces offered since 1993 can still be obtained on the secondary market for little more than their original retail value. This also tends to hold true for the general ornament-collecting market, where most of these pieces still list at or near these prices. GRADE: C (Still of value to TREK collectors, but not many others)
OVERALL RATINGS: DS9—B+ / Sisko—A- / STARFLEET LEGENDS—A- / Q—B+
Well, that’s all for this go. Remember, if you have any opinion on MY opinions, I’d like to hear them. Just post a comment below or e-mail me at njr75003@gate.net.
_NJR_ “Set a course…for home.” –Kathryn Janeway, CARETAKER and ENDGAME
