Hake's Americana & Collectibles Announces Purchase by Baltimore Businessman; Steve Geppi Buys Pop Culture Auction House.Entertainment Editors/Business Editors TIMONIUM, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2004 Today Baltimore businessman Steve Geppi announced his purchase of Hake's Americana & Collectibles, the nation's premier pop culture collectible collectible An asset of limited supply that is sought for a variety of reasons including, it is hoped, an increase in value. Stamps, antiques, coins, and works of art are among the many things usually classified as collectibles. mail, Internet and phone bid auction house. Terms of the private company transaction were not disclosed. Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Geppi stated, "Ted is the leading authority on pop culture collectibles and has nurtured and promoted the hobby since its infancy infancy, stage of human development lasting from birth to approximately two years of age. The hallmarks of infancy are physical growth, motor development, vocal development, and cognitive and social development. . I am humbled that he is entrusting me with his legacy." Mr. Geppi is the owner of Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest distributor of English language English language, member of the West Germanic group of the Germanic subfamily of the Indo-European family of languages (see Germanic languages). Spoken by about 470 million people throughout the world, English is the official language of about 45 nations. comics, toys, collectibles and related merchandise. Additionally, Mr. Geppi owns the Timonium, MD based Diamond International Galleries, the only facility of its kind that displays a collection of some of the finest examples of comic books comic book Bound collection of comic strips, usually in chronological sequence, typically telling a single story or a series of different stories. The first true comic books were marketed in 1933 as giveaway advertising premiums. , toys, original comic art and memorabilia mem·o·ra·bil·i·a pl.n. 1. Objects valued for their connection with historical events, culture, or entertainment: posters, publicity photographs, and other movie memorabilia. 2. presented in a museum quality setting. His Gemstone gemstone Any of various minerals prized for beauty, durability, and rarity. A few noncrystalline materials of organic origin (e.g., pearl, red coral, and amber) also are classified as gemstones. Publishing is licensed to publish Disney's standard character comic books. Gemstone also publishes the "bible" of comic book guides, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. In 1965, while still a college student, Ted Hake hake: see cod. hake Any of several large marine fishes (genus Merluccius) usually considered part of the cod family. Hakes are elongated, large-headed fishes with large, sharp teeth, two dorsal fins (one notched), and a notched anal fin. began to issue carbon copy sales lists consisting of political pinback buttons. Customer reaction was beyond all expectations, with many customers disappointed to learn that an item of interest had been sold a day or two before they could place an order. To address this problem, Mr. Hake decided to conduct his sales in auction format. "In many ways I think I was the first eBay," says Mr. Hake. In May of 2004, Hake's will publish Auction #179, its first catalogue with all 3,260 items in full color. Over the years, Mr. Hake has authored 15 collectibles price guides on subjects ranging all the way from presidential campaign artifacts artifacts see specimen artifacts. to television collectibles. Currently, he is preparing The Official(R) Hake's Price Guide To Character Toys, 5th Edition. This massive reference, with nearly 15,000 entries pictured and priced, is a virtual history of all entertainment-related collectibles from the 1890s to the present day. Commenting on the sale of his business, Mr. Hake said, "Steve Geppi and I have been friends for almost three decades. He was my first choice to carry Hake's Americana & Collectibles into the 21st century. While I intend to remain fully engaged at Hake's, I also plan to use some of my extra time to pursue the hunt for the best collectibles to offer to our customers." All of the Hake's publishing and office functions will remain at its headquarters in York, Pennsylvania York, known as the White Rose City (after the Wars of the Roses), is a city located in South Central Pennsylvania. The population was 40,862 at the 2000 census. York is the county seat of York County,GR6 . For more information regarding Hake's Americana & Collectibles, visit www.hakes.com For more information on Diamond Comic Distributors visit www.diamondcomics.com For more information on Diamond International Galleries visit www.diamondgalleries.com For more information on Gemstone Publishing visit www.gemstonepub.com |
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