SECONDARY MARKET PANEL

A panel discussion will take place with long-time secondary dealers, June & Harry McGowan from AZ, store owners and secondary dealers, Rich Smythe from WI, and an avid collector, Doug Latta from IL.

June & Harry McGowan
Probably the best known secondary dealers, the McGowans began collecting on their 25th Anniversary in 1988.  They were soon addicted (sound familiar?) and entered the secondary market.  June and Harry do the "old fuddy duddy" stuff like phone, fax, and regular mail orders whereby June's brother, Gary, and his wife Sheila do the web stuff, email, and checking pieces.  For many years they had the first three pages in the Village Chronicle and now advertise periodically in the Village D-Lights.  They are looking forward to attending to renew acquaintances.  To them, it's like a family reunion only a friends reunion, instead.

Rich Smythe
Rich began a fascination with lighted Christmas buildings with those from Ace Hardware. Then, in 1994, he received a Dickens’ building for Christmas and - the addiction began! He now has complete sets of Dickens’, North Pole, and Halloween. Many of the older buildings were picked up on the secondary market and little out-of-the-way places going out of business. He has been very active in the secondary market both as a buyer and a seller for several years and has attended many gatherings as a vendor.

Doug Latta
It all started in 1987.  While Christmas shopping with a friend, I saw these neat lighted houses in a gift store.  I thought I would wait until they went on sale – but – they never did!  I know as I wore a path to the door, even getting to know the sales people very well. 
Two years later, I broke down and bought the original Christmas in the City set of three, at regular price.  The collection has grown since then!  Surprised?  I now collect every major lighted building collection Dept 56 has ever produced.  However, my favorite is still Christmas in the City.  Unlike years ago when I bought every building, I now collect only the ones I like.  I even dabble in the secondary market on Ebay.
I also collect lite-ups, Snowbabies, Merry Makers, Cold Cast porcelain, and other Dept 56 products.  Many of my friends think I’m nuts and they might be right.  But what can I say, I’m obsessed with Department 56!