FIFTIES & SIXTIES REVIVAL AT THE “COLLECTOR FANTASIES” FAIR

On 13 and 14 February 2010 the 12th edition of Collector Fantasies, the biggest retro-fair in Belgium, is on. Mechelen will be hosting it for the 8th time.

The Nekkerhal will be turned into a paradise for lovers of the forties, fifties, sixties, and seventies. The exhibit halls will surely be filled completely with amusement games, coin-operated machines, jukeboxes, pinballs, bingos, arcade-videogames, jackpots, gumball vendors, pool tables, thousands of singles and CDs, enamel plates, neon and other advertising objects, clothes, diners (chrome furniture), old refrigerators (with round doors), old radios and televisions, movie and advertising posters turned yellow, specialised books and spare-parts, trading cards, cola items, old-timer cars, life-size replicas of different Hollywood legends of the fifties and sixties like James Dean (the rebel) and Marilyn Monroe (the sex bomb) and hundreds of other small things and gadgets from those nostalgic years of chrome and glitter. Also the items from the seventies have been increasingly popular lately.

Every day you can see that there is an increasing interest in the fifties and the sixties. Foreign countries like the Netherlands, France, Germany, England and Italy show a great interest in this fair, partly thanks to Mechelen's central location in Europe. This year too, a lot of important and known national and international exhibitors are coming to the fair with their most beautiful and exceptional collectables.

Although the pinball and the jukebox are disappearing from pubs, there will be a fine and extensive collection to be seen at this fair. These magnificent machines will also be for sale. There is a true pinball revival in the world of amusement games. Who doesn't dream of having such trendy and attractive machine at home: a music machine that lightens or flashes? Jukeboxes were not only made to listen to, but they are also nice to look at.

At this fair you will be able to find perfectly restored machines as well as machines that come straight from the attic. It doesn't have to cost a fortune but gross money is offered for exceptional samples. For jukeboxes there are two important periods. Firstly there were the golden years (1938-1948) with the 78 revolutions per minute jukeboxes. They looked more “fairy-like” or “enchanted” to tempt more people to put money in it. Secondly there were the silver years (1952-1964) with the 45 revolutions per minute jukeboxes. These machines were sounder and had a lot of options. Prices especially of the open jukeboxes are still increasing almost every year. Open jukeboxes are machines with a visible mechanism. The price for closed models that need a little work can be found for about € 500. When you are into DIY, you will be able to find replacement parts and other parts you were looking for all the time. You can even ask for advice on how to turn your machine into your own little jewel.
For fans of vinyl there are a lot of stands with thousands of singles, LPs and CDs from days long gone. The true music-lover will be able to find what he is looking for because there is wide range of sing along songs, golden oldies and popular tunes.

We are sure that everyone will find something to his or her liking between all these heaps of nostalgia (more than 1 km of stands). Maybe their long-awaited dreams will finally come true.

Therefore, collectors do come around on 13 and 14 February. We expect you at the Nekkerhal in Mechelen (motorway E19 Antwerpen-Brussel, exit Mechelen in the direction of Nekker). A ticket for this retro event from the golden years costs
€ 6. Where can you find such nice things at one place for so little money? In short, it truly is the fair that offers value for money.