Blog readers select Collector’s World as one of area’s best gift shops
The Annandale Blog presented 2014 Annie Awards to six
local businesses during our fifth-year anniversary party, Blogapalooza, on June
28. The winners were chosen by Annandale Blog readers in an open-ended online
survey. Collector’s World and
AnnSandra, which was profiled July 10, got the same number of votes in the best
gift shop category, so they both got an Annie Award.
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| Former Washington Senator Frank Howard signs a photo for a fan. |
Collector’s World, 7030 Columbia Pike, Annandale, is the
best place to find the perfect vintage sports card or comic book to add to your collection, a one-of-a-kind
item to display in a man cave, or the latest installment of a comics
series.
best place to find the perfect vintage sports card or comic book to add to your collection, a one-of-a-kind
item to display in a man cave, or the latest installment of a comics
series.
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| Ryan Zimmerman’s shoes can be yours for $800. |
Steve Weber and Damon Hudson, both long time collectors who
became friends while working for the same defense contracting company 10 years,
purchased Collector’s World in 2012 which had been run by brothers Ron and Vinnie Savino for decades.
became friends while working for the same defense contracting company 10 years,
purchased Collector’s World in 2012 which had been run by brothers Ron and Vinnie Savino for decades.
Hudson had been driving around Annandale killing time
between meetings when he stumbled upon the shop and bought some sports cards. Vinnie
Savino mentioned the store was for sale, so Hudson called Weber and the two
decided to buy it. There are also three other co-owners who have smaller shares in Collector’s World:
Doug Steele, David Miller, and Jonathan Goldman.
between meetings when he stumbled upon the shop and bought some sports cards. Vinnie
Savino mentioned the store was for sale, so Hudson called Weber and the two
decided to buy it. There are also three other co-owners who have smaller shares in Collector’s World:
Doug Steele, David Miller, and Jonathan Goldman.
Collector’s World is bursting at the seams since the owners
bought the entire inventory—four truckloads—from Pete’s All Stars, a sports
card and memorabilia shop in the Landmark area that recently closed. Some of
the items are in storage and will be listed on Collector’s World’s eBay store.
bought the entire inventory—four truckloads—from Pete’s All Stars, a sports
card and memorabilia shop in the Landmark area that recently closed. Some of
the items are in storage and will be listed on Collector’s World’s eBay store.
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| Collector’s World is branching out into custom framing. |
The shop hosts autograph-signing sessions with sports celebrities,
usually once a month except during the summer. At the most recent event, about
50 people showed up to meet legendary baseball player Frank Howard, left-fielder on the Washington Senators from
1965 to 1971.
usually once a month except during the summer. At the most recent event, about
50 people showed up to meet legendary baseball player Frank Howard, left-fielder on the Washington Senators from
1965 to 1971.
Other sports stars who’ve appeared at Collector’s World in
the past few months include former Washington Capitals defenseman and Hockey Hall of Famer Rod Langway, Washington Redskins cornerback Dave Amerson, and
Redskin greats Charlie Taylor and Roy Jefferson
the past few months include former Washington Capitals defenseman and Hockey Hall of Famer Rod Langway, Washington Redskins cornerback Dave Amerson, and
Redskin greats Charlie Taylor and Roy Jefferson
One of the most valuable items in the shop is a pair of
shoes owned by Ryan Zimmerman, third baseman for the Washington Nationals,
priced at $800. The shoes (size 12, Under Armour) were autographed and actually
worn by Zimmerman in a game. In the comics section, the store has #2 in the Green
Lantern series for $900 and recently sold a couple of the sought-after Iron Man
#55 comics for $1,000.
shoes owned by Ryan Zimmerman, third baseman for the Washington Nationals,
priced at $800. The shoes (size 12, Under Armour) were autographed and actually
worn by Zimmerman in a game. In the comics section, the store has #2 in the Green
Lantern series for $900 and recently sold a couple of the sought-after Iron Man
#55 comics for $1,000.
Other treasures in the shop include a series of vintage
Mickey Mantle baseball cards (ranging from $30 to $150), an autographed photo
of Mantle ($795), and a framed jersey and autographed photo from Terry Bradshaw
($395). There’s plenty of inexpensive items, too, like vintage Star
Wars cards from the 1970s for $1.
Mickey Mantle baseball cards (ranging from $30 to $150), an autographed photo
of Mantle ($795), and a framed jersey and autographed photo from Terry Bradshaw
($395). There’s plenty of inexpensive items, too, like vintage Star
Wars cards from the 1970s for $1.
