Steve Geppi Buys Hake’s Americana & Collectibles
Today, March 18, Diamond President & CEO Steve Geppi announced his
purchase of Hake's Americana & Collectibles, the nation's premier pop
culture collectible mail-, Internet-, and phone-bid auction house. Terms of the
private company transaction were not disclosed.
"[Hake's Americana & Collectibles Founder] Ted [Hake] is the leading authority on pop culture collectibles and has nurtured and promoted the hobby since its infancy. I am humbled that he is entrusting me with his legacy," said Geppi, who also owns Diamond International Galleries, Gemstone Publishing, Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles, and other notable, specialty market-related businesses.
In 1965, while still a college student, Hake 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, Hake decided to conduct his sales in auction format. "In many ways I think I was the first eBay," said Hake. In May, Hake's will publish Auction #179, its first catalog with all 3,260 items in full-color.
Over the years, Hake has authored 15 collectibles price guides on subjects ranging all the way from presidential campaign artifacts to television collectibles. Currently, he is preparing The Official® 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.
"Steve Geppi and I have been friends for almost three decades," said Hake in regards to the sale of his business. "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 Hake's publishing and office functions will remain at its headquarters in York, PA.
For more information regarding Hake's Americana & Collectibles, visit www.hakes.com. For more information on Diamond International Galleries, visit www.diamondgalleries.com, and for more information on Gemstone Publishing, visit www.gemstonepub.com. Plus, see below for a linked in-stock list of available Gemstone titles, including the Hake's Price Guide to Character Toys 3rd (STAR11611E) and 4th (STAR15977E) Editions!
• Gemstone Publishing: Click here!
"[Hake's Americana & Collectibles Founder] Ted [Hake] is the leading authority on pop culture collectibles and has nurtured and promoted the hobby since its infancy. I am humbled that he is entrusting me with his legacy," said Geppi, who also owns Diamond International Galleries, Gemstone Publishing, Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles, and other notable, specialty market-related businesses.
In 1965, while still a college student, Hake 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, Hake decided to conduct his sales in auction format. "In many ways I think I was the first eBay," said Hake. In May, Hake's will publish Auction #179, its first catalog with all 3,260 items in full-color.
Over the years, Hake has authored 15 collectibles price guides on subjects ranging all the way from presidential campaign artifacts to television collectibles. Currently, he is preparing The Official® 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.
"Steve Geppi and I have been friends for almost three decades," said Hake in regards to the sale of his business. "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 Hake's publishing and office functions will remain at its headquarters in York, PA.
For more information regarding Hake's Americana & Collectibles, visit www.hakes.com. For more information on Diamond International Galleries, visit www.diamondgalleries.com, and for more information on Gemstone Publishing, visit www.gemstonepub.com. Plus, see below for a linked in-stock list of available Gemstone titles, including the Hake's Price Guide to Character Toys 3rd (STAR11611E) and 4th (STAR15977E) Editions!
• Gemstone Publishing: Click here!
