Bill: That should be "long lists," not lost lists.
Nancy: I agree that it gives a lot of info about the show, as well as merchandise. It's easy to read, too.
Bill: Thanks. I really had fun putting it together.
Nancy: How much of the stuff featured in the book is part of your personal collection?
Bill: Pretty much all of it. The main reason is ... I found that, if I didn't see it personally, it was very hard to describe adequately.
Nancy: Wow! Then you have a ton of stuff! You mentioned the Bart Lady has 3,000 items, I think? How many would you say you have?
Bill: She told FX Collectibles Show she had 10,000 pieces. I have about 3,000. She started right at the beginning and basically bought everything she could find back when everything was available. She was very, very smart.
Nancy: (For those who don't have the book yet, the Bart Lady is a gal in Seattle who has a HUGE collection and has been featured on tv.) Ay carumba! Her whole house must be covered in "Simpsons!"
Bill: I think so. She told me she has it packed away everywhere. And she's a very nice person, too -- a real fan. I could talk to her for hours.
Nancy: My favorite part of your book is the "Cool or Cheesy" section. Would you tell the folks what that is, and how you decide of something is cool or cheesy?
Bill: Oooh! I guess I define cool as an item that reflects the wit and fun of the show itself, generally a high-quality piece that won't fall apart the first time you use it. A cheesy item is just the opposite -- a make-a-quick buck item, or one that seems full of Bart catchphrases without any heart. Cool for me are the Mattel action figures from 1990. Cheesy are the Jesco bendies from the same time period.
Nancy: Ahhh. Now, last Saturday I went to the Mid-Ohio Comicon I was hoping to find some Bongo comic books, and the only things there were the books I can buy from Borders.com or anywhere else. Where, other than internet, should I go for comic books and other things?
Bill: Carlton Card shops have the Homer ornaments. As well as cards. You can find comic books at many comic shops and even groceries -- "Simpsons" comics, that is. Flea markets and garage sales sometimes have older "Simpsons" stuff ... Although they are often pretty beat up. But for the most part it is very, very tough finding anything "Simpsons" in the retail stores.
Nancy: I agree. I'm in collectible and comic book stores all the time. I've seen the clock and a board game, but that's it lately. Occasionally I spot the chess set. Do you own that? It looks awesome!
Bill: Pretty much I only find stuff these days on the Internet -- ebay, or Sunway Co. and etoys I do own the chess set -- and checkers set by the same company. It is one of the nicest "Simpsons" items you'll find and well worth the price, although shop around for the best deals because prices really vary.
Nancy: Recently I almost bid on a couple of items at ebay, but I didn't see them in your book (which is hard to believe considering how much info you have!) so I want to ask you what you think a can of "Simpsons" pasta and a Bart mug that just shows his hair are worth?
Bill: I found food items tend to be worth far less because they don't retain their conditon over time. I had a can of U.K. "Simpsons" pasta once, and it rusted so badly I had to throw it away. I would value such a can at less than $10, even in mint condition. As for the mug, again it depends on condition, but I think most are worth about $10, unless they come with original boxes, and that makes them maybe worth $15 or so.
Nancy: Yes, this one came in its original box. That would have been a bargain because the high bid was only $8! Now, if I'm new to "The Simpsons," and I want to start a collection, what should I start with? Dolls? Cards? Comics?
Bill: I'd start with the easy, inexpensive items, such as the comics. That way, after you collect a while, you'll know whether you actually enjoy it enough to continue and really get into the big money.
Nancy: One fan suggested the pez dispensers. Do you know which characters they're releasing?
Bill: Pez is pretty tight-lipped about that. Their Web site says they don't release details on upcoming products. I keep digging around though to see if I can learn more.
Nancy: It's a good thing you're out there feeding us this information. I can't find the info I need a lot of times. Recently you had an interview with Alf Clausen, the composer. How was he, and how did you get to him?!
