Wall Street Scandals Provide Unique Collecting Opportunity

While the latest failures on Wall Street have decimated portfolios, cost thousands of workers their jobs, and even landed many executives in jail, these monumental failures have created a unique opportunity for collectors. Many of the failures during the past few years will not be forgotten by history. Like Charles Ponzi, who became famous as one of the largest swindlers in American history, the crooks and failures seen today will be tomorrow's Ponzi Scheme, forever famous.

The Failure of American Icons

The 21st century has been plagued with the death of some of America's more prominent and influential companies. Lehman Brothers, one of the largest and oldest companies on Wall Street, in 2008 became the largest bankruptcy in history. Bear Stearns, one of the largest investment banks in the world, was the recipient of an unprecedented emergency bailout from the Federal Reserve in 2007 only to be sold to JP Morgan Chase for a mere pittance compared to its once $100 share price. Enron, once one of the largest energy firms in the world, filed for bankruptcy in 2001 as result of systemic fraud. Global Crossing, Merrill Lynch, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, WorldCom, Ken Lay, and Bernie Madoff, the list goes on. This dark chapter on Wall Street will be studied for decades to come.

Failure Creates Opportunity

As these companies closed their doors or were sold to rival firms, employees began selling off years of memorabilia from these companies. Because the failure of these companies has become historically relevant, memorabilia from them have become collectibles, rare and valuable.

Over the years, these companies gave out a variety of gifts to clients, awards to employees, and memorabilia to commemorate special events. Look for commemorative Lucite's from investment banks celebrating IPOs and large deals, some even custom-made by Tiffany. Depending on the importance and notoriety of the deal and the number in circulation, these can sell for hundreds of dollars. Wonderful cedar humidors and wine sets bearing the name Bernie Madoff or Lehman Brothers also make for timeless collectibles. For those with a sense of humor, the ironic Enron Code of Ethics Book looks great framed in an office.

Other great collectible ideas from these scandalous companies are vintage stock certificates. Enron stock certificates regularly sell for over $100. While the stock certificate has no intrinsic value, framed, they make for a great historically relevant piece of art in any office. Enron even went so far as to issue a commemorative stock certificate to their employees celebrating Enron's share price reaching $50. Old stock certificates have become a hobby of their own, known as Scripophily. Stock certificates from these companies have become highly desirable and prices are foreseen to appreciate in the future.

The collapse of many iconic titans on Wall Street has left a lasting imprint on the American psyche. These failures will be taught and studied in business schools for years to come. Because these events have become historically relevant, a niche for the memorabilia from these companies was born from collectors looking to grab on to a piece of history. As these companies become engrained in our history books, the collectability and future value of scandalous Wall Street memorabilia is one of the few bright spots found in a dim situation.

Be sure to check out BullMarketGifts if you are interested in Vintage Wall Street Gifts or click on http://www.bullmarketgifts.com/Scandelous_Wall_Street_Stock_Market_Gifts_s/48.htm to see our collection of scandalous memorabilia.