eBay's Valentine Chat:
A Community Holiday Tradition Lives On….
by Daphne
eBay Staff Member

One of the many signposts that prove eBay's boards are home to thriving, dynamic communities is that they host their own traditions. And one of eBay's longest-running board community traditions is the annual "Valentine Chat", a board event co-hosted by eBay member and vice president of the National Valentine Collector's Association, Nancy Rosin and eBay writer, Arlene Brenner.

Rosin and Brenner first paired up together to host a fun, informal chat about Valentines back in 1999. Their chat covered both the history behind the Valentine and information about collecting Valentines.

"I originally met Nancy when I interviewed her for eBay Life (a now defunct online eBay publication), and we have formed a nice relationship," says Brenner. "As I recall, we did the article and had so much fun together, we just decided to host a live chat!"

"People were really friendly during that first chat," remembers Rosin. "Many didn't know anything about Valentines, but they were happy to have us there and cheer us on!" With each year, their following grew a little.

"She is a wonderful lady, and the chat is really fun," Brenner says. "Members post their questions and often, pictures of beautiful valentines, on the board during the chat." We've done this every year but last year (2002), when I was on Family Leave," she adds.

Like many of eBay's members, Rosin's personal research and experience in the field of valentines and ephemera has made her one of the top experts in her field. She has authored innumerable articles, produced her own video, and been featured on A&E's television show Incurable Collector. To cap off her achievements, she was recently invited to tape a segment for the television show Martha Stewart Living.

When asked about the Martha Stewart taping, Rosin says it was "quite a wonderful adventure."

"I was there for more than five hours, and I felt a little wilted, but they said it was greatand the adrenaline was pumping! She [Martha Stewart] was very sweet to meand I think she really liked the Valentines. There was a little small talk, then the shoot, and then it was over!"

It may have seemed like a lot of waiting and tension for such a short shoot, but Rosin was quick to put it into perspective and remember it was all in a day's work preparing for "heck… a million viewers!"

When asked about her favorite eBay find, Rosin says: "While I have found a number of wonderful pieces…I think the 'find' has been the community."

Rosin explains how eBay has helped her meet other educated collectors in her field. "Through bidding and corresponding with bidders and sellers, I have met a number of people with whom I stay in touch. We talk about collecting and things that are up for sale."

Rosin is grateful for the personal relationships she's developed through eBay. "It has enabled us to email one another when we see something we think the other person will be interested in. Also," Rosin adds, "it [eBay] is the place where I know I will probably be able to find an example of practically anything I'm looking for."

(To learn more about the history of the valentine and other information about collecting valentines and other ephemera, please go to Nancy Rosin's site: www.victoriantreasury.com. To read this year's annual "Valentine Chat," please go to the Decorative & Holiday discussion board.)