His face is familiar, by George!

By Joyce Worley

The image of George Washington, America's first president is known throughout the world. His larger-than-life likeness is carved in stone at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, and it's present on the U.S. one-dollar bill. His long silver hair, pursed lips and familiar gaze are also prominent in the collecting community-new items are frequently being created, adding to a plethora of George Washington items that already exist.

Coins, stamps and currency are some of the most familiar George Washington collectibles, but did you know that there are George Washington dolls, and even a Washington Barbie? If art is what you're looking for, portraits, prints and posters of the man are available. There are George-emblazoned fishing and hunting licenses, as well as toys, banks, tins, plates, lamps, postcards, silhouettes, and busts. Old and new books about him abound, as well as new issues of his own writings, and calendars.

During America's bicentennial in 1996, lots of fun items were created to commemorate the passing of time between George's term of office (1776) to Gerald Ford's (1976). Among them were a square-shaped toothpick holder with pictures on each side: one of George Washington, one of Teddy Roosevelt, one of the Liberty Bell with dates 1776-1976, and one of Gerald Ford.

In addition to solo portraits of George, images of the man and his wife, as well as places dear to the wooden-toothed president are available. George and Martha are popular images on figurines and dinnerware. Lenox has a floral patterned vase named after the former first lady. There's even a Jim Beam Martha Washington whiskey decanter that shows her on the front, and tells her story on the back!

For lovers of George's famous estate, Mount Vernon, there are shirts, hats, kitchenware, collectible spoons, small-scale home models and other souvenirs depicting the site. This year, as Mount Vernon is being refurbished, luxury items such as furniture, carpets and fabrics are being copied from those at his home.

George Washington is a revered American president. With all of the items available that depict his image, George's popularity has clearly withstood the test of time.

Joyce Worley is Editor of the Collecting Channel. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.

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The preceding material was written by Lee Bernstein. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.