Father's Day Gift or Vintage Collectible? It's a Tie!

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Unlike most collectors who store or display their prized possessions, Glen's collectibles absolutely must be in great condition because he wears them. "I wear a different tie almost every working day of the year," he says. "I have a few that I like so much that I repeat them several times each year, but others get trotted out maybe every year and a half."

What kinds of ties does Glen look for? "My tastes are for the very wide ones (at least four inches) with lots of background brocade. I like silk and rayon ties. Geometric patterns and ties with leaves and flowers are my favorites, but I have just about everything in my collection. Unlike most tie collectors, I am not all that thrilled with hand-painted ties, and I think the vast majority of the Dali ties from the 1940s are vastly overrated. I really don't think I have any ugly ties, but the ties with elaborate designs of birds from the 1940s are without a doubt the prettiest ever made."

Glen says that while he has dealers looking for him in his hometown, eBay has been a great source for finding some real gems. Among his greatest finds are a nautical-themed tie, a tie with acorns, and a deco-inspired rendition of Pegasus in shades of steel blue and white. "eBay is kinda like walking into a new antique store—one you've never seen before—as often as you want. I think I've bought maybe 50 ties on eBay. I've paid as much as $225 for one rare tie on eBay, but most go for under $20."