Round Table China

Fridge Magnets: A cultural collectible craze!

7 snips
Feb 11, 2025
Fridge magnets have emerged as the hottest collectible, stealing hearts and shelves alike! These mini mementos spark nostalgia and emotional connections, especially among younger generations. With a surge in popularity in China, collectors are drawn to blind box surprises and unique designs like the sold-out Phoenix Crown magnet. The discussion also touches on the evolving smartphone photography scene, comparing new telephoto capabilities to traditional cameras, and pondering the role of external lenses in this tech-driven era.
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ANECDOTE

Fridge Magnet Collection

  • Steve Hatherly and his wife collect fridge magnets from their travels around China.
  • Their goal is to cover their entire fridge door, creating a unique art piece.
INSIGHT

Fridge Magnet History

  • Fridge magnets originated as promotional items in the mid-20th century, gaining popularity in the 1970s.
  • Today's popular Chinese fridge magnets feature intricate designs, going beyond typical landmark depictions.
ANECDOTE

Phoenix Crown Magnet Craze

  • The "Phoenix Crown" fridge magnet from the National Museum is highly coveted.
  • Enthusiasts lined up for hours to buy one, and it quickly sold out, generating over $1.4 million in sales.
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