(Staff writer Frank McGuire gives us a peek at some great collectors' items. Let us know what rare, unique or otherwise interesting Smithereens collectibles you have! )

Guess no one thought of "11" trading cards. Still looking for the BLOW UP inflatable dolls.

Never had a chance to use my DATE WITH THE SMITHEREENS calendar. (Geez, Not even any Gotti action figures!)

So just what type of Smithereens collectibles are there?

Not as much as the Beatles, and way less than KISS.

But there are some things out there.

But as with any collectible, it’s almost impossible to gauge the exact financial value. That is essentially up to how much a buyer wants to spend - and how much cash it will take to make someone part with an item.

So, we’re going to take a look at just some of the more unique and desirable Smithereens collectibles, without trying to offer a price guide or ultimate list. In fact, we’d like to make this a "work in progress."

But - for now - from the act you’ve known for all these years:

The holy grail of ‘reens memorabilia and most sought-after item arguably is their first vinyl issue, the Sun Records of ‘reendom. On October 31, 1980, D-Tone Records released GIRLS ABOUT TOWN, a 4-song EP with songs about the female persuasion. Three originals and one cover tune, the disc made its way into a few East Coast shops (primarily New Jersey and NYC) and onto a few jukeboxes. "It wound up on the jukebox at Kenny's Castaways," Pat told Brett Milano, a Boston music critic, in the liner notes of "Blown to Smithereens." "So we had the dubious pleasure of getting drunk and punching up our own songs on the jukebox." Only 1500 copies of GAT were pressed. Band members also have said they probably ended up giving more away than they sold, and the disc also was used to line up future gigs for the struggling quartet from central Jersey.

Aside from the time a dear friend gave me his ‘extra’ copy, the only other time I saw it was in the early 1990s at a record show in - where else - New Brunswick, New Jersey, (home of the COURT TAVERN, site of many early ‘Reens gigs and Jim Babjak’s "Flamin’ Groovies" record store). Price $100.

Speaking of vinyl, what may be even more rare are the two albums with Otis Blackwell (Let’s Talk About Us and From The Beginning). In ten years of looking, I’ve never seen them.

I don’t know any other ‘reens fans who have them.

Again, some of the band members said they don’t even own them because Blackwell was only willing to sell them copies! [If anyone owns these albums, please contact Dave's Smithereens Page.]

Between the years at Enigma, Capitol and RCA there are a variety of promo 45s and 12-inch singles (see the discography for complete information) along with numerous foreign and domestic regular issues, promos and picture sleeves. Once CDs came into the audiophile’s world in the mid-80s, so did another type of collectible.

Vinyl standard-single releases and promos issues have almost been entirely replaced by CD, w/ the exception of the A Girl Like You / Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 45 (Capitol/CEMA S7-18206), the One After 909 / It Don't Come Easy 45 (Capitol/CEMA S7-18871) and A DATE WITH THE SMITHEREENS vinyl box. While the first three LPs were issued domestically on vinyl, BLOW UP was only an import -- and quite hard to find. Enigma also cashed in on the picture-disc fad, which was waning by 1987, with an ESPECIALLY FOR YOU picture disc, complete with a unique poster.Of the numerous CD promos, one of the hardest to find is "Rudolph", issued in November 1992 with a very unique caricature drawing of the band.

Along with every new LP also came a flurry of promo posters flats and other memorabilia (lapel pins for example).

Concert memorabilia has ranged from the standard baseball caps, sweatshirts and T-shirts with assorted logos, pictures and designs for every album release. Items that are just as desirable, but that cannot be purchased include guitar picks, concert handbills, and set lists. In 1987, the band sold a poster at their concerts like the inner fold of the "LIVE" CD.

Also, the Restless "LIVE" CD is now out of print, but had a collectible variation: one version had a cardboard cover while other had import-single jewel boxes.

Shortly after the release of 11, the band followed it up with their first home-video release: 10. The compilation of unedited, master-quality videos was a welcome addition to any fan’s video library, which to that point probably consisted of a handful of VHS tapes containing a few TV appearances and incomplete versions of videos hastily taped from MTV. (And also the band’s MTV SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT from New York City’s the Ritz in October 1986). Some time later, a video-disc version of 10 reportedly was released - but I’ve never seen it.

The band has never made the cover of Rolling Stone, but has been prominently featured a number of times. Also, countless music magazines around the country have featured the band on the cover with in-depth profiles. One of the best - and unique - items is the July 1988 Guitar magazine, featuring gorgeous color photos. Another unique set of color photos was included in the June 1988 issue of RockBill.

And what collection of anything would be complete without some sort of baseball card? In the early ‘90s, Winterland Rock Express issued ProSet SUPER STARS MusiCards. The ‘reens were card #237, complete with a black and white photo from the ‘’11’’ sessions. And on the back, there’s the standard inaccurate fact ("The group’s second album SMITHEREENS 11") and misspelling ("Jim Rabjak").

Whereas most rock-star autographs are nearly impossible to get, and if you DO get a chance, you’ll have to put up with an attitude, Smithereens autographs are incredibly easy to get. The guys usually always come out and greet friends, visitors and fans after the show, provided theater or club security lets them.

However, even if you don’t own any rare vinyl, your T-shirt has shrunk and you lost that signed ticket stub, perhaps the most precious of all Smithereens momentos isn’t something that could be sold, bought or traded. Perhaps it’s the fond memories and warm thoughts of the best Smithereens concert you ever saw -- and that could just about be any one, right?