The Ticker Times

Hello, fellow market enthusiasts! I’m Mike Oaklief, founder of Bull Market Gifts, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to The Ticker Times, our new forum dedicated to everything that makes the financial world fascinating—past, present, and a little bit of “this could only happen on Wall Street.”

Who we are

Bull Market Gifts has been helping collectors, financial professionals, and curious investors celebrate the markets for 17 years. We’re more than a shop—we’re a community of people who appreciate the stories behind the ticker tape, the craft of collecting, and the joy of thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts for clients, colleagues, and friends.

What The Ticker Times is all about

This newsletter is your go-to source for informative, entertaining, and occasionally provocative content about the world of money, markets, and memorabilia. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Rare memorabilia from the nation’s leading stock exchanges, including the NYSE
• Vintage stock certificates and scripophily highlights (yes, you’ll see those beautifully detailed old issues)
• Unique gifts and reviews tailored for financial advisors and their clients
• Scandals and dramatic moments from finance’s history (think Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Enron)
• Autographed memorabilia and the stories behind iconic pieces
• Practical guides on collecting stock market memorabilia, identifying authentic pieces, and preserving them
• Interesting corporate memorabilia from major firms like Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase, Berkshire Hathaway, Smith Barney, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, American Express, and more
• Gift ideas for holidays and special occasions that resonate with people who love the stock market

What you’ll get from each post

• A clear, engaging read you can enjoy whether you’re a veteran investor, a financial advisor, or simply fascinated by market lore
• Insightful context that connects memorabilia to the broader history of finance
• Practical takeaways, from collecting tips to gift ideas you can actually use
• A mix of articles, photo essays, and video content designed to be both informative and entertaining

A sneak peek of upcoming topics

• “The NYSE Trading Floor Telephone”: A closer look at the iconic NYSE floor telephone and the story behind this extraordinarily rare piece.
• “Top 10 Gift Ideas for Financial Advisors for Christmas 2025”: We’re going to give your our best recommendations that won’t break the bank this holiday season
• “The American Express Stock Certificate”: We’ll delve into the famous autographs on this certificate and it’s link to Wells Fargo
• “Collecting 101”: Stock Certificates — foundational guide for starting or growing a stock certificate collection
• “Crisis and Collectibles”: We’ll explore the 2008 Financial Crisis & the valuable Memorabilia and Stock Certificates that followed

Why this matters for you

Whether you’re a financial advisor looking for thoughtful client gifts, a collector chasing rare pieces, or simply someone who loves a great market story, The Ticker Times is designed to entertain and inform. We’ll highlight pieces you can add to your collection, gift ideas you can actually use, and the historical context that makes these items so compelling.

Join us on this journey

The Ticker Times is just getting started, and we want you to be part of it. Have ideas, questions, or topics you’d love to see? Tell us in the comments, or reach out directly. We’re excited to hear your thoughts and to tailor future posts to what you care about most.

Thank you for stopping by. We’ll have fresh content rolling out soon, with more stories, more visuals, and more of the finest wall-street memorabilia you can imagine. And yes—soon you’ll see some exclusive pieces and special offers tied to our ever-growing collection at Bull Market Gifts.

A quick note on how to stay connected

• Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and community spotlights
• Subscribe to The Ticker Times email newsletter for new posts, videos, and featured items
• Browse Bull Market Gifts for gifts, funding more for your collection, and limited-edition pieces

Here’s to the stories behind the symbols, the artifacts that tell them, and the gifts that celebrate them. Welcome to The Ticker Times.

Warm regards,
Mike Oaklief
Founder, BullMarketGifts.com