What Should I Collect?
Collections can range across many different items, from common everyday items to obscure and exotic items. A woman in Missouri that collects Barbie’s might think that collecting match books seems strange. However, the woman in Florida that collects those match books from every hotel she has ever traveled to finds her collection invaluable. These match books remind her of all the memories of her trips. So, who is to say what is really normal or weird?
Some collectors might collect lunch boxes, while other collectors might collect anything that displays Mickey Mouse. Some people think that anything of value that people collect can be considered a collectible. This is not necessarily true. There are some people out there that collect telephone books. Now some people might not consider this to be a collectible, because a phone book does not really hold a value since they are usually given free to the public. However, a collectible item is considered to have value if people are willing to pay money for the item. The old saying that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” certainly holds true for the collector.
Collectible items can be found almost anywhere. The popular place today to buy and sell collectibles is eBay. A collector can spend hours pouring over hundreds of auction ads for their collection of choice. Collectors can go to trade shows to buy, sell or trade collectibles. Collectibles can be found at antique malls, flea markets and, of course, the ever popular garage sale. Garage sales are an American pastime. One person can go to a garage sale and see nothing but junk, while another person can find their new favorite collectible to add to their collection. Once again, the important thing to remember is that if someone is willing to pay money for it, then it is a collectible.
Just as important as what you collect is the way your collection is displayed. Collectors have entire rooms dedicated to their collectibles. Toy train collectors will spend years putting together an entire train setup complete with buildings, trees, streets, people and, of course, the train system. Others will use their entire home to spread out their collectibles. Either way, collectors take the utmost pride in their collections irregardless of what they collect. Collectors are aware that if lost or stolen, some of their collectibles are irreplaceable. Insurance companies even have addendums that can be added to homeowner’s insurance policies to insure a collector’s collection. Due to age and rarity, some collections are so valuable that they have their own insurance policy.
Most of the time, collectors don’t start out by thinking “I’m going to start collecting something… I’ll chose teacups!” Rather, they simply feel drawn towards teacups, and find themselves in awe of the many different types and styles. From there, the teacup lover will start hording teacups that he or she sees in yard sales or at the store. This is how a collector is born. If you are always looking at a particular item, or you are intrigued by the thought of having all of the different types, then look up some more information. If you find that there are many different types of that item that can be bought and sold, then perhaps it is time to let out the collector in you!
Collecting items of value has become quite the American pastime. This is also a way for the older generation to pass down some history to the younger generation. It is important that this hobby continues to be an important part of our culture so that history can live on from generation to generation. So, if you feel the urge to collect something, don’t suppress it as some kind of foreign urge. Embrace it, and start doing more research and shopping to find out how you can become a real collector. It is a fun and rewarding hobby.
About the Author
Learn about japanese blueberry, magnolia yellow bird and other information at the Gardening Central site.
|
|
Thomas the Train: Zip, Zoom, and Logging Adventure $43.95 This enormous play set allows your child to re-enact Thomas’ adventures from the new “Misty Island Rescue” DVD through winding turns, steep climbs, motorized train play, and plenty of action! Thomas motors around winding turns, soars across a zip line and through tree trunk tunnels. Or use the switch track to send him to the train-powered log mill where Thomas’ motor moves logs u… |
|
|
Barbie Collector Twilight Saga Bella Doll $25.99 The movie Twilight tells the tale of teenage romance between mortal Bella Swan and the intriguing and dazzlingly beautiful vampire, Edward Cullen. With long brunette locks, an innocent expression, and her trademark outfit from the film (stylish jeans, sneaks, and a gray jacket), the Twilight Bella doll epitomizes her namesake. Add both dolls to your collection to reunite them for eternity!… |
|
|
Barbie Collector Twilight Saga Eclipse Alice Doll $24.99 Barbie Collector Twilight Saga Eclipse Alice Doll: Pink Label Collection Stephenie Meyer’s story continues with Eclipse, the third movie in the Twilight saga. Inspired by characters from the #1 New York Times bestselling Twilight book series and new movie Eclipse. From The Twilight Saga: Eclipse comes Alice Cullen, Edward Cullen’s sister. Petite with delicate features, illuminating golden eyes, sh… |
|
|
Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure Pack – Darklight Crypt $16.95 bBring your Skylanders to life!/bFrozen in our world. Alive in Theirs. For Generations, the Skylanders have used their magical powers and weapons to protect Skylands. But now, an evil tyrant has frozen them and banished them to Earth. Only you can put them on the Portal of Power and bring them to life to save Skylands forever.Build the ultimate army of Skylanders 30+ Skylanders to collect! Each Sk… |
|
|
Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II $19.99 Just when the Z Fighters thought the struggle against evil was over, a new evil approaches. In this RPG, the next episode in the Z Fighters’ quest to rid the universe of evil, players will take on the role of Trunks, Goku, Gohan, Piccolo or Vegeta as they journey through the Cell Saga and prepare to do battle with the mighty Cell himself. Train, fight and fulfill quests as players advance their wa… |
|
|
The Cat in the Hat $3.99 He may be an old standby, but he never lets us down. When in doubt, turn to the story of the cat that transformed a dull, rainy afternoon into a magical and just-messy-enough adventure. There’s another, hidden adventure, too: this book really will help children learn to read. With his simple and often single-vowel vocabulary, the good Doctor knew what he was doing: hear it, learn it, read it… |
|
|
The Rainbow Fish $11.48 If you read this very popular book just before bed, and the light is still on in the hallway, you can make the rainbow scales glitter on the page, and realize why the Rainbow Fish was so proud of his beautiful decoration. Sometimes, though, being too proud of outside beauty can blind a fish, or a child (or even, heaven forbid, a parent) to the beauty people hold inside. That’s the lesson of t… |
|
|
Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2012 (Greenberg’s Pocket Price Guide Lionel Trains) $11.77 This is the one handy pocket guide that collectors need before buying, selling, or trading any Lionel toy train or accessory. The latest edition of the famous Greenberg’s Guide lists current prices and other invaluable reference info for prewar, postwar, and modern trains as well as collectible boxes…. |
