It's very simple really. The basic reason anyone collects is because they like something. They have an affinity for it. This should be your primary reason. The only way you will truly be able to grow a collection is to learn as much as you can about the subject. The only way you can continue to learn is to have a passion for the subject. Whether you collect signed Star Trek comics (mine, on the left, all signed by the penciller Gordon Purcell) or military buttons, it doesn't matter. There are so many resources out there that you will soon find that you are becoming an expert on your subject.
One of the other reasons I like to collect is that I get to share. Just recently I started my granddaughter into the coin collecting field. Your hobby can be inexpensive and easy to accumulate (try finding a penny from every year since WW11, I bet you can do it in a month) to ridiculously expensive (high end and rare art). If you've ever tried finding a common interest with a 12 year old girl you'll find you may be able to create a conversation starter. You could interest her in Justin Bieber posters! I bet you get her attention then. Take a son or a daughter to a garage sale and give them $5. Ask them to find their one favourite thing. I guarantee you'll have that kid begging to go with you again. (Don't put any restrictions on them, you can do some research with them later).
You don't have to justify your collection to anyone. It's for you, no one else. Possibly the most enjoyable part of collecting is getting close to finishing part of a collection. You only need the Pavel Bure rookie card from the 1991 Upper Deck series to finish you collection of "Every Russian Rookie Card of every Russian that ever played in the NHL" See, you just made up your own category! Even if no one else has ever collected a specific set like this, you can. You know what? You just became the expert on Russian Rookie cards.
Many people collect because it brings back memories. Old toys, dolls, lunch boxes, TV related memorabilia; you'll end up collecting what you remember, what made you feel good when you were a kid. You grew up in the 60's? Your favourite show was Bonanza? You can collect cards, pistols, lunch kits, plates, knives, autographs, clothing, props, etc, etc. Your only limit is your imagination and your budget. (Quite often, your budget takes a kicking).
In short, you can collect anything your heart desires. If you'r e like me, you'll have several collections. Some are small, some large, some complete and some will never be finished. Some I'll grow tired of and sell, some I'll keep forever. So if you're looking for a place to talk about collecting and need a question answered, I'll be pleased to try and answer it for you. I may not know it off the top of my head, but I get to find out the answers and learn some more about some other kind of collecting. Hope to see you or hear from you soon. Thecollectordude!
Watch for the next post "How to start a collection"
One of the other reasons I like to collect is that I get to share. Just recently I started my granddaughter into the coin collecting field. Your hobby can be inexpensive and easy to accumulate (try finding a penny from every year since WW11, I bet you can do it in a month) to ridiculously expensive (high end and rare art). If you've ever tried finding a common interest with a 12 year old girl you'll find you may be able to create a conversation starter. You could interest her in Justin Bieber posters! I bet you get her attention then. Take a son or a daughter to a garage sale and give them $5. Ask them to find their one favourite thing. I guarantee you'll have that kid begging to go with you again. (Don't put any restrictions on them, you can do some research with them later).
You don't have to justify your collection to anyone. It's for you, no one else. Possibly the most enjoyable part of collecting is getting close to finishing part of a collection. You only need the Pavel Bure rookie card from the 1991 Upper Deck series to finish you collection of "Every Russian Rookie Card of every Russian that ever played in the NHL" See, you just made up your own category! Even if no one else has ever collected a specific set like this, you can. You know what? You just became the expert on Russian Rookie cards.
Many people collect because it brings back memories. Old toys, dolls, lunch boxes, TV related memorabilia; you'll end up collecting what you remember, what made you feel good when you were a kid. You grew up in the 60's? Your favourite show was Bonanza? You can collect cards, pistols, lunch kits, plates, knives, autographs, clothing, props, etc, etc. Your only limit is your imagination and your budget. (Quite often, your budget takes a kicking).
In short, you can collect anything your heart desires. If you'r e like me, you'll have several collections. Some are small, some large, some complete and some will never be finished. Some I'll grow tired of and sell, some I'll keep forever. So if you're looking for a place to talk about collecting and need a question answered, I'll be pleased to try and answer it for you. I may not know it off the top of my head, but I get to find out the answers and learn some more about some other kind of collecting. Hope to see you or hear from you soon. Thecollectordude!
Watch for the next post "How to start a collection"
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