The world is full of interesting curiosities, for those with the eyes to see. While most of us would take the various things around us for granted, there are some folks out there who devote time and energy to gathering, collecting, and sorting.
We’ve gathered some of the most interesting collections of items netizens have shared online. From emergency escape signs to hot sauces of the world, get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and if you have something you enjoy collecting, feel free to share about it in the comments section. We also got in touch with professor and avid collector Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. to learn more.
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Finally Got Shelves For My Collection Of Antique Colored Glass
So nice to display them in the window where the sun can help show off their luminosity.
Hopefully without burning down the house! 🔎https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image1-3.gif
Load More Replies...Beautiful 😻 as someone who has worked with antiques since she was 14, this quite a beautiful display!!
Every Issue Of National Geographic Since 1888
For some reason my brain thought that recliner on the left was someone's finger, making the scale of these books teeny tiny. Weird.
So jealous. My grandparents used to buy my Dad a subscription every year for Christmas, then my parents did the same for me until I moved abroad and the cost of a foreign sub was way too much. I now get digital, which isn't the same, but better than nothing. I remember I was allowed to read them but only after Dad got them first, you weren't allowed to take it out of its paper wrapper or plastic cover, Dad has to first.
The collection in this picture does not seem to be large enough.
My 100% Complete Collection Of Every LEGO Shield Ever Made
Bored Panda got in touch with professor and avid collector Shirley M. Mueller, M.D from Collectorbrain.com to learn more about why people make collections in the first place. “It is, I believe, a combination of genetics, environment, experiences, and nostalgia all rolled into one,” she shared,
“They are not divided equally in terms of contribution. It is almost always more of one than another. Which one is more dominant in any one person is difficult to determine.” Nevertheless, it’s quite evident that humans do like large piles of things, while only some insist on gathering large piles of the same thing.
My Mad Magazine Collection. Need 17 More For All 1700* U.S. Published Official Mads. They Include All The Inserts Attached And All Variants
I’m sure if OP posted which ones he needed we’d all at least run to our bookshelves to see if we had it. I’d send it to him for free. Support fellow panda nerds, worldwide.
Load More Replies...OP on Reddit: "So i have a collecting plan for my 50s. i am missing the most expensive ones , i need 1-17 . i did this strategically , im allowing myself 2 MAD comics per year for the next 10 years , this keeps me in the hunt and having fun , and it keeps me from spending irresponsibly and on a budget. so by the time im 60 i will have a complete run .....which includes all issues (regular and specials), all hard and soft covers, ALL variants, ALL inserts attached , and ALL PaperBacks (644 of them)"
Here’s A Collection You’ve Probably Never Seen Before. This Is My Elevator Button Collection!
They knew something with elevators but they had to put their finger on it.
Load More Replies...My Yixing Teapot Collection
I want your shelf. Edit to add: Tell us where you got your shelf.
They got lucky at an antique store. So keep your eyes open!
Load More Replies...We were also curious to hear her thoughts on the line between collection as a hobby and as an obsession. “In a word, 95% of collectors or more enjoy their collection. The remaining few, less than 5%, include hoarders who do not experience pleasure when they gather objects as collectors do.”
My Collection Of Tiny Things
This is adorable but I am really wondering how do you keep the dust away? Or do you actually regularly take every piece and clean them? It takes me forever to clean my shelves even though I ain't storing much, I would never be able to do that
Would be a great idea to put a pane of glass over it
Load More Replies...My mom had one of these in the 80's. I loved looking at all the little things she collected and put in there.
This is my favorite, I love tiny stuff. Also furthest row left, 16 down.... Is Link, and I always love Link.....
My Collection Of Hand Carved Cameos
I love cameos and when I find one in nice condition I'll usually buy it. I have a nice little collection now.
My Collection Of Exit Signs (And A Few Fire Safety Signs)
You know what would make this collection even better? A picture hung underneath each sign of a person suffering the consequences of that particular sign having been removed! Unless that wasn't possible bc these signs were purchased and gifted. You do realise signs can be purchased right?
Load More Replies...“Instead, what hoarders accumulate becomes an emotional and physical burden (since the household becomes overcrowded and displeasing to everyone). On the other hand, what collectors select, organize and display is satisfying to them, and, generally, the rest of the world. Whether one would call this a line or not can be debated, but it certainly is a difference.”
My Beloved Vintage Camera Collection
Oh my gosh! These are amazing! My entire collection only sums up to about half of this
My FIL was an old time watch repairman and taught me how to repair pocket watches. That started me on collecting and repairing them to running condition. I HAD a collection of over 500, many from the 1800s. When moving from my old house to my new one, someone broke in and stole the entire collection. No luck finding them even though I have a record of each including serial numbers. New collection has started and I'm up to 20 so far.
Maybe put them behind glass to avoid dust? Since these are not just for decoration, they also have a function
Of the 19 cameras, at least 7 use unobtainable obsolete film, 3 are 8mm movie cameras (questionable usefulness outside of art projects). I believe the other 9 use 120/125 format film, which is still widely available.
Load More Replies...That brown shelving unit looks like its bowing out on the side and may collapse.
My Collection Of Miniature Chairs
Wizard Of Oz Book Collection
My grade school had a full set of the white bound ones... I read some and let me tell you Frank L Baum was a dark guy... Those aren't happy kid books
Same with Roald Dahl. He had a tragic life and except "Matilda", his books are creepy.
Load More Replies...This makes me smile. I always have loved the wizard of oz
Given the variety of things people gather, we wanted to know what was the most interesting thing she has seen collected. “This is a fascinating question and something I have been thinking about. It is body tattoos. In fact, museum exhibits have even featured this subject. There was one at the New York Historical Society in 2017 which focused special attention on women and tattoos. There have been other exhibits like it throughout the world. The visuals in these displays are exotic and even titillating.”
My Nature/Sand/Dirt Collection From Around The World
And not anyone mixing them up or in need if some soil and borrowing them.. 😅🙃
Load More Replies...Isn't this illegal? I mean taking dirt from a foreign country? I know it sounds ridiculous, but my brain is screaming at me that I read this somewhere... OK EDIT: I googled it and holy kreb there are so many regulations for "travelling with soil samples". And at least in the US it's absolutely prohibited, unless you are a farmer with a permit to do it
My dad brought a soil sample back from Madagascar like 20 years ago. He didn't even think about it until he got to US customs. It was late at night, and he was one of the last people going through. He declared the jar of dirt to customs, and was like, "But I PROMISE, I will seal up this jar with tape and NEVER EVER EVER open it, and--" and the customs guy was like, "Just go." He only wanted to go home. lol The collection above is in small enough containers that OP would never get caught by customs unless they declared it on purpose - though let's hope that none of the friends they show off their collection to turn out to be customs agents! :D
Load More Replies...Whats great about collecting dirt is you can take it from anywhere. My collection has my childhood home yard dirt, my grandpas grave dirt, South Carolina sand dirt from my son's biological family's yard.
That takes a lot of "grit" sorry couldn't help myself, different strokes for different folks I say.
Me too! Not as nicely but I also have dirt or sand from places I've lived!
Some Of My Hot Sauce Collection
Serious question- won't those go bad? Then do you keep the jar to show you had it? Do you have to replace every year or whenever it expires?
They might be empty bottles. I keep one of every kind of gin I've ever bought or been given
Load More Replies...I Collect Coins, Veeeery Old Coins
I also collect coins. I have at least one from every country in the world that produces coins.
Shirley left us with some parting thoughts. “Collecting is a passion that is additive to life. Through it, people can fill their leisure time in pursuit of objects that interest and inform them. This collection which represents the personality of the collector himself or herself can then perpetuate the memory of the collector at death. What could be better?” If you would want to read more, check out her book, and her other articles, or visit her blog.
My Dice Collection
My partner is a D&D and magic the gathering kinda guy so I might have to show him this.... he has some really cool dice
Toy Cameramen
Another One But Don’t Have Any Room
I'm so jealous, I only have three of these in my camera collection so far
I have a couple vintage Polaroid cameras but where can you find the century 21 branded ones?? So cool
Naturally, someone out there has the largest collection of something. For example, Bettina Dorfmann of Düsseldorf, Germany is the world leader in Barbie Dolls, with over 15,000 in her collection. One wonders if the recent film made the value of her hobby skyrocket. If yes, good for her.
Things That Make Me Happy And Bring Nostalgia!
When you see things from your adulthood being referred to with nostalgia...
My Bourbon Collection
I have a buddy with a similar collection. Every new years eve we pick a new bottle to open and toast in the new year. We'll have a glass of that bottle a few times a year
Load More Replies...I could do one every two days. Looks like it'd probably take me two, maybe three years to knock them all out.
Load More Replies...Some Turtles 🐢🐢🐢
For older items, as one can expect, you will have to frequent thrift stores. Unfortunately, more valuable items can be hard to get, as collectors grab them up. So the best bet is to simply explore thirst stores, garage sales, and other, similar venues in the hope of securing a great deal. It’s more possible than you might think.
Really Large Amount Of Things Going There Though
Here Is My Collection Of Smoll Pencils. The 4 On The Right Are Too Big And Currently In Use Until They Fit
Here's A Weird One: My Collection Of Afro Dogs!
I thought you meant, you know, a '70s version of Barbie's Ken with an afro. Googled it for a fun pic and found this Afro Ken silliness and I can't stop smiling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vp0CJtycSs
Load More Replies...Obviously, the value of a Barbie doll comes from the fact that there are collectors who are interested in it. This is still, for better or worse, a small market. Items with more clear resale value are, naturally, harder to buy. For example, the largest jewelry collection in the world, at least by value, belonged to Austrian philanthropist and art collector Heidi Horten. Around the time of her passing, it was valued at around $150 million.
A Few Cameras From My 130+ Collection
My Display Cabinet Makes It Look Like They're In A Police Line Up
looks like that one Brooklyn 99 "i want it that way" meme especially with the characters poses :D
Please tell me you quietly take them out at night and play with them...
My Pink Calculator Collection
I currently have a pink one on my desk as well. I got it at the Dollar Store. (For $1) ;)
This is perhaps why so many collectors focus on more niche items. First and foremost, it’s more accessible than, say, jewelry. At the same time, this also allows someone to create an actually unique collection that stands out. Plus, if you are the world leader in, say, misprinted stop signs, it does ascribe a certain kind of expertise.
Starbucks City Mugs
Saw a video of a guy who had a literal room full of mugs on three of his walls. He also had a giant stack in the center of the room, due to the walls being full. A camera crew was interviewing him on his immense collection. The guy with the boom mic, went up a little too far and it caught in the ceiling fan and proceeded to spin around smashing every cup on the walls. He finally caught it. I was thinking to myself (after the shock) well at least he still has the stack in the middle of the room. The boom mic operator stopped the spinning mike and furiously yanked on the boom....and boom...he pulled and the mic dropped right on the pile, smashing the rest of his collection in a truly efficient manner.
I cared for the Guinness world record holder for most coffee cups after he aged. When he moved to assisted living, getting rid of his collection became a huge job... I should have just had this camera crew come
Load More Replies...pretty sure everyone collects mugs for father's day or mother's day...
Ya but these are Starbucks city mugs! We collect them as well, on our travels
Load More Replies...Collection Of Tiny Pigs
I Have 62 Copies Of The 2001 Cinematic Masterpiece Pearl Harbor
For those wondering, OP has said: It was my comfort movie growing up, I started to notice copies at every thrift store I went to so I started by getting a “back up copy” then it just became a game to find them. THEN I saw the Titanic dude on tiktok and decided to see how many I can end up with... I never buy online. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt finding them in thrift stores and flea markets. I’ve been doing this like 2-3 years.
Probably also cheap - that movie was godawful when it came out and saw whole bins of discounted dvds of it at Poundland and the like.
I think it's a roomba vacuum in its charging station.
Load More Replies...My father served at Pearl Harbor. He saw the movie and thought it was absolute c**p.
That being said, people really will collect anything, up to the point where it starts to seem like something else. For example, the world’s largest toilet paper collection is held by Flo and Richard Newman of Boston. While this could be just a collection, a passion project of sorts, it does also feel like they are stocking up for the apocalypse. Any seasoned collector knows that, ultimately, it can be pretty hard to actually store one’s things. At a certain point, you have to start sacrificing space and eventually rooms in your home. Depending on the value, you might even want to purchase insurance or additional security. Although most burglars don’t have the capacity to lift thousands of bottles of hot sauce.
My Bouncy Ball Collection
My House's Ever-Growing Collection Of Board Games!
My Sterling Silver Fountain Pens
Part Of My B&w Figure Collection
I'm Collecting Little Birds With Hats. Why? Because I Love Them
My Slowly But Surely Growing Collection Of Natural Things And Finds
ooohhh... colour me jealous... i want a raven skull! (naturally sourced, NOT hunted)
Here's A Weird One, I Actually Collect The Little Crystal Thingies Inside Cd Players, Along With Lenses From Cameras, Prisms From Cameras, Etc
I can’t really tell what the little crystal thingies inside CD players are.
This Is My Collection Of Playing Cards
My Banana Label Collection - More Than 22,000 Different Labels
If you want to contact the collector click on the little name on the left under the picture; Becky1949. It should take you to the original Reddit post where you can then comment or message the collector directly. I'm sure they would love help growing their collection.
Load More Replies...My Beloved Model Horse Collection!
Hope You Like My 1:1 Horror Collection
WOAHHHHHH <---indie horror fan but also I like this so much :0
I Collect Colored Can Tabs And Here’s My Collection So Far
My Childhood Uglydoll Collection
My Current Tech Deck Finger Skateboard Collection (293)
I Collect Nintendo Related Merchandise. Heres Just A Part Of My Collection/Game Room
I Collect Dog Themed Cookie Jars
Nothing Specific, I Just Like Collecting Things That Catch My Eye. Have A Great Day Everyone!
holy moly I didn’t even see your comment. great minds or something like that.
Load More Replies...Rubik's Cube Collection
Finally Got Some Shelves For My Garfield Collection!
I STILL like Garfield - and I'm well over 70! Anyone who's lazy, fat, cynical, and greedy can't be bad.
Aww i collected Garfields but mum threw them out when she thought I was "too old" to have them.
I only have one Garfield plush and it's a knockoff. named him garfielf. he's my handsome lil boi
I have a huge Garfield collection, my favorite fictional character! I don't have quite that many plush ones though.
Added Some Small Shelves For My Helmets
One of those homes where if someone breaks in, the owner is like... "I've waited years for this opportunity... choose your weapon, knave, and I'll have at you."
My Guitar Hero Controllers
Bar Key Collection From Ten Years In The Industry
I Have A Random Boston Pizza Fishbowl Full Of Things That I Really Like There A Old Hotel Key To Where I Used To Live All The Way To My Exs Colone Bottle Because I Love The Smell
My Collection Of Starships, Action Figures And Dvd’s From My Childhood Home; My Parents Kept It Just The Way I Left It
My mom redid my bedroom as soon as I moved out. My poor record collection from the 80's got warped when she left them somewhere too warm. :(
Current Family Room/Pez Room. Most Stuff Is On Display. About 250-300 Pez And Non Pez Dispenser Items Still Need To Go Up. This Is Approx 2,800 Different Dispensers On Display
My Mom And I Are Collecting Sugar Packets, Mainly Those With A Café's/Restaurant's Logo On Them
We did this when I was in high school. Started when we were on a school excursion to the city and passed a number of cafes with them.
A Very Outdated Picture Of My Bounty Paper Towels Collection. Oldest Roll Is From 1965
I Collect Slippers
One Of My Mother’s Many Collections
Metal Spinning Tops!
I had a pressed tin "singing top" when I was a kid. It had a mechanical plunger on the top that would spin it up and it would emit a low hum for as long as it was spinning fast enough.
Nobody Cares, But I Used To Collect These Little Figurines Called U.b. Funkeys For Years. Among My Collection Are Some Of The Rarest Ones On Earth
I Feel Like My Furby Collection Could Be Appreciated Here…
Squeeze Toy Aliens From Toy Story ⨀⨀⨀
My Kids’ Eraser Collections
My Collection Of Vintage Mobile Phones, Ongoing Since 2006!
They started getting bigger after video streaming became common
Load More Replies...My Nintendo Switch Games Collection
I didn't realize there were that many cartridge games for the Switch! So many more online only now.
My Slowly Growing Bottle Cap Collection
I Know This Might Not Be The Strangest Collection Y'all May Have Seen, But Here's My Peep Collection!
My Little Tree Collection
My Ceramic Fish Collection
I have one, was my mum and dads...similar to the one on the end, but a bit different
This Is Not My *entire* Kitkat Collection, But It’s My Most Recent Picture From About 3 Years Ago
My Collection Of Bicycle Playing Cards!
Bicycle decks are the most common brand in my playing card collection. I have 270 Rider Back decks and another 83 Bicycle decks. I have a total of 1243 decks at this time. The picture is 128 of the Rider Back decks. rider-back...6afa61.jpg
Updated Wall! Definitely Running Out Of Space!
Incomplete Collection
This Is My Collections Of Collections
Nobody: Me:
Is This Collection A Red Flag For A Single Millennial?
Grinders, yes, meat, veges, dry bread for breadcrumbs....lots of uses
Load More Replies...Stuff I Collect
My Sauce Packet Collection
My sister used to have a tomato sauce 'collection' but she kept it in her wallet and they burst open. She had to ditch the wallet and didn't start collecting again.
OMG they have a Mcdonalds Szechwan Sauce not sure if its the original from the Mulan movie or the re-release due to Rick and Morty but thats actually hard as heck to find.
173 Spoons Are Ready, With A Million More Well On The Way
The cheap plastic kind? All same color? Can get 50 for $1... seems wasteful. What makes it special? Are they used?
A bet with a camp counsellor apparently. They said if the OP made a suit of armor out of plastic spoons, the counsellor would give OP a plastic sword.
Load More Replies...My collection of early Twentieth Century phonographs. 1-Entire-C...901be3.jpg
i collect stickers, origami lucky stars, jewelry, and lego crystal peices!
i collect touristic fridge magnets. perfect souvenir. i have around 300. Also a very lame collection of about 10 touristic snow globes :-D edit: and i live with a vinyl hoarder :-D proud of you bebe!
I have a collection of Jessica Rabbit pins, either Disney park approved or from outside sources. At last count, I've just passed the 300 mark, with no plans to ever stop
I started collecting the M&M Christmas ornaments when they started selling them on top of the tubes. I can not only now decorate an entire tree, I also have a huge collection of all things M&M. Lots of dispensers, pillows, clothes, you name it. My brother has not failed in gifting me something for the collection since I started.
My wall of Redline Hot Wheels era track sets. 423568596_...73bc43.jpg
My collection of early Twentieth Century phonographs. 1-Entire-C...901be3.jpg
i collect stickers, origami lucky stars, jewelry, and lego crystal peices!
i collect touristic fridge magnets. perfect souvenir. i have around 300. Also a very lame collection of about 10 touristic snow globes :-D edit: and i live with a vinyl hoarder :-D proud of you bebe!
I have a collection of Jessica Rabbit pins, either Disney park approved or from outside sources. At last count, I've just passed the 300 mark, with no plans to ever stop
I started collecting the M&M Christmas ornaments when they started selling them on top of the tubes. I can not only now decorate an entire tree, I also have a huge collection of all things M&M. Lots of dispensers, pillows, clothes, you name it. My brother has not failed in gifting me something for the collection since I started.
My wall of Redline Hot Wheels era track sets. 423568596_...73bc43.jpg
