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Some of us are into bowling, others love traveling, nature, or rock hunting. Does that mean you collect all the bowling balls to make a giant pyramid, or gather every single mosquito you’ve ever killed, or arrange the keys of every hotel and motel you’ve ever been to? Well, for these people, it does indeed.

Meet the collectors of the most random items out there, who prove that nothing is off-limits when it comes to human curiosity.

From a shark tooth collection to a collection of every insect found at home in Australia, Bored Panda has compiled a list full of the most bizarre, wonderful, and entertaining assemblages. Scroll down, upvote your favorites, and let us know what you adore collecting in the comment section below!

#1

This Is One Of Several Alphabets Assembled By Belgian Type Designer Clotilde Olyff From Stones Collected At The Beach

This Is One Of Several Alphabets Assembled By Belgian Type Designer Clotilde Olyff From Stones Collected At The Beach

amazon.com , kottke.org Report

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Brett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like how we can just casually buy the whole alphabet in rocks

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#2

A Year Ago, I Started Staying In And Peircing State Quarters, Instead Of Going Out And Getting In Trouble. Here Is My Collection So Far

A Year Ago, I Started Staying In And Peircing State Quarters, Instead Of Going Out And Getting In Trouble. Here Is My Collection So Far

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#3

I Started Feeding Bar Nuts To These Crows That Are Regular To The Patio Of A Bar I Work At. My Collection Of Gifts Finally Started After 3 Months

I Started Feeding Bar Nuts To These Crows That Are Regular To The Patio Of A Bar I Work At. My Collection Of Gifts Finally Started After 3 Months

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It turns out, humans have always been drawn to collecting things. In the 19th century, aristocratic collectors would amass books, zoological and biological specimens, art and decorations that were all considered a status symbol. 

The Victorian era gave birth to the cabinet of curiosities, which referred to space specially designed to arrange, display, and store one’s collectibles. Many of these cabinets have become the first museums that exhibited curated collections.

But the urge to collect things starts as early as our childhood. Most of us had our own little collections of keychains, stamps, or Legos. However, only a few people devote their time and effort to their collected items as they reach adulthood.

#4

My Doctor Has A Kept All The Pictures Kids Have Drawn Of Him

My Doctor Has A Kept All The Pictures Kids Have Drawn Of Him

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#5

My Grandfather's Pencil Sharpener Collection I Inherited

My Grandfather's Pencil Sharpener Collection I Inherited

mattygraddy Report

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Alex Fierro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH I have pretty much that exact globe pencil sharpener at home!!!! It's my pride and joy :D

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#6

Perfectly Round Rocks I Found On The Beach. Bonus: Egg, Dorito, And Watermelon Rock

Perfectly Round Rocks I Found On The Beach. Bonus: Egg, Dorito, And Watermelon Rock

lbm216 Report

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For many, it offers the thrill of the hunt, which draws them in. Most collectors develop an emotional attachment to their objects where each one carries a story. Ask a record collector about their display, and they will happily tell you a two-hour-long story about the first vinyl they got their hands onto.

Nostalgia may also be the driving force of collecting, and it’s usually visible in the historical collections that require a great deal of knowledge and context.

#7

This Is My Periodic Table Of Elements With Actual Elements

This Is My Periodic Table Of Elements With Actual Elements

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#8

This Man's Collection Of Lost Apples Varieties

This Man's Collection Of Lost Apples Varieties

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Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My stepfather rescued the Shipley Apple by finding a long lost grove on the backside of his wood lot. They were world famous and a deep purple skin.

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#9

Over The Past 15 Years My Dad Collected 1,785 Bowling Balls And Built A Giant Bowling Ball Pyramid

Over The Past 15 Years My Dad Collected 1,785 Bowling Balls And Built A Giant Bowling Ball Pyramid

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#10

Collection Of Reference Seeds Found In My Grandad’s Attic

Collection Of Reference Seeds Found In My Grandad’s Attic

HungryBanana07 Report

#11

My Grandma With Her Birdhouse Collection

My Grandma With Her Birdhouse Collection

Moeiekoe Report

#12

The Product Of 15 Years Collecting Shedded Antlers From The Woods

The Product Of 15 Years Collecting Shedded Antlers From The Woods

Baker359 Report

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BusLady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I'm glad to know they were just found. No animals died for that collection.

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#13

Since The Late 80s, My Office Has Been Collecting Used Staples That Were Removed From Documents That Needed To Be Microfilmed/Scanned. Here Is That Collection

Since The Late 80s, My Office Has Been Collecting Used Staples That Were Removed From Documents That Needed To Be Microfilmed/Scanned. Here Is That Collection

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#15

Some Of My Favorite Arrowheads. Amazing Little Pieces Of History Collected On Our Private Property In Southern Arizona

Some Of My Favorite Arrowheads. Amazing Little Pieces Of History Collected On Our Private Property In Southern Arizona

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BusLady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a variety. I can't help but think of the people who carved these so long ago.

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Abhainn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's called Knapping. it's too hard to carve. Knapping is the (very fine) technique of smacking a heavy, round rock into the chunk of flint or obsidian (etc.) what's supposed to happen is a "Flake" comes off. Then using finer tuned tools, the craftsman chips off smaller and smaller bits till the Flake is the proper shape. I too wonder about the people who created these and used them as a part of their everyday life.

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Owen Salmon2028
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love collecting rocks and gems and arrow heads and bottle caps am i odd im only 10

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Ashley Scullion
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are not odd at all! You should ask your parents for a metal detector. I think you'd have a lot of fun with all the cool stuff you'll find.

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Strangepotato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandmother grew up on a farm and there were many arrowheads in the field behind her. So we just have a box filled with a bunch of arrowheads.

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Mimi777
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve always loved arrow heads ever since I was a kid. I grew up in Kentucky and my dad has found a handful of them fishing

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JessG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Small but cool collection. My Dad has thousands and thousands of them. Goes out digging whenever he can.

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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My step dad died in 2000. He had a bunch he got from the Tennessee river in the '60's as a kid. It is illegal to do that now. No idea what happened to them.

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Chris Arlott
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just think of all that history that used to be able to roam free on your now private property :(

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ironic to state "our private property" here. Unless you're Native, I think descendants of the people who crafted those arrowheads may have something to say about that.

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Susan Miller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many years ago I read about flint knapping the "The Clan of the Cave Bear". I was able to watch this done at a Native American celebration a few years later, and knew exactly what they were doing from the earlier description. It's an amazing art!

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okpkpkp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My uncle had me search along a tributary of the Columbia River in south-central Washington in 1966 where I found three arrowheads. But... I think my uncle was out there the day before "salting" the area for my benefit.

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Diana Jansen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such beauties! And so much you can learn just by the picture! Seems like one or two got heated in a fire to make them sharper and more than one was retouched to use for a longer period!

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Meami
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We used to find arrowheads on our property in Washington State. The tribe requested them and we honored that request.

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Barbara Jones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Mother collects arrowheads, they are fascinating and beautiful little pieces of history.

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Harleen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can find some awesome stuff in AZ, but PRO TIP: you absolutely MUST know where you are. It's illegal to take some of these finds from state parks and Tribal land. It sounds basic, but you'd be amazed how many tourists don't know this.

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just a hamilfan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm Native American but not from Arizona (Cherokee and wyandotte)

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you allowed to keep them or are you supposed to clear them with the authorities first?

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Iapetos
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone must have been carving those meticulously just so they could get lost in some enemy's skull.

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They were made foremost for hunting. All humans have to eat, you know.

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#16

2 Years Of Collecting Sea Glass

2 Years Of Collecting Sea Glass

BlueDingoMagic Report

#17

I'm 14 And Here Is A Picture Of Me And My Chess Medals

I'm 14 And Here Is A Picture Of Me And My Chess Medals

NXHQA Report

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Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is more of a flex than an unusual collection, but congrats, that's impressive!

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#18

My Four-Leaf-Clover Collection (Plus A Couple Five-Leafers In The Middle)

My Four-Leaf-Clover Collection (Plus A Couple Five-Leafers In The Middle)

mardo4 Report

#19

My Girlfriend Cleaning Her Monopoly Collection

My Girlfriend Cleaning Her Monopoly Collection

She has about 600. There are some duplicates and most are sealed. The oldest one is from the 1940’s I think. My favorite is the Harley Davidson one which weighs about 20 pounds

eoin27 Report

#20

My Shark Tooth Collection

My Shark Tooth Collection

I found them all on the beach

000Demon000 Report

#21

My Sand And Dirt Collection From Every Place I Visited

My Sand And Dirt Collection From Every Place I Visited

jkarnsy Report

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Elie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just as a warning, don't take sand from Hawaii or you'll get cursed by the goddess Pele. Oh and it's also illegal here.

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#22

The Airbnb That I’m Staying In Has A Collection Of Rubber Ducks In The Bathroom Wall

The Airbnb That I’m Staying In Has A Collection Of Rubber Ducks In The Bathroom Wall

toast_but_cool Report

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RavenClaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow.. As a kid i only had one rubber ducky named cheddar .. was my favorite .. but this stupid girl i thought was my friend stole it from me .. I loved the duck so much that theirs a picture of him on my bedroom wall.. kinda cheesy huh.. no pun intended

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#23

I Helped My Dad Alphabetize His Vinyl Collection

I Helped My Dad Alphabetize His Vinyl Collection

mr_gr1mm Report

#24

My 100% Complete Collection Of Every LEGO Shield Ever Made

My 100% Complete Collection Of Every LEGO Shield Ever Made

Tusserte Report

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Efraim Ondrej Kubik
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is missing the shields from Knights Kingdom (regular and McDonald's also) but anyway, amazing!

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#25

My History Teacher's Presidential PEZ Collection

My History Teacher's Presidential PEZ Collection

ParanormalPoptart Report

#26

This Collection Of Objects Swallowed By Children

This Collection Of Objects Swallowed By Children

boxesofcats- Report

#27

Marble Collection From The 1800s. All Made From Polished Semi-Precious Stones

Marble Collection From The 1800s. All Made From Polished Semi-Precious Stones

ExcitingTopic Report

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BusLady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of work went into making those. Imagine all the kids who had fun playing with those.

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#28

Weapons Collection From The Royal Armouries In Leeds, UK

Weapons Collection From The Royal Armouries In Leeds, UK

mwng2020 Report

#29

This Is My Gameboy Mosaic Made Out Of Gameboy Games. Note: No Games Were Harmed And All Are Removable And Playable

This Is My Gameboy Mosaic Made Out Of Gameboy Games. Note: No Games Were Harmed And All Are Removable And Playable

Mezmoron Report

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Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

**Low Disclaimer Voice** No games were harmed in the making of this wall.

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#30

My (87-Years-Old) Father's "Ugly" Golf Ball Collection

My (87-Years-Old) Father's "Ugly" Golf Ball Collection

My old man, who is now pushing 90 and can't get out to play anymore, was always the guy who would hit his shot, then poke around in the woods and ponds looking for golf balls. He saved buckets of good golf balls, but his real pride and joy is his collection of "ugly golf balls". He was overjoyed any time he'd find a rotten old ball that had been hit by a mower and left to decay. The guy got a hole-in-one once, complete with a big plaque. He promptly lost that golf ball. But he invites strangers into his home to show them his ugly golf ball collection. It's the little things!

AmishAirline Report

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#31

Local Pharmacy Has A Display Of Antique Medicines

Local Pharmacy Has A Display Of Antique Medicines

Lnzy1 Report

#33

Friend's Mom In Australia Has A Collection Of What She Found In Her Home

Friend's Mom In Australia Has A Collection Of What She Found In Her Home

dimkaberlin Report

#34

My Granddad's Tool Collection In His Shed

My Granddad's Tool Collection In His Shed

Mirither Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the neatest tool collection I have ever seen. I lent one screw driver to my brother, and the next thing I know, all my screw drivers have dispersed.

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#35

I Collect Food Shaped Erasers

I Collect Food Shaped Erasers

SecretAgentKatManx Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This brings back happy memories. As a kid, I used to collect all sorts of fancy erasers. I never used them. I just kept them in a jar. Yours is much nicer, I must say.

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#36

My Aunt Has A Spoon Collection That Has A Tiny Spoon Collection Right Above It

My Aunt Has A Spoon Collection That Has A Tiny Spoon Collection Right Above It

EsachIsLearning Report

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David Retsler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never saw a spoon collection with its own collection of spoons.

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#37

My Dad's Little Metal Detecting Museum

My Dad's Little Metal Detecting Museum

Wessel-P Report

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BusLady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That metal detector was a good investment. Also a hobby that he clearly enjoys.

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#38

My Entire Bow Tie Collection, Minus The One I'm Wearing Now

My Entire Bow Tie Collection, Minus The One I'm Wearing Now

jeremiah213 Report

#39

My Mom Collects Sand From Beaches All Over The World

My Mom Collects Sand From Beaches All Over The World

Chamaleon Report

#40

A Small Part Of My Vintage Camera Collection

A Small Part Of My Vintage Camera Collection

MrRabinowitz Report

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BusLady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a similar collection, but unfortunately they were damaged in a flood. Made me sick.

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#41

My Game Collection Is Finally Out Of Storage! Wife Surprised Me By Building Shelves As An Anniversary Gift Today

My Game Collection Is Finally Out Of Storage! Wife Surprised Me By Building Shelves As An Anniversary Gift Today

uncleseeth Report

#42

An Array Of Cake Pans Collected In The Lifetime Of My Late Grandmother Taken From A Roof Top

An Array Of Cake Pans Collected In The Lifetime Of My Late Grandmother Taken From A Roof Top

alxs21492 Report

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BusLady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could sale them and make a lot of bakers happy. I have a decent collection myself, some of which have been in my family for generations.

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#43

My Dice Collection

My Dice Collection

dr_lugh Report

#44

My Grandfather Used All Of His Hotel/Motel Keys He Received From His Job As A Travelling Salesman And Made Them Into A Map Of The US

My Grandfather Used All Of His Hotel/Motel Keys He Received From His Job As A Travelling Salesman And Made Them Into A Map Of The US

llamantha Report

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Sue Hazlewood
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did he not know you are supposed to hand them in at the desk when you check out?

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#45

Someone Had All The Failed Presidential Candidates Bumper Stickers On Their Car

Someone Had All The Failed Presidential Candidates Bumper Stickers On Their Car

kefkaownsall Report

#46

My Dad's Lifelong Collection Of Matchbooks

My Dad's Lifelong Collection Of Matchbooks

rukittenmerightmeow- Report

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Sue Hazlewood
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to collect match boxes too but had so many and nowhere to store them so off loaded them all.

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#47

The Only Remaining Picture Of My Childhood Star Wars Collection

The Only Remaining Picture Of My Childhood Star Wars Collection

FancyPantsBlanton Report

#48

My Copy Editor Father's Collection Of Worn Down Pencils

My Copy Editor Father's Collection Of Worn Down Pencils

He started using them on the recommendation of one of my teachers back when I was in high school. He's got a whole box full of them. I'm not sure about the exact make, but the brand is Palomino if anyone is interested.

OhBall Report

#49

A Collection Of Things My Local Shop Has Pulled Out Of Flat Tires

A Collection Of Things My Local Shop Has Pulled Out Of Flat Tires

Fun fact: the white circle in the top left is one of those security tags for clothes.

meepmorpart Report

#50

The Amount Of Train Tickets I’ve Collected By Commuting To University For One Year

The Amount Of Train Tickets I’ve Collected By Commuting To University For One Year

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Note: this post originally had 91 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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