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Collecting things is one of the most common hobbies. People of different ages and walks of life engage in this activity. Many of them proudly present their collections on display; however, there are others who prefer to keep their collections private.
Even though the overall idea of this hobby is the same, the things people collect vary greatly depending on their interests and preferences. They range anywhere from coins to books to magnets and beyond. Some collectible items are well known even among those who don’t belong to the collector world. But you would be surprised to find out how many unconventional objects become an inspiration for incredible collections.
Almost everyone has at one point in their life tried to collect things, be it stamps or baseball cards. Not many of us kept pursuing this hobby for longer than a couple of years at most though, and now things collected in our childhood are just a fond memory of those years. It takes a very special mindset to become a real collector. People who collect things as a lifetime hobby are very patient and determined (as it often takes them years to get one item they need for the collection) and are ready to dedicate a lot of their time to this activity.
For this article, we collected (see what I did there?) some cool things to collect. If you are considering taking up a new hobby, you may be inspired by one of them. If you were into collecting when you were younger or are an enthusiastic collector today, what things do you collect?
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#1
Hand-Painted Food Rock Collection
David Brown 3 years ago
Very cool. It takes allot of talent to make a rock pass for the real thing.
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#2
Coin Collection
Some completed Japanese type sets. Coins go back to year 1023.
#3
Comic Book Collection
Finally completed a full run of Iron Man #1 to 100.
#4
National Park Pin Collection
#5
Historical Weaponry Collection
#6
Collection Of Collections
I used to work in a rubbish dump for 15 years and over the years I’ve collected other people’s Collections that have been thrown away, anything people collected will be in these boxes, including the boxes and drawers, 99% saved from the landfill.
#7
Car Miniature Collection
108 cars from 16 different companies.
#8
Pin Collection
#9
Antique Playing Card Collection
David Brown 3 years ago (edited)
Very cool. I honestly never thought of collecting these. I can't even begin to believe they'd be all that easy to find though.
#10
Action Figure Collection
2 years and still glowing, I’m a female collector and these are 50% of my figures.
David Brown 3 years ago
I love a woman that likes this kind of thing. Most chicks think it's too geeky or a dudes hobby.
#11
Rubber Duck Collection
Irish Lassie 3 years ago
I put them in my daughter’s cat’s water dishes! Cracks me up every time 🙀
#12
Landsnail Collection
David Brown 3 years ago
Living on the coast makes this one a big deal for me and mine. Right before and right after storms you can find tons of good shells. As a word of caution, if you're visiting the NC coast and are actively looking for sand dollars make sure they're dead.(hard and really white). Being caught taking live sand dollars carries a fine for each one in your possession.
#13
Fridge Magnet Collection
Everywhere I travel I buy a magnet for my mom’s fridge. Got a few so far!
#14
Novelty Tea Infuser Collection
I collect Novelty Infusers to host Tea Parties.
#15
Transferware Shard Collection
My collection of 19th c. transferware shards found on the beach..
David Brown 3 years ago
I live on the coast and have never found any of this. Close as ive come is a few pieces of sea glass.
#18
CD Collection
Started collecting around '95. Here's (most of) the collection so far. Tend to gravitate towards the willfully obscure.
#19
Game Boy Collection
David Brown 3 years ago
I wish I had a penny for every minute I spent playing mine when I was little. Im probably the only one but I really enjoyed playing the virtual boy too. Would always end up with a sore neck and a migraine but it was %100 worth it.
#20
Vintage Camera Collection
#21
Mask Collection
#22
Pharmacy Bottle Collection
#23
Stamp Collection
My flower stamp collection so far!
#24
Books With Cartonnage Bindings Collection
It took me a little while to get this many cartonnage bindings, but I truly do love these 19th century books.
#25
Vinyl Collection
Here’s my full Weeknd vinyl collection on my wall.
Philly Bob Squires 3 years ago
I actually have over 8000 vinyl LPs. I'm down from about 9500 as I sold or gave away doubles I had to other collectors.
#26
Pre-Production Drawing Collection
The first season of Spongebob Squarepants was hand-drawn. This is my small collection of pre-production drawings and actual cels.
#27
Lava Lamp Collection
#28
Boombox Collection
My boombox collection after a few years of hunting them. In addition to fixing them up, I’ve added Bluetooth, “Alexa”, a SNES Classic and other weird stuff to some of them.
#29
Nintendo Game Collection
David Brown 3 years ago
Vintage video game stuff has turned into a real treasure hunt these days. And none of it is easy to find and when you do it isn't in great shape. Wish I'd of started a long time ago when it was still relatively easy to find and afford.
#30
Polaroid Photo Cameras And Film Collection
#31
Exit Sign Collection
#32
Candle Collection
David Brown 3 years ago
I may be the only one but I can %100 smell this picture. It's like walking into Yankee candle.
#33
Sea Glass Collection
I collect sea glass and sea pottery! This photo was from a very successful day. Rarely do I find red or yellow.
#34
Metal Precision Spinning Top Collection
#35
Hot Sauce Collection
#36
Garfield Collection
Deborah Harris2 3 years ago
I used to collect Garfields I notice this collector doesn't have Garfield holding pookie which was my number one fave ... awwww shame I just gave them all away to a charity collection ... I did keep the tiny pookie though :D
#37
Salt And Pepper Shaker Collection
Irish Lassie 3 years ago
Love them!! The older ones are so unique & colorful. A lot of mine have cork stoppers.
#38
Vintage Tableware Collection
My pride and joy: my vintage tableware collection of Midwinter Stonehenge designs. 16 of the 21 available designs.
David Brown 3 years ago
Very cool! If I had room I'd definitely collect some uranium glassware. It looks cool as hell under blacklight.
#39
Bird Pen Collection
Weird Christmas Tradition: Parents buy me these bird pens every year without fail. Here’s my collection after about 10 years. I’m a 26 year old male by the way…
#40
Harry Potter LEGO Collection
David Brown 3 years ago
I know it isn't the same thing but I'm dieing to start a collection of Halloween town pieces. An expensive hobby but they are so damn cool.
#41
Video Game Collection
#42
Converse Collection
Madison Taylor 4 months ago
That IS quite the collection! And, I love the different ways you've done the shoe strings. I've been wanting to do some cool shoe string design with mine!
#43
Swiss Army Knife Collection
#45
Horror Movie Collection
#46
Phone Collection
#47
Crystal, Fossil, And Shell Collection
#48
Movie Poster Collection
My star wars advance and teaser poster collection.
#50
Banknote Collection
I have banknotes from every country in the world.
#51
Swizzle Collection
Shaken & stirred. Highlights from my kitschy collection of mid-century swizzles. Now all I need is Don Draper.
#52
Art Deco Teapot Collection
#53
Coca-Cola Bottle Collection
#55
Autograph Collection
These guys signed my laptop...
#56
Limited Edition Book Collection
I just inherited my great-uncle's collection of Limited Editions Clubs books
#57
Miniature Pitcher Collection
#58
Challenge Coin Collection
I’m in the US Navy and have an unhealthy obsession with collecting challenge coins. I like to look back at them to remember the memories tied to them.
#59
Beer Coaster Collection
I have over 1100 unique beer coasters from Europe, North & South America and Asia.
#60
Desk Lamp Collection
David Brown 3 years ago
I gotta thing for lamps and flashlights. When I was little I was terrified of the dark. As an adult there isn't a flat place in the house that doesn't have a lamp and there isn't a drawer without a flashlight.
#62
Rubik’s Cube Collection
#64
Movie Ticket Collection
Hopefully this counts but I’ve saved almost every movie ticket I’ve had since 2000. Definitely not in good condition, just nostalgic.
#66
Soviet Radio Collection
#67
VHS Collection
#68
Bird's Eggshell Collection
I collect different bird species’ eggshells. Need to collect enough to fill the display! Built the shelf by hand and 3D printed the stands and painted myself!
#69
Baseball Card Collection
Took me just under 7 years, but my 1965 Topps graded set is finally complete. All cards are grade 7 or better. I plan to pass it on to my son someday.
#71
Pyrex Dish Collection
#72
Fortune-Cookie Fortune Collection
D-m Keilman 3 years ago
Are they fortunes or just idioms? Can't say I've gotten an actual fortune in years.
#74
Slippers Collection
#77
Lighter Collection
#78
Cameo Jewelry Collection
My broken cameo jewelry/cabochon collection graduated to a bigger box today... profiles in glass, plastic, shell, lava, ivory, and resin.
#83
Dried Flower And Plant Collection
Starting up my herbarium! Any and all tips are always welcome.
#84
LEGO Minifigure Collection
#86
Vintage Cast Iron Collection
#88
Music Flyer Collection
My vintage punk rock flyers.
#90
Funko Pop Collection
My dad made me this display for my Marvel Pops for my birthday!
Got Myself 4 Pandas 3 years ago
My husband would have a fit that they're out the boxes - we have so many but he won't let us take them out
#95
Polly Pocket Collection
#96
Tie Collection
My original 1930s/1940s tie collection!
#97
Dancing Can Collection
#98
Beer Glasses Collection
#99
Matchbox Collection
#102
Hat Collection
Updated photo of my Taco Bell hat collection I posted almost one year ago!
#103
Sugar Packet Collection
I collect sugar/sweetener packets from cafés and I've got around 310 packets from all around the world. Am I the only one who does this..?
claudia granger 3 years ago
I have a collection too. Started it when my son was small to have a souvenir to remember our trips. I think I enjoyed it more than he did 😁
#105
Stapler Collection
#108
Menu Collection
I recently passed my goal of having 800 menus from over 400 restaurants in my collection. Here is a photo of some of the menus I collected this summer!
#112
Radiation Survey Meter Collection
#115
Race Bib Collection
Caliban Taylor 3 years ago
Someday I’ll have my own! I’ve dreamed of running in a race but was hit by two cars a long time ago.
#119
Oil Can Collection
#122
Fountain Pen Collection
Okasan Willis 3 years ago
I have one of these. It started with my Dr. grandfather gave me his Parker
#127
Taco Sleeve Collection
With the addition of the Flamin’ Hot Doritos Locos Taco sleeve, I thought I would share my lot with you. A simple, but fun collection!
#129
Vintage Wrestling Foam Finger Collection
D-m Keilman 3 years ago
Oooh I saw one that would fit perfectly with your collection. hacksaw jim duggan... it was a foam plank of wood. :)
In the wide world of hobbies, collecting can take many fascinating forms. As Justin Bryant transformed beloved childhood board games into chilling horror movie posters, collectors too can find a unique combination of nostalgia and creativity in their pursuits.
Exploring the interplay of art, memory, and personal passion can give new life to items that would otherwise gather dust, just like Bryant's eerie poster designs.
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What do you think ?
Katha Sanyat 3 years ago (edited)
Own experiences, not objects. Collectors are a silent menace, they are applauded for doing absolutely nothing, other than spending money that is!
Doug Graves 1 year ago
Objects can be shared…no one cares about your experiences…we all have those
Load More Replies...
boredkitten 3 years ago
I collect postcards from the places I visited from a very young age. Sometimes, I also grab magnets. It is so far all in one box. My father is collecting many more things related to music and books. I am trying to be minimalist but I wonder if there will be anything else I would enjoy collecting at my later age.
Katha Sanyat 3 years ago (edited)
Own experiences, not objects. Collectors are a silent menace, they are applauded for doing absolutely nothing, other than spending money that is!
Doug Graves 1 year ago
Objects can be shared…no one cares about your experiences…we all have those
Load More Replies... boredkitten 3 years ago
I collect postcards from the places I visited from a very young age. Sometimes, I also grab magnets. It is so far all in one box. My father is collecting many more things related to music and books. I am trying to be minimalist but I wonder if there will be anything else I would enjoy collecting at my later age.
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