Tell me about what you collect!

Hi! My name is pj, and I'm a recovering collector.

Some of things I've collected in my life include:

- antique pocket watches
- musical instruments (primarily guitars)
- antique cameras
- sports cars
- antique machine tools (led to our business!)
- old radios
- professional magician's equipment
- antique technical books
- kites

I'm getting better... really I am. These collections have been mostly disbursed or at least discontinued, as we have better things to do with limited resources right now.

It is interesting to hear about the unusual things people are passionate about accumulating. One friend collects any kind of art that has cameras in it - everything from sculptures and figurines to cartoon cells. Another guy collects antique soda stuff - he has built a complete and authentic soda fountain in his basement to go with the collectibles. Another friend collects pinball machines.

Tell me about what YOU collect, and what some of your most prized pieces are!

Keychains, from everywhere. Everyone I know buys me one when they go on vacation. But nice ones, not those flimsy rubber ones :p My favorite one is from Stonehenge.

Cat stuff, I love kitty picture frames and artwork.

Harry Potter deluxe edition book series collection (of course), and Harry Potter Christmas tree ornaments.

Animal psychology books.

I wanted to collect antique clocks. But back when I had zero money.

I collect good books/good dvds. ;)

Lessee... Star Wars books/movies. Knives, to an extent. Everybody says I collect knives, but I only do so to use them.

Money. Though it has a funny way of walking off on me. (some coins, seriously, though, as my uncle collected coins)

At the risk of coming off as an even bigger geek than I may already be, I collect the following:

Star wars stuff, I have all the Force FX lightsabers, Luke's Green saber, Vader's red, Mace's Purple, Anakin's blue... all I need it the Darth Maul single red saber and the double bladed saber and I'll have them all! Books, movies, figurines, cards, I have a film negative of Yoda, etc. The usual junk.

Comic books that feature the Joker. I can't help myself. I see one and snatch it up immediatly. He's a dementedly funny guy.

Patrick Roy memoribilia. I have a Colorado Avs Home Jersey, exact replica of his, numerous hockey cards, one a rookie, posters, pictures, magnets, figurines minature stanely cups... the list is probably endless. Oh, I have an AV's chandelier in the shape of the big center scoreboard in the rink.... lord...

Cameos. My grandmother had a small collection that she would show to me when I was a little girl. So, when I got older I started collecting them since they remind me of her. I have brooches, earings, rings, braclets, lockets, neclaces, pins, etc. I have a huge collection now.

I'm sure I'll add to this list eventually.

I want to collect antique cameras as well. They look so cool. :D

I collect pictures of figures I like. I don't have a very big collection at all, but I am very picky. I've got pictures from the series Gundam Wing, Hellsing, some of Harley Quinn (my favorite villian), vampires, and various other things I like seeing.

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Originally Posted by Vex Kitten

At the risk of coming off as an even bigger geek than I may already be, I collect the following:

Star wars stuff, I have all the Force FX lightsabers, Luke's Green saber, Vader's red, Mace's Purple, Anakin's blue... all I need it the Darth Maul single red saber and the double bladed saber and I'll have them all! Books, movies, figurines, cards, I have a film negative of Yoda, etc. The usual junk.

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Drops to one knee. Vex Kitten, will you marry me?

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Originally Posted by Man of Steel

Drops to one knee. Vex Kitten, will you marry me?

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*glares at you*

She's not the marrying type.


>_>


:sniper:

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Originally Posted by pj

- professional magician's equipment

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Cool. I was a semi-pro magician during my three Jr. High School years. I had amassed a huge amount of props and paraphernalia. I even built a bunch of props, such as a dove-from-balloon cage, an Asrah Levitation, a Flying Carpet Levitation, Egyptian Water Box, tons of change bags (which I was selling), a Crystal Casket (6"), a sword through head box, and a bunch of packet effects, etc...

I actually "invented" a trick called "The Invisible String". It was a gimmick used to make your pocket move as if it had string tied to it. You pull your pocket inside-out to perform the trick. I sold a few thousand of those many years ago. Not to mention that I was good friends with several magic prop inventors and builders, including Jim Zachary, who was famous for his dice stacking routines. He invented some special coin boxes and the world-famous Hot Rod (a paddle move trick with a plastic rod having 6 different colored stones. The spectator chooses a number from 1-6 and all 6 stones on each side are shown to have changed to that color.) Those were the days.

I got rid of almost all of that stuff when I got out of magic though. Now I just have a massive video game collection: over 35 different consoles (not counting duplicates or different versions), over 2,300 console games, special test carts and equipment, tons of memorabilia, etc...

Most of that stuff sits in boxes now. I also once owned a small arcade's worth of arcade video games, four pinball machines, coin-op devices and table-top games.

I have 7 Pachinko machines, most of which I've completely dismantled and resurrected from the dead.

I've had other collections in my life but, I've bored you long enough.

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Originally Posted by Oneironaught

. . .

I actually "invented" a trick called "The Invisible String".

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Sounds like you were serious about performing. I never was - got really swept up by simple slight of hand, (coin manipulation,) as a way to exercise my hands when away from an instrument. A cousin who was a pro passed away, and the family knew my "interest" in magic, so I inherited all of it. Then I started grabbing more and more and more.

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I have 7 Pachinko machines, most of which I've completely dismantled and resurrected from the dead.

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I LOVE the simple mechanical pachinkos!

I have a rather elaborate electronic one here - it's been dropped and damaged. (Kids. *sigh*.) Do you have any use for it? I was going to toss it out on Craig's List to see if anybody wanted it for parts or anything. I'll give it to you for the cost of shipping, GH.

Guess I'm pretty boring. I used to collect M:TG cards but got sick of that consumer frenzy and discovered I could play with all the cards I wanted to online for free anyways. I used to collect little pewter statuary but nowadays I think that's the tackiest thing ever and am looking for any excuse to sell/throw them away. I have a collection of video games, but that doesn't necessarily mean I collect them - I just buy them, play them, and never get around to selling them. That said, there's a few I probably would never part with (SNES cartridges like Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, FFVI, etc) even if I did sell the whole lot (for pennies nowadays... wahhhh)

Does porn count? I have a lot of porn (I'd argue it's more tasteful than that, but "what I like is erotica, what you like is porn," &c) but is it still collecting if you don't pay for it and it doesn't physically exist?

edit: in video games I used to be an obsessive completionist but even that's gone away now... I usually can't even bring myself to finish the main storyline for video games these days, much less nab 100% of the extras. This is confusing that I don't collect anything, since I have a fairly obsessive personality.

money

-Rare Mineral stones
-Bullets
-Swrods, knives
-Pencils lol
-Some trading cards

I collect:

- Vinyl records
- MP3's
- Photo's which I have taken, I have a huge collection

Thats about it really...

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Originally Posted by pj

Sounds like you were serious about performing.

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I actually was pretty serious at the time. I did both stage and close-up shows. Mind you, I was a kid so I wasn't exactly God's gift to magic but I wasn't too bad for my age. Being a member of a pro magic club and having a great support group allowed me to accell much faster than I would have otherwise. It also allowed me to get "in the circuit", if you will. Meaning I had a moderately easy time of finding jobs.

My first real magic job was performing at an RV trade show for a dealer whom I actually ended up getting a part-time, after school job with, but that's another story.

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I LOVE the simple mechanical pachinkos!

I have a rather elaborate electronic one here - it's been dropped and damaged. (Kids. *sigh*.) Do you have any use for it? I was going to toss it out on Craig's List to see if anybody wanted it for parts or anything. I'll give it to you for the cost of shipping, GH.

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Pachinkos are one of those strangely-interesting things. Most [American] people have no idea what a Pachinko machine even is. It's something that tends to suck new-comers in at first. Either that or they give you this strange look and say "Ok, that's pretty lame." But they really are a mechanical piece of work.

Truth be known, I actually started building a Pachinko machine myself: from scratch. When I say from scratch I mean it. I even molded plastic parts myself. I've hand-made ery bit of it so far (well, I did modify some every day objects to make a few components). Shaping acrylic, manufacturing metal components, etc... But then, during the project, I got sucked into working a second full-time job as a drummer for a blues/R&B band for over a year. That and moving to a home where I don't have such easy access to workshop space has put that project on indefinite hold. Maybe some day I'll get back on it.

You know the scoring holes with the two arms that open when a ball goes through then closes with the next ball? I even have both of those mechanisms built and fully functional. I made those from complete raw materials. I've got most of the playfield done and a bunch of the rear mechanical components constructed.

I don't think I've even heard of a Pachinko having electronics. I know they all have lighting circuits but, not electronics. That's interesting indeed, especially since I'm an electronics technician (of 17 years) by trade.

I just may take you up on that offer. Can you give me some idea of shipping cost? I know they generally weigh somewhere in the 40 pound range, minus the balls.

That's another thing, all those 7/16" steel/chrome bearings. Gotta love those balls, especially the originals having the Japanese characters on them. I love to reach into my box 'o' balls and dig around. That feels so cool on the hands :D

Mostly RCA and Edison memorabilia.

I've got an old Amerola 30 cylindar player
A large assorgment of wax and Amerol cylindars
about 12 assorted Nipper figurines, some antique, some reproduction, all sizes

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Originally Posted by Seeker

Mostly RCA and Edison memorabilia.

I've got an old Amerola 30 cylindar player
A large assorgment of wax and Amerol cylindars
about 12 assorted Nipper figurines, some antique, some reproduction, all sizes

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Ah... another collection disbursed - Edison DiamonDiscs. I gave my machine, extra heads and all my disks to a cousin up in the Copper Country. He's getting a lot more enjoyment out of them than I.

PM me with a zip, Oneironaught... need a zip code to take a guess at shipping.

The balls aren't really 7/16 - they're metric and slightly smaller. Found out the hard way that 7/16 balls don't work in many machines. (I paid more for the balls than the machine and had planned on keeping those in hopes of maybe finding another machine some day!)

- horse statues, pictues and posters
- dragaon statues, pictures and posters
- shot glasses
- Pirates of the Caribbean posters
- swords
- books and Greek and Roman history

Vinyl - mostly rare original issue hip-hop, funk & soul records

some stuff of note:

Eminem - Infinite (only 400 ever pressed)
The Divine Styler - Word Power
Hijack - Horns of Jericho
American Werewolf in London soundtrack (for some reason this is quite rare, don't really know why)
Some test pressings of early Moby songs before he became famous

Swords, knives and various other pointy objects. :ninja:

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Originally Posted by Oneironaut

Swords, knives and various other pointy objects. :ninja:

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Yeah, you should really see someone about that
it can't be healthy

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Originally Posted by Ynot

Yeah, you should really see someone about that
it can't be healthy

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Sounds fine to me :)

hey, just saying
if I had a kid that collected knives, I'd be worried

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Originally Posted by Ynot

hey, just saying
if I had a kid that collected knives, I'd be worried

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...I didn't collect knives, when I was a kid. :P

Some neat stuff guys/gals.
Hey Vex. They just came out with Star Wars postage stamps. I am not sure if you can get uncirculated stamps like you can money or not. Just a thought.

pj. You know how hard it is to find a nice pocket watch?
I have been on a search for one, and I am worn out. frustrated. Anyway cool stuff. Magic eeey? :peek:

• I used to collect guns. But I have more than I need now and it is just not justifiable.

• I collect Gargoyles. My collection is rather small. I have picky taste, so it is a rare case I find one I like.

• Knives. Again not big in quantity but I am very happy with the ones I have. **Thanks Man of steel, for all the information about knives!
  I have an opportunity to possibly by my neighbors entire collection of switch blades. I will have to consult you.

;)

• Last but not least I collect

• ¢¢$$-MONEY-$$¢¢ nothing like my other collections, I am not the least bit picky. I even take donations!

:mail:

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Originally Posted by pj

PM me with a zip, Oneironaught... need a zip code to take a guess at shipping.

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Try 33810

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The balls aren't really 7/16 - they're metric and slightly smaller. Found out the hard way that 7/16 balls don't work in many machines. (I paid more for the balls than the machine and had planned on keeping those in hopes of maybe finding another machine some day!)

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Huh, I bought 3,000 7/16" (I'm pretty sure that's the size I bought) bearings and they've worked fine in all of my machines. Though, you're right. The originals are a tad bit smaller. But I've got only a few hundred originals.

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Originally Posted by Oneironaught

Try 33810


Huh, I bought 3,000 7/16" (I'm pretty sure that's the size I bought) bearings and they've worked fine in all of my machines. Though, you're right. The originals are a tad bit smaller. But I've got only a few hundred originals.

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I'll run it tomorrow and see what the total is.

Well, the 7/16 balls won't work in this machine. That I know for sure.

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pj. You know how hard it is to find a nice pocket watch?
I have been on a search for one, and I am worn out. frustrated.

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Jason... what's your budget? You looking for fine quality new or a nice antique?

I focused primarily on pre-1900 Elgins. The problem with pocket watches, like so many other things, is fakes and forgeries. I chose to concentrate on one manufacturer and really learn them inside-out to protect myself. I do have a few others that aren't Elgin though - and a few that are into the 20th Century.

I have a cousin who deals in fine pocket watches, among other things. He says demand has really gone up and now would be a good time to sell off my collection, but I'm not in any hurry to get rid of that one. It's small and fits in a safe quite nicely.

I may have something you would be interested in... and if not, I'll hook you up with my cuz. He's a guy who wholesales to jewelers... and he'll sell to family for the same prices.

You're family, of course.

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Originally Posted by Oneironaut

Swords, knives and various other pointy objects. :ninja:

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I also have an affinity for sharp and/or pointy objects. I just received my blow-dart gun in the mail a week ago.

I also have a bad habit of collecting paper. I've a bunch of story scraps or little pieces of doodles. I used to keep old homework, but I think I finally got rid of most of it... I think.

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Originally Posted by pj

Jason... what's your budget? You looking for fine quality new or a nice antique?

You're family, of course.

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<<<< :)
More so a likely a fine quality new one. Mostly due to the fact I would like to use it.
What's my budget? - ha ha. You know how it is with things you want. Justification.
The more I like something the higher my budget. ;)
Actually, although I admire collectible watches, it would be more applicable for me to buy something I can utilize.

I just never did like wrist watches and I have not found a lot out there in the way of pocket watches.
What do you suggest?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Howie

I just never did like wrist watches and I have not found a lot out there in the way of pocket watches.
What do you suggest?[/COLOR]

Thanks

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I suggest a fine, functional antique. They are beautiful, elegant, accurate, and repairable. They are also pieces of history.

They do require occasional cleaning and adjustment, but any mechanical watch will need that. (I AM assuming you want a mechanical watch!)

There is going to be a difference between a dress watch and a day-to-day watch, probably. If it is to wear with a suit or tux, you'll want a really nice fob and fancy case - probably a hunter case. For something to keep in your jeans watch pocket, you'll want something small and rugged, probably open face, with a shorter utility fob - like a railroad watch.

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Originally Posted by Amethyst Star

I also have an affinity for sharp and/or pointy objects. I just received my blow-dart gun in the mail a week ago.

I also have a bad habit of collecting paper. I've a bunch of story scraps or little pieces of doodles. I used to keep old homework, but I think I finally got rid of most of it... I think.

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I do that too, I've got stacks upon stacks of papers laying around in my closet and on the floor from the past five years or so....

I also collect coins from different parts of the world (I've only really got like maybe twenty coins from about three or four different countries), and primarily, I like to collect ticket stubs. I don't know why, it's just nice every now and then to look back and say "Hey, I remember seeing this movie!", brings back memories about the night and whatnot....

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Originally Posted by Bayside

I also collect coins from different parts of the world (I've only really got like maybe twenty coins from about three or four different countries), and primarily, I like to collect ticket stubs. I don't know why, it's just nice every now and then to look back and say "Hey, I remember seeing this movie!", brings back memories about the night and whatnot....

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Oh, right! I totally collect ticket stubs. Once when I was in the dorms I had my huge mirror bordered with the stubs. It was quite amusing, actually!

Zippo lighters. Right now I have 4.

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Originally Posted by Bayside

I do that too, I've got stacks upon stacks of papers laying around in my closet and on the floor from the past five years or so....

I also collect coins from different parts of the world (I've only really got like maybe twenty coins from about three or four different countries), and primarily, I like to collect ticket stubs. I don't know why, it's just nice every now and then to look back and say "Hey, I remember seeing this movie!", brings back memories about the night and whatnot....

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Originally Posted by Amethyst Star

Oh, right! I totally collect ticket stubs. Once when I was in the dorms I had my huge mirror bordered with the stubs. It was quite amusing, actually!

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So other people actually keep their ticket stubs? I thought I was just crazy... I've still got ticket stubs from years and years ago.

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Originally Posted by Infraredkelp

Zippo lighters. Right now I have 4.

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Haha, I just got my first Zippo (Black Ice), along with a Z-Plus butane insert, and I'm already thinking of which one I want next.

I collect:
Small toy cars, wooden cars, pedal cars.
Star Wars toys, a lot of movie based toys.
Car racing pictures, films, books, patches, stickers.
Classic films.
Anything connected to the space program.
Old film and video cameras, projectors, telescopes.
Old tools, gauges, meters.
Own 3 60's era hot rods and all their parts.
Ticket stubbs and programs to any event that I have attended.
My original Boy Scout patches.
My military awards, uniforms and keepsakes.
Coins, minerals, fossils.

I have some collections from when I was young:

Hot wheels
TY Beanie Babies
Porcelin dolls

Now I collect:

Knives
Grenades
Poetry
Amy Brown Art
Fairy figurines
Ornaments
Photos
Gifts from people I no longer talk to
Coins
Nail polish :P
Pillows (Idk why)
Marbles
Stones
Driftwood
Animal bones


etc

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Originally Posted by BiVixen

Grenades

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:shock:

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Originally Posted by BiVixen

Hot wheels
TY Beanie Babies
Porcelin dolls
Knives
Grenades
Poetry
Amy Brown Art
Fairy figurines
Ornaments
Photos
Gifts from people I no longer talk to
Coins
Nail polish :P
Pillows (Idk why)
Marbles
Stones
Driftwood
Animal bones

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Let's see;
Dolls, Grenades, Nail polish, Knives...
...quite a range of stuff you've got there, BiVixen.
*backs slowly out of the room*

Knives, empty bottles of budweiser (a good 60 of these on my window) and empty lynx cans. The last two just build up from lazyness though. :bigteeth:

lol - Some weird collections here...

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Originally Posted by Ynot

:shock:

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What? They're not live.

Plus, I find a lot of good army surplus stores.

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Originally Posted by badassbob

Let's see;
Dolls, Grenades, Nail polish, Knives...
...quite a range of stuff you've got there, BiVixen.
*backs slowly out of the room*

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What? I can't have normal items and cool weapons?
A girl's gotta have a fun side, too!

I started to collect a short time ago Tic Tac sweets (I don't know if they exist outside France). It was due to the fact I was too lazy to throw them away...

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I started to collect a short time ago Tic Tac sweets (I don't know if they exist outside France). It was due to the fact I was too lazy to throw them away...

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You mean like, little orange, cinnamon, mint, etc. flavoured mints? If this is what you're talking about, yeah, they totally exist in the US.

http://www.metanoiac.com/images/tic_tac.jpg

I collect rubber bouncy balls. :p

I collect odd musical instruments, although it is very small, and most of them are actually pretty common. I have a Didgeridoo, a glockenspiel, an old stone fish shaped ocorina, and a horn made from a cows horn. That's about it.

I just started collecting yo-yos about 3 months ago. I only have about 11. I have some neat ones, though.

The California State Competition is in about a month, so I'm hoping to go to that and pick up some more yo-yos.

If anyone's curious, the World Championships will be going on early august in Orlando, Florida.

I also like to collect playing cards. I like to pick up a gift package whenever I'm traveling. I have maybe 8 or so.

w00t~

I collect meaningful stuff... for me... as in: Souvenirs.
When I go on a holiday, and it was a fun and meaningful holiday, chances are that I'll buy ONE SINGLE thing to remember it by... Or when, on occasion, I get stuff from other family members (after they've gone on a holiday or when they've married or something), I keep them...

I collect meaningful stuff... Like that small wooden turtle statue my grandmother brought from her holiday, or those paintings I've made on occasion, or that hawaii flower necklace we all had to wear when we had to walk right across the city past hundreds of persons when my aunt married, or that pen I bought when I went to london on that school trip...
They all 'carry memories' (yes, I know it's cliche, but still), and those are things I collect: memories, nothing more...

I collect the soundtracks of movies I like... And also just the 'normal' music I like...

I have 'collected' all of the Harry Potter books (I've bought them... anyway... Which I see as 'collecting', as I only buy the stuff I really want to have...)

And I am now 'collecting' the Death Note manga... :D:D:D

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Originally Posted by Spamtek

Guess I'm pretty boring. I used to collect M:TG cards but got sick of that consumer frenzy and discovered I could play with all the cards I wanted to online for free anyways.

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Agree. MTG, despite the stigma, is a pretty complex and interesting game. Paying good money for bits of cardboard is dumb though. Magic Workstation and Apprentice mean that one can play the game without breaking the bank or feeling like they are getting scammed. I must admit, playing with the cards feels better though, for some reason. Spamtek: What formats etc do you play, on what software?

I collect
- Foreign coins
- Rocks
- Shoes? lol
- Old Cards

dragon statues here. I have six at the moment and i have bought four for my dad since he likes dragons too, so when he dies.... i will get them.( evil thought but it is true).

generally from a shop called "ideas" where i live, i believe they get there models from his place:

http://www.xystos.co.uk/Tudormint/br...px?category=73

Wow, joey, I used to collect dragon statues as well. I've been looking to get rid of them. Maybe you and I could do a deal. If you're interested I'll send some photos in a pm.

My dream is to be an art collector.
That would be so awesome to me.
It is an expensive hobby. At the rate I am going, I will be 732 years old to acquire enough "good" art to be considered a collection.

Unless any of you care to donate that is? :cool:

Dragonball Z stuff, mainly different versions of the Manga.

I collect wooden kitty "sculptures". Little ones. Like this, except smaller and kittens/cats (that's a freaking tiger).

I also collect small souvenirs from other countries, preferably from other continents than Europe.

And most of all, I collect money. Lots of it.

Sobe bottle lids...I know, its sad.

I collect marijuana parafernalia like pipes and bongs etc. I just love how nice looking some of them can be, plus I love cannabis as my avatar points out.

I iherited from grandparents a very old stamp collection from about 1933 and earlier, started to collect knives (inherited a knife that belonged to great grandmother's brother, who died in the war [very cool- the knife]) and clip on badges with the needle things, also very very old.

I also have a ton of books and electronic test equipment, both old and new. I never seem to have enough.

Now days i collect money because I have wuit a lot of bad hacits.

Until tonights rela[se. I feel bad :) but also good.

Edit: I don't know what I was doing last night. I don't even know what that was supposed to mean.

Back when I was young, I started buying those little MAD Magazine books. I never really stopped.