Collector or accumulator? (1 Viewer)

[VIRIATO]

Mike has brought these «categories» up on another thread (funny stuff by the way...).
Guys, what do you think the difference is between collectors and accumulators? And where do you fit?
Just a little food for thought...:wink2:


Paulo

 

[lancer]

Mike has brought these «categories» up on another thread (funny stuff by the way...).
Guys, what do you think the difference is between collectors and accumulators? And where do you fit?
Just a little food for thought...:wink2:


Paulo

A collector doesn't become a burden to his family until after his death when the family dicovers the size of his collection and has to figure out what to do with it. An accumulator is a burden to his family while alive, probably forcing the family out of their home with the size of his accumulation, and eventually ending up on the show "Extreme Hoarders", before being committed to the local mental health facility. I'm definetly the first one. -- Al

 

[johnnybach]

I think I'm definitely an accumulator. You see - to my way of thinking - a collector is much more methodical. The C will plan his purchases carefully - and doubtless have an idea of where he is going to store/display his collection, and exactly how he intends to continue with it.

The A will have similar initial thoughts. BUT - will however, see something - often immediately fall in love - and go through with the purchase. He will frequently run out of room to store/show or display what he has just bought - and - whilst trying to figure out what to do with his last purchase - will fall in love all over again - yet will not part with anything he has already bought.

The A is in fact, a Serial Accumulator.

Hello - my name is johnnybach - I'm a Serial Accumulator{sm2}

P.S. And I don't care!^&grin

 

[Mitch]

Not really sure there is much of a difference
Mitch

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I would classify myself as a collector. If I can't buy it and have it displayed I don't need it. Would never buy just to pile it up in the closet. Thats what the empty
boxes are for !

 

[waynepoo]

A collector? a accumulator? dosen't matter really as I've had to collect cabinets to store the empty boxes I have accumulated......{sm2}:rolleyes2:
Wayne.

 

[wayne556517]

Collector-me-accumulator.............................^&grin

 

[Jay]

Collector-me-accumulator.............................^&grin

Or simply, collect-a-mator

 

[wadepat]

Hi Paulo,

My understanding of the terms as they are applied to toy soldier collecting is as follows:

Collector: A collector is one who builds depth into his collection. That is to say, the collection focuses on one or two eras, conflicts, or events and may include restricting the collection to specific manufacturers.

Accumulator: An accumulator tends to collect without much central focus. The collection will include a wide variety of things at the expense of much real depth. In short, if the collection has no real focus, then it is just a rather random accumulation of figures.

Too often, the two terms become confused with the size of one's collection or with hoarding figures. The size of the collection is not what determines if one is a collector or an accumulator. Rather, it is the difference between clearly defined goals for a collection vs. randomness and the absence of a specific direction for the collection.

From my perspective, few of us are purely one type or another. In my case, I have a great amount of diversity represented in my collection. However, I have a fairly expansive collection of Delhi Durbar items. So, which am I? I guess I am some of both, but arn't we all? ^&grin

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :wink2:

 

[VIRIATO]

Hi Paulo,

My understanding of the terms as they are applied to toy soldier collecting is as follows:

Collector: A collector is one who builds depth into his collection. That is to say, the collection focuses on one or two eras, conflicts, or events and may include restricting the collection to specific manufacturers.

Accumulator: An accumulator tends to collect without much central focus. The collection will include a wide variety of things at the expense of much real depth. In short, if the collection has no real focus, then it is just a rather random accumulation of figures.

Too often, the two terms become confused with the size of one's collection or with hoarding figures. The size of the collection is not what determines if one is a collector or an accumulator. Rather, it is the difference between clearly defined goals for a collection vs. randomness and the absence of a specific direction for the collection.

From my perspective, few of us are purely one type or another. In my case, I have a great amount of diversity represented in my collection. However, I have a fairly expansive collection of Delhi Durbar items. So, which am I? I guess I am some of both, but arn't we all? ^&grin

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :wink2:

Hi Pat,
As always interesting thoughts, and me too, a bit of both, always widely tempted...^&grin

All the best,
Paulo

 

[OzDigger]

Some interesting posts, personally I would define an accumulator as someone who has little control over what TS they buy, especially when that compulsion has a negative affect on them and their family in terms of finances etc. Imo a collector with a diverse collection would be a eclectic collector rather than an accumulator, unless of course his/her family suffered because of their collecting habits, in which case I guess they would be an accumulator, or maybe they are just plain selfish. Food for thought.

 

[Fort-Stamford]

Hi Paulo,

I guess I can classify myself to both categories. I rotate my collection from Storage Room to Cabinet / Shelf Display to Diorama display then back to original box and storage. If I need to expand a diorama, I may reduce the scale from 54mm to 25/30mm to 15mm figures, based on expanse of the specific battle. For Gettysburg (which covered over 25 square miles), I went to 15mm. For specific scenes I use 54mm. Since I am a history buff the periods go from the Greek/Persian Wars to WWII. One of my focused collections is Napoleonic period where I collect 30mm flats (Retreat from Moscow a favorite), and rounds from 15mm to 90mm. My son on the otherhand, is focusing on K&C figures - Battle of the Bulge. Warmest Regards, Charles

 

[Jack]

A Collector draws most of his pleasure from the having, while the Accumulator draws the greater part of his from the getting.