Why We Collect (1 Viewer)

[wellington]

Ever since I was a kid I've collected stuff from bottle caps to to complete military uniforms. I know we collect because we have an interrest in something. Mine has always revolved around the military. I sometimes wonder if there is an underlying reason why we collect. My theory is, as strange as it sounds, is this...most collectors are men, I think, and I know I get a high when I purchase something for my collection, and then shortly after that the high is gone and I'm on the hunt again until the next high. I sometimes wonder if the old saying that men are hunters holds true. I almost feel like if I'm not hunting for something and conquoring it I feel uneasy. I wonder if its because society today doesn't really require us to do the things men once did ie. hunting parties, war parties etc. Because everthing is handed to us on a silver platter and there is no need for men to travel in groups and have that bonding I think all men need, we fill this subconcious feeling or void by hunting and gathering this stuff whether its antique cars, militaria, toy soldiers etc. The reason I bring this up is because I had one of the largest military collections in Canada, I was always hunting for stuff and everytime I found that little something I placed it on my shelf had my high then went hunting again. Three years ago I quit a well paying job to become a police officer and had to take a substantial pay cut and I was also responsible for paying my police college. This had always been my dream and thought if I sold my collection it was a small price to pay to fulfill a dream. I sold my collection as much as it hurt and missed the stuff more than you would believe, but something else happened, I felt like I had sold my soul. I slowly found that other than family and work I felt like I had no purpose. I cannot afford the collection I once supported so I turned to military figures and I found that once again I was filling that void in my life and I'm back on the war path hunting gathering and getting my highs, it keeps me grounded and allows me to escape the stress of everyday life. I miss my old collection very much but I also miss the friendships and male bonding I once had, the trips to the military shows with the guys etc. Once you leave a circle you slowly lose touch with people. This forum helps me so that I can build some new friendships with people with a common interrest and goal!!! It gives me a chance to be a guy!! Collecting K and C is an outlet for me as I'm sure it is for you. Sorry for going on like this but was interrested in your thoughts. Who knows maybe we collect because we are addicted to the rush we get. One thing is for sure we would be divorcing our wives if they spent as much as we did on this stuff...funny how that works.

Cheers
Wellington

PS I wish I was going to the shows with you guys but my wife is pregnant and money is a little tight right now, maybe next year!! I really miss the excitment of getting out with the guys going to a show and bringing back my war trophies...

 

[Peter Reuss]

Me guy. Me like collecting. Me grunt and spit. Ug.

 

[wellington]

Peter...you are to funny, I spill my heart out and you stomp all over it... Whats even worse is I'm addicted to talking to you guys on this forum as much as I am addicted to collecting.

Cheers
Wellington

 

[sceic2]

Wellington, I agree with most of what you are saying. But I also believe that this collecting bug can and does happen amongst the female gender too. They have other types of collecting that they do. More femine and less testosteronish (new word?). Small spoons or thimbles from every place they go. Afgans, dolls, etc. My middle child (daughter) collects refridgerator magnets. My mother; her department of 56 christmas and precious moments collections. My younger child (daughter) and her mustang model cars. My paternal grandmother collected coins. My maternal grandmother collected bowling figures. My experiences are that the women in my life have been greater collectors than the men. All the men were too busy getting drunk and raising heck.

I think this male hunter, female gatherer theory is very valid. I have done alot of reading and studing the human factor and in my own humble opinion, we are ruled by our instincts and our base urges, dispite all of the attempts by some to put humans on some level higher than other creatures on this small rock in a universe that is so large the human mind can not conceive of the fact that we are nothing in comparison to it.

I collect for the fun. I too enjoy the receiving of my toys. I just got a group of K&C from Shannon and Pete and, as I emailed them, it was just like being a child at christmas. The only difference is that you sure could get a lot of little green army men and woolworth's army trucks and tanks for not a lot of money. But as the wise man once said, the only difference between the little boys and the grown men is the cost of their toys.

 

[Njja]

Well guys I agree. My only difference is like my Dad I always enjoyed buying & selling things. So when I began collecting 30 years ago I constantly bought and sold items so my collection paid for itself. Today 30 years later items are far more expensive, and now I let room control the collection. When I see something new, something has to go.
I also enjoy finding the items, probably more then anything else.
Njja

 

[jazzeum]

There is something about collecting. I think the trophy thing could be true but it's also the act of getting things that's fun. Unwrapping it, examining it and putting it on the shelf. It's a function of leisure time. As you get older, you have more time and your brain gets lazy. So it needs something to do. I think collecting is one of those things. I've collected various things but have only really stuck to jazz. I used my other hobbies to pay for that. This one seems like a natural since I'm a history buff. But I don't try to analyze too much. Just try to get a kick out of it.

 

[Alexdakar]

I agree with a lot of this. Its the journey not the destination.

 

[vandilay]

Hi, as i,ve only justed started collecting again in the last 12 months [having collected as a kid] I,ve asked myself that question, Part of it maybe is competing with others to get that hard to find or rare piece[or bargain], it,s a bit like the limited edition sets,when you make something harder to obtain people seem go after it ,even if perhaps it was a normal relise they wouldnt be to bothered.You just have to look at the prices being fetched for retired K and C sets ,When their is still plenty being relised that is probably superior in detail etc.Thats my 2 cents worth anyway.
happy hunting

 

[Fullyautomatic]

Plane and simple for me. I don't wanna grow up, I'm A K&C kid !!!

 

[Leadmen]

Last night my wife complained that collecting is selfish and something you do that is no benefit to society. Also that Dr. Phil had a show this week that showed compulsive collectors and hoarders. I don't look at it that way. I like figures and modelling, whether casting or making molds or other areas of collecting figures. I view it has a hobby that I enjoy along with reading about history. She makes me feel guilty when I make an "order. I wish she would collect something . I really don't feel guilty. I put 3 through college with no loans to pay back and worked 7 days a week for a long time which did leave me retired on disability. Yes ,I like the hobby and thanks to Treefrog for showing me there are other people with similiar interests. Leadmen

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Peter...you are to funny, I spill my heart out and you stomp all over it... Whats even worse is I'm addicted to talking to you guys on this forum as much as I am addicted to collecting.

Cheers
Wellington

Must be the sensitive pastor in me coming out!

I join your addiction in the Forum. How many times a day can we check to messages???

Oops - This is Pete posting under Shannon's name. She's not the sensitive pastor!!!

 

[binder001]

I think that collecting, like so many other things, has no easy answer. I have to admit that I am childish enough that I enjoy the heck out of getting a new "toy", be it a model, book or toy soldier. There is also a little compulsiveness involved, like "I've got three of the series, I need to get the other two items to have the whole series". The search for "completeness" goes on. Maybe it's partly a control issue, also. I can't control my boss, or the price of gas, but I CAN decide what soldiers go into my stash!

Just a few random thoughts (which is about all I can muster)

Gary

 

[jazzeum]

Last night my wife complained that collecting is selfish and something you do that is no benefit to society. Also that Dr. Phil had a show this week that showed compulsive collectors and hoarders. I don't look at it that way. I like figures and modelling, whether casting or making molds or other areas of collecting figures. I view it has a hobby that I enjoy along with reading about history. She makes me feel guilty when I make an "order. I wish she would collect something . I really don't feel guilty. I put 3 through college with no loans to pay back and worked 7 days a week for a long time which did leave me retired on disability. Yes ,I like the hobby and thanks to Treefrog for showing me there are other people with similiar interests. Leadmen

You have nothing to apologize for. A person who worked hard and put 3 kids through college has my undying respect. As far as collecting being selfish and of no benefit to society, yeah, what's her point?

 

[sceic2]

You have nothing to apologize for. A person who worked hard and put 3 kids through college has my undying respect. As far as collecting being selfish and of no benefit to society, yeah, what's her point?

I agree 100% percent. It is selfish, so what. It is a harmless passion that does not involve drugs, alcohol, guns, sex, violence blah blah blah.

But think of all of the benefits collecting does bring to society. People earn a living by selling these toys to us nuts. People make a wage by producing these toys for us nuts. People earn money to pay their mortgages with money earned by delivering these toys to us nuts. The dollar impact is measureable and I believe stimulates further spending. Each person that earns a dollar from this hobby spends that dollar in buying other goods and services. Its called the wage turn-over rate. I have personally supported many people with my spending. I get a great deal of personal pleasure from this passion and I am not going to stop. I know what an addiction is and I am far from addicted.

 

[gk5717]

I,m just happy I have a HOBBY. How many people do you know that have nothing resembling a hobby. I feel sorry for them.
I think the real fun is the anticipation. Looking for that box on the front porch when you get home.
What is funny as soon as I open the package, my next thought is what is due next.
As for this board, can,t wait to meet the guys at OTSN, I feel like we have been friends for years.
Since I have access to a computer at work I,ll bet I check this board ten times a day.
Gary

 

[VIRIATO]

Hi,
Why do we collect? Me I got to the point of asking instead how can somebody not collect toy soldiers. Just looking at K&C or some others makes me wonder how can anybody resist. Well, OK, we're not all alike and so on but my first feeling is as above and only then I do get real...
For me collecting comes from an old passion for History, WWII included, mixed with a recent rediscovery of old childhood toy soldiers and playing with my young son. The internet also played an important part: how else could I find such a lot of information, international dealing, etc., in such a short time? What about this wonderful forum? I also like to feel that others share my passion for collecting: yes, I am not the only one and it´s no shame being a grown up child. Now, I guess another plus from collecting is communication with others, maybe one day we ( the members of this forum ) can all meet somewhere. If we don't, we meet here all the same.

Happy collecting,
Paulo