What makes a collectible?

     What makes a collectible?  Several people have asked us, "why do people collect things such as action figures?" The easiest way to look at the question is in three different aspects.  First, does the person relate to the item.  Then you have the person that simply likes the character or theme that the action figure represents.  Another form that people do not even realize at first. They fall in love with the artistry that the card or figure represents.  So now you ask yourself, is there anything in your life that brings about these emotions.

     Exploring the first question, "do I relate to the item?" That is not as simple as you think.  I can look at a Papa Smurf and realize that the Smurfs transform me back to a time in my life when life was easier.  As a child, Saturday morning cartoons were the only time to watch a block of animated characters giving you an escape from your normal chores and school work.  During the 1980's, we were introduced to a variety of characters, such as He-man from the Masters of the Universe to Rainbow Brite.  Every decade offers you several characters and themes that allow you to be taken back to a time that most will see as wonderful times in their lives. With the introduction of G.I. Joe in the 1960's action figures have become the staple of collectibles for people.  We can thank the success of Barbie in the 1950's that created the need for action figures in the toy aisles.  During that time, boys were not allowed to play with "dolls", so we got the action figure name instead. Our opinion, this tends to be the number one reason people collect action figures.

     Sometimes we can just be intrigued with a character or theme and you pick up an item on purpose.  Personally I am a Frankenstein fan, yes I know it technically is Frankenstein's Monster. I like to collect items with his likeness.  My collection will drive me to pick up action figures, statues, and basically most items that represent him. Using our favorite Frankenstein, you have other collectors that collect the entire line of Universal Monsters characters in all forms.  Similar to our collection but on a larger scale. You will also find people that collect the entire DC Comics, Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek lines to name a few.

     The one that got me collecting the most, is the artistry. Even as a young kid, I would open my G1 Transformers transform them and put them on a shelf to display.  I appreciated them more like a statue then a toy.  Even today, I like Super7 action figures based on the art of the card.  The figure is as simplistic as can be, be the artwork on the card is fantastic.  There is an appreciation for the figures also, such as the Rancid Skeletim figure charged or the Agnostic Front Eliminator action figures. I can go on and on about each of the action figures in the world and how they appeal to the artistic value I put on them.  

     The next time you look at your action figures, ask yourself, what is it about that figure do I enjoy most?  There is never a wrong answer, but maybe a greater appreciation for it.  Remember, almost everyone collects something.  They do not always realize they are.  Had a buddy who told me that he does not understand people who collect toys.  Asking him some questions, we both came to the conclusion that he collects pint glasses from breweries he has been to. He never realized that was his collection.  The best part about collecting, you chose when, how, and why you added each piece to your collection.  Happy collecting my friends.