What drives us to build collections? I have several collections that I am building and I started to think what was behind each one. I collect die cast cars, brass themed pencil sharpeners, magic cards, pocket watches, keys, and Schrade pocket knives. Some of my collections are extensive, my die cast car collection is over 10,000 cars. Others I have limited amounts of items, like the Schrade and pocket watch ones. Some are long time collections and others relatively new.
So as I look at each collection there are certain themes that I was able to identify as to how the collection started.
- Nostalgia, memories of childhood gifts or good times
- Limited Access, the original Schrade company is gone so collecting antique knives made sense
- A specific experience
By far nostalgia is the largest driver in my collections. Items that bring back memories like playing with Hot Wheels cars, my Grandpa’s old pocket watches, or my first pocket knife. All of my favorite collections are connected to these memories. Other collections like the keys and pencil sharpeners came about by finding one on the road or in an antique shop. These I collect because I think they are cool.
I guess I would ask y’all, what do you collect and what was the driving factor behind starting that collection?
