III.

Why People Collect

People have various reasons for collecting. For many it is simply a hobby. Sometimes, however, collecting becomes more than just a hobby—it can become all-consuming. It is not uncommon for collections to become extensive, such as collections of 10,000 die-cast cars, 600 porcelain vases, or several thousand cookie cutters. A collector may start with just a few items, only to feel an intense urge to acquire more. Some collectors have been known to fill their entire house with their collection, or rent storage space to handle the overflow. Often the only things limiting a personal collection are space and money.

An object or a collection’s investment potential motivates many collectors. Over time, sometimes even just a few months or years, collectibles may greatly increase in value and become a source of profit for those who choose to sell. Timing is everything, however. Once a collectibles market cools off, such as Ty Beanie Babies in the early 2000s, values can drop fast, although less common variations may still command high prices.

Many collectors insist that monetary value is a secondary factor in their collecting. They cite other reasons for pursuing their hobby, such as the knowledge gained in collecting, connections made with fellow collectors, and—perhaps most vitally—the pleasure that accompanies finding and acquiring a new and much-desired object. Some psychologists have suggested that humans feel the need to collect objects to overcome feelings of anxiety or loneliness, especially stemming from childhood. Other experts theorize that collectors are acting to assert control over objects and create order in their world. Psychologists also note that collecting is different from the condition known as hoarding. Collectors specialize in certain kinds of objects and usually organize their collections, whereas people who hoard tend to amass a random assortment of items and rarely take stock of their trove.