There are many people that tend to accumulate things and preserve them, taking a sense of joy doing this eventhough some would think of this as a vanity and serve no practical purpose at all. But there is nothing that will prevent these wonderful people from getting fascinated in making collecting as their hobby and center of their attraction so as to speak.

Some collector enthusiast’s perennials would be rocks of different textures, shapes and sizes, trading cards (of various sports superstars and personalities, where rookie, rare and those autograph trading cards are considered to be premiums and much sought after) and old stamps and vintage coins (from different nation in the world).

Others meanwhile would love to collect dolls, stuffed animals, toys (miniature cars, robots, action figures, etc.) spoons, coins, medals, postcards, watches, antiques, music recordings ( of Beatles, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson & even present stars), antiques ( grand father clocks, old furniture & appliances, china ceramics & porcelains)

One US lawyer for instance has 200 railroad nails on his collection there are also some vintage cars aficionados here in the Philippines. Philippines former first lady Imelda Marcos then became famous for her more than 7,000 branded shoe collection, which can fill a department store.

Some collections are bizarre & unimaginable us they collect barbwires, cigarette butts, napkin with logo, match boxes, chocolate and candy wrappers.

Harper’s Magazine stated: “It is amazing the things people collect- teeth & toupees , skulls and cookie jars, trolley-car, tickets, hair & fans & kites & forceps, dogs & coins, canes, canaries & shoes… buttons and bones hatpins and forged signatures and first editions and gas masks.’

A Russian countess accumulated bedpans that was once the possessions of the rich and famous.

One Japanese regent had a collection of 5,000 dogs, which are housed in lavished kennels. Harper’s Magazine further said, a wealthy collector brought together thousands of fleas preserved in spirits in individual vials, marked with the place of origin and with the name of the host animal or human, on which the flea had been found.”

Collecting things dates back to the ancient times. Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (7^th century B.C.E.) sent his scribes to very far places to search and gather copies of early records and documents for his loyal library situated at Nineveh.In 1853 Ashurbanipal’s palace that houses this amazing library was unearthed and unraveled.

The Greek and Roman aristocrats were not to be outdone as they are well-known for art-collections. Art dealers filled the entire city blocks with masterpieces, while some wealthy citizens owns private museum.

The Encyclopedia American said “People pursue hobbies for many reasons but mainly for fun-Hobbies are relaxing and offer a change from daily routines.” This is perhaps the reason why people collect things is to enjoy cherished items they acquired.

A hobbyist collection can actually bring back memories of people and landmarks on places that were linked to some long lost region. Collecting things can be worthwhile. Rex Nan Kivell, popular Australian collectors have a staggering collection of 15,000 items that are linked to the earliest history of New Zealand and Australia.

One of the reason why collecting is famous is that people believe that this hobby is a form of financial investment. For instance a Kobe Bryant rookie card was pegged at $5.00 each then, but now each will cost you $60 each.

But not all is well in collecting. Not all sellers are authentic and fakes and forgeries are also plenty and scattered in the trading blocks.

Collecting can be taxing at times for it can consume our valuable time and energy. It can also cause you restlessness and turn you to eccentric.

Dubbed as “an unruly passion” collecting can be a great source of fun, a form of relaxation and can be educational pastime for as long as collecting is kept in its proper perspective and done with balance and moderation.

My fourteenth (14th hub) in the HubChallenge (Second batch)

This hub will be reinforced with more pictures hehehe...

Enjoy Hubbing and Surfing...