Getting to the end of your collection

[steve obi wan]

Do you ever think about getting to the end of your collection . Over the years , I have had 3 complete sets of loose figures , a complete moc collection , 1st 12 backs etc etc , and some how keep deciding to change my focuses .

I have down sized my collection over the last couple of years to have a complete 12 inch set and the 1st 12 back . With a small side focus of Jawa , only a couple of things I still want

Meccano Jawa , keep missing out on this wee bugger
3 pack collection , with the prices probably never get it

When I eventually score the last couple will it be over ! Has anyone ever finished ?

Views welcomed

 

[mumbo]

It's never over......................

 

[tiefighterboy]

There is no way i could ever own everything. So no end to my madness.

 

[spoons]

There is no way i could ever own everything. So no end to my madness.

ditto - there is always something new to be had

 

[_Lee_]

Its not over-ever

( i collect episode 1 aswell)

 

[steve obi wan]

Noooooooooooo! Not episode 1 :lol:

 

[theforceuk]

I do some times wander what I will feel when I get all 96 MOC Kenner debut run complete, if I ever do? Completing the loose run was a good feeling and like everyone else has said their's always something else to go for.

It was satisfying completing the 12 77 back's last month and that's how I see it now. Completing loads of mini runs along the way is fun and the way to go for me.

Best way to describe it for me is satisfying.

 

[sith-smith]

Every time I get to the end I just start something else.

I think collecting is in my genes

 

[andygo]

Started in 77 as a kid and still going strong now as I head inexorably closer to my fifties. .. it never ends goddammit.... it never ends !!!!

 

[palitoyjunky]

I have always collected something :!: from key rings back in junior school to Parker pens in senior school 8)
It's in my blood :? Get it from the old man and Mum

My focus is not an easy one to complete and I may never manage it :!: Bur even if I do I will most prob choose another focus t

 

[steve obi wan]

So it's the road to nowhere :lol:

 

[darth_daddius]

I'm not sure it would be as fulfilling if it ever ended.

Cheers,
Pat

 

[Mr-shifter]

I have to agree. For me this never ends. I have goals and in my head my collection is very coherent but that is subjective and I'm sure a few people would look at it and go wtf.

There is enough out there to keep me interested for multiple lifetimes. What I get most out of this hobby is patiently waiting for stuff to turn up at a price that's right for me. I don't feel any pressure to complete my loose or carded run because God willing I will be here for many more years. I don't want to rush and in the meantime I spend time being social with other collectors and learning more about the bits and pieces I have and may want to get in the future.

Oh, and it helps to also collect something that is new. I collect vintage themed Lego vehicles as well.

 

[Snaketibe]

For me, and I imagine most collectors, the greatest interest is to be had whilst I am still collecting; whilst there is still something out there that I am looking to add to my collection. Once a collection is 'complete', however you define that, you will always be faced with a 'what now?' question. My loose vintage figure collection was 'complete' in my eyes many years ago, and whilst I certainly still enjoyed the fact that I still had it, and more importantly had it on display where I could see it (otherwise the collection is essentially in my head, as well as loads of boring brown cardboard boxes), the shine inevitably came off it for me after a while. I still loved it, but nothing beats the feeling of acquiring THAT new piece you've been after for ages; the thrill of tracking down that nagging, illusive omission staring at you from your collection like a missing tooth.

The way I have tackled it is to redefine what I want my loose collection to be. Although it was by many collectors' definition 'complete', inasmuch as I have all the major variants most people know about, I realised I cared a lot more than I previously thought I did about the lesser variants. Many of these I had known about for ages, but hadn't previously cared enough about to include in my display, and many are completely new to me and about which I am still discovering more as I research and delve deeper into the subject. I doubt I'll ever care about owning every COO variation for every figure. I respect collectors that decide for them that is where their interests lie and what they want to collect, but for me I have breathed new life and purpose into my collecting by deciding to try to get as many visually different variants as I personally find interesting. I'm not going to try to track down every one in existence, as many variants I simply don't like and or consider 'different enough' for me to want to own, but for those figures where interesting (to me) variations exist that I do not currently own, I find I have plenty of figures still to track down over the coming months and years. Suddenly my loose figure collection is a lot more interesting to me once again!

 

[hellhippie]

It's never over......................

and that's why I love it

 

[steve obi wan]

Great insight guys ,

I have been collecting for 37 years and although I have downsized my collection , I still have some items I want .

So the journey wil not be over for me , just yet

 

[ODB]

No matter what it seems, price fluctuations, duff movies, saturation of the market, it seems the urge is always there.

 

[x-pack]

I was once after a set of ESB cardbacks. Just one of each figure in reasonable condition. Managed that within 6 months and felt fulfilled after. No emotions like 'now what?', just content 8)

 

[SAVORY100]

Interesting topic!

I guess for me the goal was to complete my loose run; loved doing this and its still the part of my collection I'm most proud of. I actually considered it complete without a VCJ until last FF when I finally got one and now it really does feel complete.

- I looked at variants as a basic key variant run to add to the loosies, then started looking at COOs (on reflection a bad idea), a real labour of love and although its not for me, I have ever more respect of the guys out there doing these huge collecting runs.
- then I went after a full set of MOC; one of every figure on any cardback; loved it, but kind of regret how I approached it at the same time as it became shopping rather than collecting until the last 2-3 I needed. If I could do it again, I might have broken it into more manageable and defined portions/runs that became the full set over time. It may yet through upgrades and trades mean that a number of the pieces I own change over the years to be more focussed. I like the idea of each figure being on a cardback relating to the film the figure is from for example.
- Next run I did was a full set of vehicles and playsets; again any box version; again a bit of shopping and a bit of collecting and a lot of space needed!
- while looking at the other bits I'd somehow got into Han as a focus.. got a basic set of MOC, then a baggie and a 12" and a blaster model kit and some oddball then it all started to get expensive (silly figure to choose!), so he's pretty much on hold, oddball bits aside for now.
- then I started looking at the cheaper oddball bits I had and picked up some even odder bits. I also started rounding out my HCF collection a bit... possibly the most fun I've had in the hobby outside of the loose run actually.
- then the Rebel soldier (Hoth) run started... this is much cheaper (even the blaster is pretty readily available) and actually a lot of fun because he can be an army builder too!

In my opinion, it either keeps getting bigger, or diversifies or of course refocusses... but end... err no, it doesn't end... please don't say it ends.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[bobbybobs]

I think my focus could keep me going for a few more decades. My buying has slowed down though and to be honest I wouldn't be too worried if I didn't add much more to it. I've reached the point where I own enough Luke pieces to make me happy.