Vintage Star Wars collecting motivation?

[Dublinjeff]

Like most people on here, I reckon I got back into collecting a number of years after having some form of a childhood collection. I know I started back after stumbling across an auction on eBay for an R2D2 figure

From that, I started into building a loose collection, consisting of a number of purchases courtesy of Iain, who in turn introduced me to this forum.

From there it was a slippery slope into MOC, last 17 and much, much more :roll: I dabbled in an AT AT Commander focus, collecting a number of MOC figures. All the while though I couldn't help feeling that I was collecting for the sake of collecting, if that makes any sense! I was like a magpie picking up anything that was shiny and nice. Soon enough, I seriously lost the motivation for picking up anymore vintage star wars.

I completed my loose collection and First 12 figures MOC, an achievement in itself for me. I loved the set-up on display. However, over the last few weeks I have decided to sell up completely to focus on my Luke Farmboy collection. I have picked up some excellent pieces recently and feel that I have a renewed interest in collecting again....

I guess my question here is, do people reckon it takes a number of years collecting before you know/decide on what makes you happy? I know it's taken me the last 2 years to fully decide on where I want to go in this hobby. I couldn't be happier now, even though I have let go some really nice pieces, 12 Back cards etc.

Appreciate your views lads

 

[JuniorChubb]

My motivation has dwindled recently...

Having to buy vintage from my younger brother has destroyed my confidence as well as my Vintage ego. :lol:

In truth I only need a few last 17 figures for my loose run, an SW Wally MOC, an ESB Wally MOC, a Wally baggie and a Meccano loose Wally and I am all done for my main goals. I just have not had the cash recently as during the summer my motivation has lean't toward BMX parts. Once the winter kicks in I am sure more time on the PC will lead to more Vintage purchases.

I think with only a few pieces left to go I have run out of steam a bit, SWFUK keeps me focused and interested though, its still my first port of call after booting up.

As for knowing what you want, I think with collecting the goal posts are always moving. If you have plenty of cash you soon complete your goals and get bored and move on to a new path or focus. If you have a smaller budget the long road to your goals may leave you time to get bored and again take another path. I don't think we stay happy with what we have for very long as the grass is always seems greener on the other side, when in reality it rarely is.

 

[Dublinjeff]

I don't think we stay happy with what we have for very long as the grass is always seems greener on the other side, it rarely is.

A great point, well made....I think that's exactly the problem I found. Early on I kept seeing what other collectors had/were doing and felt I had to follow suit. It was only when I realised that the collection I had initially put together could allow me focus on what I actually wanted to do ie: my Luke farmboy focus.

Pieces that I thought were beyond my reach when I started out, money wise, I realised were tied up in pieces I had in my collection that didn't hold any real value to me, collecting wise

 

[JuniorChubb]

Yup, that's why keeping it personal works better in the long run, that way its easier to stay on track.

I have a personal attachment to my Walrus Man so that focus is never going away.

I have always wanted the full loose run so I am not sure what will happen when I complete it. I hope I don't start selling to fund other vintage purchases.

But those MOC's look so good :?

 

[Grant_C]

MOCs are the best.

BUT.....just love what you have. Enjoy it.

I don't think it matters if you have 25 loose or 25 carded. As long as your hobbie is making you happy.

I have goals and now that they are being reached, its fun to slow the pace and enjoy the time.

 

[Michael Sith]

MOCs are the best.

BUT.....just love what you have. Enjoy it.

I don't think it matters if you have 25 loose or 25 carded. As long as your hobbie is making you happy.

I have goals and now that they are being reached, its fun to slow the pace and enjoy the time.

Succinctly put

To be Happy with your lot that's the trick of it :wink:

 

[tiefighterboy]

I have had no focus for over 20 years of collecting. Anything vintage was the focus. :wink:

 

[poncho]

I have had no focus for over 20 years of collecting. Anything vintage was the focus. :wink:

amen brother..............same here :lol:

 

[rob71]

I started out collecting in May this year, having not bought a single vintage item since 1983. Somewhat naively, I thought at first that I may be able to put together a 12-back MOC run for an affordable amount. One quick reality check later, I've decided to complete my loose figures (along with affordable MOCs and boxed vehicles that catch my eye), and with only 45 of my childhood figures when I started again, I reckon it will take me a while. For the first couple of months I was rushing about a bit and trying to buy everything I saw, now I'm content to just take my time; after all, its been in the market 30 odd years already, another year or two won't hurt. I must say that joining this forum and getting to know some of the guys here has made the whole thing much more enjoyable

 

[x-pack]

Some sort of MOC run is always a good one. For me the choice was easy - ESB backs because they are what I started buying back in the early 80's. Others seem to like the ANH or ROTJ backs, Proofs, Palitoy, Miscards etc. All great items to collect. We're spoiled really because just about all vintage Star Wars items were brilliantly designed.

Just think about what means the most to you Go with that

 

[TC-14]

Upon joining this forum in May of this year, I was a slow starter in knowing what to acquire vintage-wise. Like Barry, I hadn't bought anything Star Wars since 1982. Power Of The Force, Last 17 were all new concepts to me- I had no idea of their existence previously (I still don't know what that large lizard type figure is called, and did it actually appear in any film? :lol: ).

Over the following months I began to align myself with what made me happy in childhood: this being what is now termed oddball, but at the time it satisfied a thirst for all things Star Wars from the films release in 1977 up to the hugely anticipated introduction of the first wave of figures in 1978... branded soaps, pencil cases, character masks (one of my first purchases that was from you, Jeff!), Letraset action scenes, badges...

From there I began to realise where my heart lay, and that was in the period '77 to '82. My collection will probably not make much sense to anybody else, as it will be far from 'complete' in most people's eyes, as my loose figure run will only encapsulate Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back.

As Rob mentioned on the MOC front, I soon realised that I got back into the game far too late to hope of getting a first 12 run together, especially as my passion is for Palitoy rather than Kenner, but after chatting with Gary and Jason I have found that collecting just the cardbacks of the first 20 is giving me a great goal to aim for, and satisfying that nostalgic yearning. By the way, Jeff: I forgot to thank you for (unknowingly) bidding up the Palitoy Luke Farmboy cardback up to an eye-watering £90 just a few weeks ago on ebay :lol: I am pleased with that purchase, though- and glad to get one of the most expensive ones 'out of the way'!

MOC-wise, lack of room in my humble abode dictates that I have to be selective in what I buy, so this keeps me on track (and is probably rather good for my bank balance). I'm happy with acquiring one or two (he says :roll: ) mint on card examples, my first being a Meccano Jawa (thanks again, Jeff!). A Harbert one from the first 20 would be nice, too...

I've got quite a lot to go at personally, especially as I have already started on my Popy ESB run (cheers, Erik ) a little earlier than was intended, but I've learnt that things don't go as planned in this hobby. This would be nowhere near as fun without SWFUK and the smashing people I've met through this forum.

Jeff, it must have been a hard decision to make, selling up your collection originally, but I'm glad it's got you fired up again with a new focus on Luke Farmboy. Keep at it, my friend.

Apologies for the long winded reply, I can go on a bit :lol:

 

[Jez]

What's my motivation?

Because i love it, it makes me happy.

It's my golf, my fishing, my polishing the car etc etc

I still find myself nipping in to the spare room almost every night to have a look at my collection.

I love the memories, the colours, the sculpts, the fact that every day is a school day. I love the fact that it can also be a family thing bonding generations such as Chubbs and Junior Junior, Liam and Liam's Dad and me and Jez Jnr!

I work for an organisation with over 32,000 people, however i have more in common with all of you guys than almost every one of them.

For me, i can't see it ending I just may have to rethink my displaying options

 

[Michael Sith]

What's my motivation?

Because i love it, it makes me happy.

It's my golf, my fishing, my polishing the car etc etc

I still find myself nipping in to the spare room almost every night to have a look at my collection.

I love the memories, the colours, the sculpts, the fact that every day is a school day. I love the fact that it can also be a family thing bonding generations such as Chubbs and Junior Junior, Liam and Liam's Dad and me and Jez Jnr!

I work for an organisation with over 32,000 people, however i have more in common with all of you guys than almost every one of them.

For me, i can't see it ending I just may have to rethink my displaying options

Very eloquent mate, fantastic sum up, perfectly describes it for me.

I'm 50 and my son is 30 we've been collecting on and off since he was a nipper

Agree .....This forum has the Friendliest group of people I've ever known, no pre requisites or hidden agendas

Great post mate

 

[Grant_C]

If you want motivation then its best to go to meet ups and conventions and speak with like minded people.

They justify your crazy passion and inspire new direction and collecting evolutions.

 

[Grant_C]

Agree .....This forum has the Friendliest group of people I've ever known, no pre requisites or hidden agendas

I find when I have spent £300 on a piece of cardboard its good to have a sense of humour :lol:

 

[Jez]

Thanks Michael, and I couldn't agree more with Grant about the meeting up at conventions.
FF, FF2 and CE2 were fantastic fun!

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

If you want motivation then its best to go to meet ups and conventions and speak with like minded people.

They justify your crazy passion and inspire new direction and collecting evolutions.

Agree 100% CE2 was a blast!

 

[Stormtrooper37]

If you want motivation then its best to go to meet ups and conventions and speak with like minded people.

They justify your crazy passion and inspire new direction and collecting evolutions.

Agree 100% CE2 was a blast!

Agree - conventions are the best motivation going, makes it all worth while and inspires you to to going. This forum is another great source of motivation

 

[timbo72]

I have been collecting for almost 2 yrs after the mrs got me 2 new mocs as a stocking filler for xmas 2011 and i went on the bay to see about vintage.

At first i bought everything i could and lots of beaters/ army builders. Then i sold some off and started a cheap rotj moc run

At the same time trying to complete my loose run and b wing focus

Then i had a vision, stuff the beaters and cheaper mocs, all i wanted was a complete minty loose run and a sweet B wing pilot focus.

Thats taken almost 2 years but now im slowy looking to create a few scenes using cheaper figures and get some variants to go with the loose

On reflection my motivation is

Having a nice display that im happy with/proud to own

A unique B wing pilot focus

 

[itfciain]

I like MOCs