I used to collect Japanese tin toys!
Collecting can feel intimidating. It doesn’t matter what you’re interested in, getting into collectibles makes you feel like you don’t know where to start. Whether its records, old magazines, statues, vintage movie posters, or something few know about, collecting is a daunting activity if you don’t already do it.
That’s why it’s important to start somewhere. If you buy something you love because you love it, purchasing collectibles may quickly become a new hobby that you never thought you’d love as much as you do. Start somewhere and before you know it your collection will be solid. The biggest question is, what will you collect?
Vinyl Records
One of the most popular things to collect these days is vinyl records. Vinyl has made a comeback for a variety of reasons. It has a larger cover with larger artwork. The medium is fuller and warmer than digital files on a CD or a computer. Analog media makes the dynamics of the recording pop. Vinyl is highly sought-after because you can get your hands on old music and imports from other countries. They are the perfect collector item. Not only do they hold music you love in their vinyl grooves, but they are also a piece of artwork unto themselves.
Statues & Figures
Statues and figures from pop culture have become increasingly popular for collectors. These come in a variety of forms. Everything from sculptures to vinyl figures are available. If you are in love with a particular movie, TV show, comic book, or music icon a statue or figure may be the perfect thing to get into. What makes these collectibles great is that you can collect the totality of a cast or subject in the form of statues and figures. You can display them proudly or keep them in the box for maximum financial preservation. Whatever you’re into, statues and figures are fun collectible items.
Paper Collectibles
You might think that collecting anything paper is a waste of money. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether you are interested in old magazines, newspapers, vintage movie posters, or old books, paper collectibles are fragile and can be quite expensive. These items are highly coveted because they represent another time and can have great insight into the past. You’d be surprised at how many paper items you can collect. Go for signed books, magazines with your favorite musicians and actors, or posters of pop stars. There are plenty of options to get interested in paper collectibles.
Cards
Of course, another collectible item is trading cards. Probably the most popular are baseball cards, but there are all kinds of collectible cards. Beyond baseball, there are basketball and football cards, Magic: the Gathering cards, Pokémon cards, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, and much more. It doesn’t matter what you are interested in, there is a lot of money in collecting trading cards. You also get to look at them, play games with them, and learn statistics about your favorite players. You’ll be surprised, you can sell cards for a large chunk of money.
Other Sports Collectibles
Beyond sports cards, you can collect helmets, balls, baseball bats, jerseys, and other memorabilia. Depending on how much you want to spend, there are a lot of options for the sports nerd. You can even find gloves, shoes, and other items used by star players. Anything and everything can be signed by players. There are a lot of different options for collectibles when it comes to sports. The sky’s the limit.
Toys
While toys are typically played with by children, they can be lucrative collectible items. The older the toy is, the more valuable it will be. It is also a fun hobby. Finding old and vintage toys can be quite fun. These include Barbie and other dolls, toy cars, games, and more. If there is a toy that you loved when you were young or if you remember toys that were played with by your parents or grandparents, collecting toys is a great option.
When you are trying to get into collectibles, there are plenty of options. If you have a little money to spend, get started by buying your first item and seeing how you feel. It just may become a hobby that you continue for years to come.
