Collect Us All!
Stories about collections, collector culture and the reasons why we collect.
Collector Culture
How collecting has changed for me across decades of the hobby
How collecting has changed for me across decades of the hobby
A self examination of the changes in awareness and viability, from my earliest collection to potential new ones I might start in 2026.
Nostalgia or the norm? Unpacking the curious case of vinylâs long play
Nostalgia or the norm? Unpacking the curious case of vinylâs long play
âVinylâs back!â those of us over the age of 30 still casually proclaim in conversation, blissfully ignorant to the fact that itâs been back for over a decade now. Some might argue it never really wâŚ
Collection hunting at Barry Potter toy fairs
Collection hunting at Barry Potter toy fairs
As a vibrant UK toy fair scene bubbles to the surface from the underground, one event organiser has been in the game for over 30 years.
Wild In Artâs sculpture trails make the fun of collecting accessible to all
Wild In Artâs sculpture trails make the fun of collecting accessible to all
If youâve lived in the UK during the past 15 years youâve probably seen, at the very least, one in a series of sculptures curated by Wild In Art. The business works with local partners to create puâŚ
Can you collect without using Amazon?
Can you collect without using Amazon?
(My experience over the past five years of treating the gargantuan retailer as a last resort option.) In November 2019 I was inspired by a blog post Luke Leighfield wrote on âHow (and why) to quit âŚ
20 months and a lifetime of mixtapes
20 months and a lifetime of mixtapes
The Collector Mindset
Collect Responsibly â Gamifying the pursuit of good beer
Collect Responsibly â Gamifying the pursuit of good beer
In the era of craft, Untappd serves as a journal and compass for the avid beer tourist.
Does collecting create fun from the mundane?
Does collecting create fun from the mundane?
Iâm making a case for the much maligned motorway service station to be reimagined as a Great British collectable.
Do limited edition food products appeal to the collector mindset?
Do limited edition food products appeal to the collector mindset?
(A look at some of the weird and wonderful product variants that make supermarket shelves a bit more fun.) Why are there suddenly so many flavours of Jammie Dodgers? Be honest, weâve all been wondeâŚ
My Collections
The NatWest pigs may have made me a collector for life
The NatWest pigs may have made me a collector for life
Iâve been a collector for as far back as I can remember. With a little extra time on my hands in the past few years to lean into some retrospective thinking, Iâve become interested in wâŚ
How two Pez dispensers led to a collection of over a thousand
How two Pez dispensers led to a collection of over a thousand
Although my first collection was the set of NatWest piggy banks in the late 1980s (I wrote about those here), the one Iâm probably known best for is my two decade long haul of Pez. You know, the châŚ
The mad merchandise of The Phantom Menace
The mad merchandise of The Phantom Menace
25+ years later Iâm still finding and buying items from one of Star Wars biggest merchandising campaigns. Letâs explore why.
Word for word: When song lyrics became a collectable
Word for word: When song lyrics became a collectable
Smash Hitsâ Songwords Cards were a genius way to access and collect lyrics before Genius.
40 years down the line with Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends
40 years down the line with Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends
Tracking the journey of one of my earliest collections, which may have reached its final stop, back with me after decades of drivers.
Christmas traditions and nostalgia present in our bauble collection
Christmas traditions and nostalgia present in our bauble collection
Collecting Star Wars
Farthest From
Farthest From
Kicking off a trilogy of articles about the âgo toâ events for Star Wars collectors, we begin in the unlikeliest of places: Fordingbridge, Hampshire (or is it?)
Echo Base Live
Echo Base Live
In the second article of a trilogy covering âgo toâ events for Star Wars collectors, we move north to find the Force in a midlands shopping centre.
Star Wars Celebration
Star Wars Celebration
All roads, or hyperspace lanes, lead to Celebration, as we conclude our trilogy of articles covering the go-to events for Star Wars collectors.
Collector Road Trip
House on the Hill Toy Museum
House on the Hill Toy Museum
Nestled away at Mountfitchet Castle near Stansted is an oasis for toy collectors and pop culture fans that crosses generations.
House of Marbles
House of Marbles
Our first stop in a new series of intriguing places for everyone to visit, from the curious traveller to the seasoned collector.
Brighton Toy and Model Museum
Brighton Toy and Model Museum
Our second stop in a new series of intriguing places for everyone to visit, from the curious traveller to the seasoned collector.
National Film and Sci-Fi Museum
National Film and Sci-Fi Museum
Our third stop in a series of intriguing places for everyone to visit, from the curious traveller to the seasoned collector.
Lynton Toy Museum
Lynton Toy Museum
The Wonder Works
The Wonder Works
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