It usually starts with just one, then comes another one. "It's not yet enough. I could do better." Three, four, five, and soon, you'll just keep on wanting more; hence, where the collection begins. Collectibles could be anything, from wine to coins and stamps to comics and figures to bottle caps and personally, I admire collectors; their dedication is really something. I honestly envy how they have this passion. You could really feel their commitment and enthusiasm towards it especially when you start talking to them about it. They won't be having any trouble expressing their feelings about it and could go on for hours talking about it without missing a beat!
Collections could be as small as stamps, but could go as big as furniture. But what's your reason for collecting? Where does it all start? In my opinion, to reminisce the feeling of nostalgia, to support a new hobby or interest, to quench the thrill and challenge of finding, to have something others don't, or to deem it as a future investment are the five main motivations to start a collection.
A kitty with a red ribbon - first thing that comes into mind? Of course, Hello Kitty! I have known this character as far as I can remember and I'm sure some people have grew with this character. It's design has been in the market since. The franchise has become a billion dollar business for Sanrio, the Japanese company who created Hello Kitty. Although originally designed to attract female pre-teens to teens, the brand has climbed it's way up and has become popular throughout all age brackets. Hello Kitty designs can be found in a wide variety of products from cars, school supplies (notebooks, pencils, erasers, etc.), fashion accessories (bags, hair clips, bracelets, etc.), jewelry and many more, to the point it has released its own animated series and video game. Because of it's wide spread popularity, it's no surprise people have started to collect Hello Kitty products. Some probably did because of the popular trend (joining the bandwagon) that spiked an interest towards the character, but some have started collecting in order to relieve their nostalgia of the character.
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| Natasha Goldsworth and her Hello Kitty Collection Read more about it here |
Luckily today, Hello Kitty establishments are located all around the world to cater the fans and for their collection, but besides the nostalgia, it's still a challenge tracking them down. Most collectibles are not only hard to find, but expensive as well. It satisfies and gives you joy but nonetheless, puts a hole in your wallet. Bragging rights just come right after the hard work (and thrill) of finding the items that you have something others don't, but I think there's more to it; this isn't enough for them to be motivated to start their collection in the first place. Collectors should have basic interest towards the topic and starting a collection would definitely widen and deepen their curiosity.
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| Hello Kitty Land in Japan Source from Google Images |
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| Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae, Korea Source from Google Images |
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| Hello Kitty store in Japan Source from Google Images |
Besides the reasons of nostalgia and just interest as a hobby, a collection could do a good profit. Usually, collectibles increase value as time pass by because of its "antiqueness". As much as people would like to think that they are collecting for fun and out of their hobby, I'm sure at the back of their minds, they would secretly hope their collectibles would someday sell for big bucks, but it goes that not all collectibles would do so. It would, of course, depend on the market (supply and demand) and the condition of the item. Like cars and comics, for example. No matter what happens, cars would definitely sell less for second hand, considering the condition as well, regardless of how old. Comics, the way I see it, isn't any different though I know there are some exceptions to it. Plus, it would be harder to sell because of the saturated market it is into and the availability of soft copies in the internet wouldn't do any good to the seller as well.
In the end, collectors are starting their collection not for the sake of others, but for themselves. Gaining profit is besides the point. Collecting is for them to enjoy and feel happy about it!
