Collectible?

What is a collectible really?  Depending on your opinion, this word can conjure up quite a few different mental pictures.  How many items does it take to make a collection?  One, two or twenty?  If you have more than 100 of one type of item are you a professional collector or just obsessed? 

And how does a thing become collectible anyway?  Does more than one person have to desire it?  A dozen people perhaps.  Do you have to join a club to be considered a serious collector? 

Collections come in all shapes and sizes like people.  You may know someone who collects carnival glass and they think your collection of Pez dispensers is just a passing fancy.  Generally people don't know they're starting a collection until someone points it out to them by saying something like "do you really need 30 cookie jars".  It starts small with an item they probably have fond memories of.  The fun thing about collections is you don't even have to have all of the same item.  You can mix and match items that enhance your collection. 

Advertising items are a very popular type of collection.  I collect advertising items and it started with grocery items.  Tin cans with wonderful artwork  Glass bottles with paper labels just as fine.  Why didn't people throw these items away.  What possessed them to use the product inside and then keep the container?  Most likely the reason was re-use and because tupperware hadn't been invented yet.  People use to keep containers like this so they could store something else in it later.  I do find items from time to time that are still completely full of whatever product it's suppose to have in it.  Grocery items today don't seem to have the elaborate decoration on their labels and their containers aren't manufactured of the 'tough' stuff but they can be just as fun. 

So are you a serious collector or just like the way things look together on a shelf or windowsill?  You are not alone.  Good luck with your collection and stay tuned for more ramblings.