discussion Maker or Collector?

[Dave Ward]

Following Colin M's Matchbox Mercedes SSK build, it got me wondering about makers, or collectors. I'm a maker - all of the models I buy, I have the best intention of making ( I'm obviously expecting to live to 150! ). I don't really care about the condition of the box, what packaging it has, or if it's a special issue - as long as the plastic is OK I'm happy. This means I don't expect to pay top price for second-hand models ( pre-owned, pre-loved etc etc ). I do have a few duplicates, mainly because they were cheap, or unexpectedly winning auctions!
Collectors - I recently saw a list that a gentleman put on a forum, mainly the Airfix 1/32 Vintage cars in his collection. He had multiples of many models, just differing in their packaging ( some of which I can't recall ever seeing! ). He was looking for a Bond Bug to complete his collection. Now, at a push, I can understand wanting an example of every model, but I cannot understand why one model in multiple different packaging! He's not alone, the high prices asked for, and seemingly given on ebay for certain models surely can't be makers, but the collectors.
What is your feeling on collectors? We obviously have makers on the forum, but collectors? :thinking:
Dave

 

[Steve Jones]

With the size of some of the guys stash's on this forum I suspect there are some collectors amongst us

 

[Gern]

My stash is currently about 500 models. Like you, I bought them with every intention of building them and don't care about specific versions/multiple copies/collector's items etc.. Unlike you though, at the rate I build, I'd need to live to be about 400 to get them all finished - assuming I don't buy any more. So I guess that makes me more of a collector - although I didn't start out that way, it was early onset of stashitis what done it!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Collectors are a human phenomenon, and are found in all fields from baseball cards to Ferraris. The different packaging collector is just an extreme case of the same thing. I think at the extreme it’s a form of OCD, much like our hobby can become in some cases

 

[Dave Ward]

I suppose it's your own perception - no intention of building the model = collector
- every intention of building the model = maker ( no matter how improbable! )
Dave

 

[Guest]

I remember seeing one of James May's programmes where he bought a vintage Hornby train at an auction, all boxed and pristine, a real collector's item, then promptly took it out of the box, gave that to a member of staff for disposal, and went and played with the train.

I don't buy kits as a collector, but I have collected in my time - British studio pottery, African tribal art, prehistoric flint tools etc. I find collecting to be a means to a definite end - you buy it admire it, then put it on display, then itch to buy the next one - ultimately unsatisfying for me.

 

[KarlW]

Inadverdantly a collector, though I'm not buying everything that makes me go, ooh anymore.

 

[AlanG]

If you have a stash i would call you a collector as well as a maker. I am both although i am not going to the lengths i was a few years ago when i bought kits just because they were my favourite subject. I had over 40 1/32 kits of the Fw190 alone.
I have every intention of making the kits i have now which is why i am only after a few more kits. I know my build speed and it is not conjusive to having a large stash.

 

[KarlW]

Sure what's the problem with buying more kits than you can build.......

 

[Guest]

Buy kits for the intent of building, have enough in the stash Christine informs to probely out last me :disappointed:.


Can see however the appeal of collecting

I used to collect old packaging, signs, tins, cartons etc. Had well over several hundred, all went to auction, with the exception of anything with a Royal Connection and those very small salesman's samples tins.
View attachment 391763
The remainder on display in the cave less the Royal ones.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Interesting picture that Karl. Reminds me of the tale of the war gamer whose loft collapsed into his bedroom due to the size of his stash....lead is a lot heavier than plastic so it can’t happen to us.......can it?

 

[KarlW]

Interesting picture that Karl. Reminds me of the tale of the war gamer whose loft collapsed into his bedroom due to the size of his stash....lead is a lot heavier than plastic so it can’t happen to us.......can it?

No I think we're safe........
(Disclaimer, this poster accepts no responsibility for any stash related injury or death.)

 

[Guest]

I'm not a collector. I keep what I need and if I haven't used it for any amount of time or don't think I ever will I get rid of it or pass it on to someone that will.

I would go so far as to say I am an anti-collector. In my mind, a thing isn't the thing it was meant to be unless it has done the thing it was designed for. I.e, a toy is only a toy if it has been played with. Until then it's a potential toy. I guess it's a Schrodinger's cat type thing...

I once bought a Matchbox 1992 special edition Nigel Mansell commemorative car set. I then gave it to my four (now eight) year old who promptly annihilated the box and set about lining them up with all his others. He still has it, it fulfilled it's destiny and has the scars to prove it.

As to my opinion of collectors, I'm not sure. On one hand they have the right and to some extent I can understand the urge to possess the things that you are interested in. There's also the preservation point of view, for which we should be thankful as it's these guys that preserve the vehicles we recreate in miniature and keep things like heritage railways going.
On the other hand, I can't understand people that aren't content with just looking at and appreciating things. I also resent the fact that it is almost exclusively collectors that drive the prices of things up way beyond what they are actually worth.
On balance I guess I'd say that I would prefer it if collectors didn't collect the things I want to play with!

 

[Dave Ward]

One thing that strikes me, when I see vintage toys, immaculate in box, is how sad it is!
Sad because no-one has had the pleasure of playing with it, denying its' original function!
What sort of child would be given a toy, then either not allowed to play with it, or deciding to preserve it mint, as an investment? I'm not talking about the Solido era, but the Dinky/Matchbox/Corgi era ( mid 50s to mid 70's? )
Dave

 

[AlanG]

One thing that strikes me, when I see vintage toys, immaculate in box, is how sad it is!
Sad because no-one has had the pleasure of playing with it, denying its' original function!

Suppose that could be said about model collectors too. I've been looking for 1/32 Hasegawa Fw190 A5/6/7 and Revell Ju88 A4 kits for a while now. Because people hardly build them but 'stash' them, the prices go up stupidly. I want to build the ones i get. But i'm not prepared to pay £65+ for a kit that cost £32 originally. Just looking on Scalemates shows how many people have these kits. How many will actually build them though? Therefore denying the very reason they were created for.

 

[Mini Me]

Collecting is in our DNA..............We as humans have been hunting and gathering from the beginning of time. It's what we do. That is why modelers have a stash.........we don't want to run out of what we consider to be an essential part of our existence. I am happily both a collector and a maker of models. Part of the reason I can't throw away or pack up built models for storage.......They, in and of themselves have become a collection for myself and others to enjoy looking at. Where would we be as a race if we had nothing (museums) to remind us of our past....some of the greatest collections in the world are in museums. As far as the price of collectibles..........nothing more than supply and demand. Want to buy at low prices, buy the product that is produced in the millions. The internet has done more to drive prices up than anything. It pits the entire world against itself to compete for a few objects on auction whether there are millions or not available.....competitive buying is a great motivator to separate one from their hard earned money. I often see items being bid up beyond retail for something that can be currently purchased in shops locally. Something to consider the next time we secure a "real bargain" on the net. Cheers fellow modelers and collectors.

 

[Guest]

I've always suffered from OCD that in the past resulted in collections of stamps, coins, notes, matchbox toys and fountain pens - to name several - plus a manic participation in sport to international level until some insight kicked in. Reading 'The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction is Not a Disease' by Marc Lewis (ISBN 1610394372) gave me enough information to explain and manage the condition and its impulses. My interest in scale modelling is primarily as a maker, but the OCD driven collecting helps to maintain a fairly largish stash (150+).

One advantage is that when I do finish a model, I have plenty to choose from for my next build. Strangely enough, I'm not fussed about collecting completed models. For example, I'm just finishing off a 1/48 Curtiss P-40B that is a much better build than the similar one sitting in the display cabinet. When the former is completed the latter will be binned. The mind works in very strange ways ...

 

[Guest]

As to opinions of collectors - live and let live eh?

 

[Tim Marlow]

Yep, my sentiments as well Peter.

 

[Mini Me]

Dittos.............