I’ve received numerous letters and e-mails from readers asking what types of things I collect. Some have asked an even bigger question: Why do we collect? There are various schools of thought on this topic. Here are some things I’ve noticed.

Chuck Berry painted by Outsider artist
Lamar Sorrento

First, there are people who collect for investment. They don’t feel strongly about a particular collectible, they simply buy it on speculation. Many people in this category collect autographs. Instead of buying the signatures of people they admire, they keep track of the values of autographs and buy only those personalities whose autograph value has escalated in recent times.

They store them in a vault and routinely check values to determine when to sell. These “collectors” may end up making a profit on their investments, but how much fun are they having in the process? What happens if their Greta Garbo autograph plummets in value, and they have nothing but a signed piece of paper bearing the signature of someone in whom they have little interest? Wouldn’t it be better to buy the Garbo because you’re a fan and will always enjoy the piece regardless of its value?

My Marilyn Monroe signed check and lock of hair.

Another category that draws many speculative buyers is baseball cards. When I was a kid, and that’s not ALL that long ago, other kids bought baseball cards because they wanted to play with them. They actually built houses of cards, used them as noisemakers in the spokes of their bicycles and weren’t afraid to handle them.

Now you see these “collectors” going down to the local baseball card shop buying unopened packs and whole cases of cards. Unlike the cards of yesteryear, most of these ones will never see the light of day. Oh, some will, when a particular card in a set is deemed a winner. Then, that case will be cracked open, the packs opened and the nervous search for treasure will begin. If the card is found, the speculator is in heaven. If it isn’t, the money invested will be deemed wasted. The rest of the cards will be scanned, not for personal heroes, but for their potential worth.

Hand-painted Marilyn Monroe
prototype record box

What’s wrong with this approach? Well, unless you find the special cards, odds are you’ll be disappointed, perhaps even depressed. Some people will scorn the rest of the cards feeling that they’ve been betrayed. After all, why shouldn’t they get the one card in 10,000 that’s really worth something?

Marilyn Monroe Franklin Mint doll

Well, I have a problem with that. People used to collect things because they truly enjoyed collecting. Whether it was agate marbles, lunch pails, GI Joe, Barbie or whatever, those collectibles meant something to us. What I wouldn’t give to have my first Barbie! And, no, it wouldn’t be because she is now worth several hundred dollars, but because I actually miss her, and would love to have her back to relive the good times we shared together.

Collecting should be an outlet for people, an escape from the daily grind and pressures of life. A visit to simpler, more carefree times when the biggest decision we had to make was which dress to put on Barbie that day. That’s why I collect, and that’s the reason I feel most people should collect. For fun, first. Then, if a profit opportunity comes along, so much the better.

Antique purses are a must for any girl!

If Beanie Babies were around when I was a kid, I guarantee you I would have played with them until they were ragged! Now people rush out to McDonald’s to get the latest limited edition piece. “Stop! Don’t get McBurger sauce on it!” parents yell at their kids. Get the idea? Collecting should be fun.

I’ve collected a huge amount of things over the years. Some would be trivial to most people, but they mean a lot to me. Some of my collectibles are important to a broader market, and others have tremendous economic value. But if I were asked to choose one piece from among the collection, you might be surprised at what I’d leave behind.

I have a lot of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, including a check that Marilyn signed, a well-documented lock of her hair, and a 1954 calendar featuring the famous nude “Golden Dreams” image. Among my favorites, though, are some pieces that were produced long after Marilyn’s death and have much less economic value than the lock of hair or signed check, both of which are worth thousands.

For example, I was given the prototype, hand-painted record box shown here. To me, the value of this gift can’t be calculated. The Franklin Mint doll also was a gift, and I’d never consider giving it up. You see, the memories behind the pieces are just as important to me as the pieces themselves. One very nice reader sent me an actual proof sheet of one of Marilyn’s photo sessions with Milton Greene. No way would I give it up! I enjoy it, and deeply appreciate the generosity and kind words of the person who sent it to me.

I also have things that probably have little value to anyone else but me. I found a set of cute pinup drinking glasses in Palm Springs. I love them. They’re part of my collection, yet I doubt if anyone would beat a path to my door if I were to advertise them for sale.

My vintage 1940s swimsuit

I also love my antique purse collection. I’m very much a girl at heart, and what girl can resist a good-looking purse, especially one that elegant ladies used during the late 1940s? And my vintage bathing suit collection is so much fun! Sure, they cover up much more than my Mossimo suits, but that’s what intrigued men in the ’40s and ’50s. Imagination came into play.

So you see, I collect only what I love. I respect Abraham Lincoln, and think his letters and autographs are very important, but I don’t really relate to him. I know that Albert Einstein is very important in world history, but I find vintage Cary Grant a lot more appealing.

Make yourself feel good. Turn on the TV and get warm and fuzzy watching those old childhood shows. Then get in your car and treat yourself to a Bonanza lunch pail or a Brady Bunch board game. You’ll escape from this cold, hard world for a while, and you’ll always have something to visit during the tough times.

Until next month, keep those cards and letters coming!

Courtesy of Pop Culture Collecting Magazine

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