People have been actively saving things for thousands of years, with it becoming the most popular around the 1800s. Furthermore, a collection of things can be nearly anything; some people collect figurines and newspapers, while others might collect something a bit more unusual, like postcards or even matchbooks.
While many people collect similar items, every collection is as unique as the collector, and they all have their own stories to tell. If you ask the person why they collect, they'll usually give you a very personal answer connected to their past. Or, the reason may be quite simple; they might like the way it looked and decided to make a hobby out of it.
Whatever the reason, there are psychological reasons why people are attracted to particular objects and continue to collect them. Nearly everyone collects something, but why? In this article, a world-renowned license plate collector Michael Wiener from Albuquerque New Mexico answers this question and talks about the most common items that people collect.
Why People Collect in General
The main reason why people save things is because of an emotional connection. Simply, they want to connect themselves to their childhood, a feeling, a time, or other sentimental reasons.
Cars
Many people collect cars, both old and new.
People take pride in having a valuable car, especially if they put a lot of work into it. Some people collect vintage cars that look like they're hot off the production line and run perfectly because they are much rarer. Other people prefer to buy a new sports car they can show off to others.
However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so is value. Some people might enjoy collecting a specific brand, even if it's not very impressive or valuable.
Newspapers
Some people like to hold on to the past, which is why they might collect newspapers.
A common item to collect is a newspaper from the day an important event occurred, such as a wedding, birth, or anniversary. It's a way to remind them of that momentous day.
Toys
Many toys have value, but that's not the motive for most toy collectors. For them, it's more likely to be a way to relive their childhood.
To them, their collection is comforting. They might have had that specific toy in the past, which is why they seek to collect them now. It reminds them of happier times.
Still, some people collect toys because of their investment value—certain toys like rare Beanie Babies, American Girl Dolls, and G.I. Joe toys are worth upwards of thousands of dollars.
Artifacts and Antiques
As mentioned above, collecting is mostly about connecting. For some people, collecting historical artifacts and antiques is a way to connect to the past.
These artifacts can be anything from clothing to coins, art, and cameras. To some people, these items are a key to the past.
About Michael Wiener:
Michael C. Wiener of Albuquerque New Mexico is a world-renowned license plate collector, researcher, and consultant. He is considered to be America's leading authority regarding automobile license plates and motor vehicle licensing systems. By the time he was 23, he had visited all 50 states and has now explored over 100 countries across the globe. Mr. Wiener was elected as an Albuquerque City Councilor, a New Mexico State Senator, and a Bernalillo County Commissioner. He was elected twice as International President of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA), and has been featured on HGTV's Offbeat America," CNBC News with Brian Williams, and appeared in an episode of AMC's Breaking Bad and was featured in New Mexico Magazine. Michael Wiener serves as a consultant for motor vehicle departments, law enforcement agencies, and television and motion picture producers on subjects related to motor vehicles and automobile plate history. He has been nominated twice, by his peers, to the ALPCA Hall of Fame and was given the "Outstanding Leadership" Award by the Mid Region Council of Governments in 2013.
Author, Freelance writer