What do car collectors collect besides cars ?.

[Robert G. Smits]

I think one solution to security is to have a high quality system.  If you come on my property your image is going to be in the "cloud".

It won't help to disable my electric service as I have 24 hours of battery back-up coupled with cellular alerts.

[cahartley]

http://simplisafe.com/home-security-system?sku=1917&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Product+Listing+Ads&utm_content=1917&utm_term=&utm_network=s&utm_device=c&gclid=CKvrg-vro88CFZSMaQodRWwLmg

 

Best I've seen yet.

[hddennis]

4 hours ago, Steve_Mack_CT said:

I guess I am more in the Dave Henderson camp with this, as collectors, we all like to share but all I could think of is this bit below - lots of people admire nice things..  

 

 

This commercial reminds me of every time I've ever tried to get help from an insurance company or a warranty! 

Howard Dennis

[JACK M]

I don't have a picture but I have a box full of key chains, fobs and the likes.

I would guess at least a hundred or so.

They are give aways mostly and just ended up in a box in a junk drawer.

 

A collection that I had forgotten about until I get back from some show where the vendors are giving stuff away.

I seem to have a lot of ball point pens as well, lots of advertising.

 

Now that I think about it I also have a huge pile of sample packets of window cleaners, waxes, and car washes and the likes.

 

And a big pile of those cloth like bags with the printing on them for packing the junk home in.

[ayrhead]

On 19/09/2016 at 9:59 PM, Stan Kulikowski said:

Car related ... I'm starting to look for signs and advertising to decorate my shop space.

 

Non car related ... How about antique fountain pens. This is a collection of Waterman hard rubber ripple pens called the #7 series. Each nib was for a different writing style. The gimmick was 7 points ... $7. Over the years there were actually 9 colors offered. I have 8 of the 9. These are from the 20s. And yes I do write with some of them. 

 

 

 

 

Super Kewl Love the Designs

[nick8086]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/insurance/pop-quiz-will-the-insurance-company-pay-for-it-—-or-not/ar-AAiEpwv?li=BBnb7Kz

 

Will they pay  out??  Every year they add fine print..

Edited September 25, 2016 by nick8086 (see edit history)

[55chevy]

This is a cool thread, no pics on this pc but old bicycles, around 9 Schwinn Stingrays, Apple Krate, Lemon Peeler, Orange Krate,  Pea Picker, 1936 balloon tire Cadillac by Shelby, car ads from Life and other mags, cut some out of perfectly good National Geographics, license plates, or tags as they say here in the south, diecast cars and little HotWheels I liked, too bad not redline ones from 1970 when I played with them. I'm a hoarder also, car parts and cheap project cars, your garage is never big enough.

[Dave Henderson]

On 9/21/2016 at 2:35 AM, nick8086 said:

Just buy content insurance.. It it walks ... Cash in and take the wife out for a nice dinner..  

 

I sold a car part for a restaurant gift card.. I did this so I did not have any cash to buy more car parts..

There are some formidable collections out there.  If you are lucky enough to be such a collector you might think twice about broadcasting and picturing the goodies you have on this or any other publicly accessible forum, unless you have security aspects covered, what with some items such as porcelain signs valued in 4 figures (maybe more), and other "liftable" rare items that have high values that could be stolen.    The wrong person might be looking.

Monetary reimbursement is only a part of the solution if your items are taken.  What if you just don't want them gone, or what if they would be difficult to find replacements for?  That is why I advised keeping mum, not letting every schlub know all about your treasures un necessarily.   Good security measures are important too.

[dei]

I still have my 32nd scale model cars I started to build when I was about 12. Some are not the best but after Dad built me two shelf cases for display I worked harder to be better.

 

 

I think there is a kit of two around yet that isn't built......

 

Edited January 8, 2017 by dei (see edit history)

[padgett]

Every time I clean out the garage it is like Christmas, just found a five speed transmission for a car I never bought. Have trouble with clearances (lights are apparently from this millennia) and have lost track of how many HF DMMs I have (give them away to those in need). Also just one item remains of my "problem" & at 8.5 feet it make a good garage light (another area I need to clean out).

 

Guess the difference between a collector and a fanatic is the collector often does not know what is there (or is that a hoarder...)

.

[victorialynn2]

On 9/5/2016 at 11:36 AM, JACK M said:

License plates.

I have a hundred or so, probably not that valuable.

But since being associated with a dealer of collectable cars lately I have several "special interest" and 'Vintage" type plates. They are my favorites.

As a side note, my dad has 100's of plate also... I have no idea if they are valuable or I should get rid of them!

Edited January 9, 2017 by victorialynn2 (see edit history)

[Marty Roth]

Vintage trumpets - mostly from my "Big Band" days back in the 1950s and 1960s, and time with Al Hirt's Big Band into the 1980s,

Other brass musical instruments - Valve trombone, baritone horn, etc.

Glass motor oil bottles with galvanized funnel spout and cap

[victorialynn2]

I'm realizing I could start a business helping many people deal with all you'alls collections someday! 

[nick8086]

2 hours ago, victorialynn2 said:

As a side note, I dad has 100's of plate also... I have no idea if they are valuable or I should get rid of them!

The DMV let you put a plate on the car with the same year.. Price increase for them.. Not sure on your DMV in TX..

 

I have two tubs of this stuff.. to me just wall art..   ebay them..

 

 

Edited January 9, 2017 by nick8086 (see edit history)

[victorialynn2]

On 9/8/2016 at 10:49 AM, JACK M said:

 

 

That happened to me with baseball caps, I had an empty wall in the service area at my dealership.

I tacked a few ball caps up there as I liked them but they were well worn.

A few years later I boxed up several hundred hats and gave them to the Goodwill. (I will assume that they trashed them, I hope)

One guy I know cherry picked a few rare ones, I had no interest anymore.

My dad has a ton of those in his garage... I haven't had the hear to throw them out yet.

[victorialynn2]

On 9/9/2016 at 1:55 PM, Terry Bond said:

Signs - I must collect signs too because I've got some. 

You guys crack me up. So many funny statements in this thread!

[Nash34]

My grandfather collects the Silhouettes antique car calendar toppers. 

They're plastic with a paper calendar hanging below. Most are silhouette are landscape scenes with pre 1920's automobile in them.

I think he has over a hundred of them. Used to hang the best 25 above his bench in the workshop.

Edited January 9, 2017 by Nash34 (see edit history)

[JACK M]

15 hours ago, victorialynn2 said:

As a side note, my dad has 100's of plate also... I have no idea if they are valuable or I should get rid of them!

 

I am a "one big pile is better than 2 little ones" kind of guy.    This works both ways

Quote from Arlo Guthry, Alice's Restaurant.

It goes on "so rather than bring that pile of garbage up we decided to throw ours down"

 

.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Besides the usual automobilia, we started on vintage dog related bookends and door stops (So many times a lone bookend is being passed off as a door stop...) - mainly cast iron, lots of German Sheps but not exclusively them.  These are usually vintage 1940s to 1960s - wife's collection but we both like them.  Lately have been getting interested in rock music memorabilia but before I spend any real money I clearly need to get more educated about that.  I would rather have a few good items than a lot of junk. 

[Bhigdog]

For awhile I collected, restored, bought and sold electro-mechanical pinball machines. I had 12 restored and set up in the basement. I mostly collected Gottleib and Bally machines. Never cared for Williams. I had machines from the early 30's to late 60's. I had 80 at one time not counting parts machines.

I finally regained my sanity and sold all but 2. A bally 4 player named Hang Glider and a Gottleib wedge head named 4-Square...............Bob

Edited January 10, 2017 by Bhigdog (see edit history)

[nick8086]

I found a brass era stamp collections book , with mold on it.. Not sure how old I will try to post a picture..

[John_S_in_Penna]

Back to top.

It's certainly an interesting topic.

[victorialynn2]

On 9/5/2016 at 7:29 AM, RansomEli said:

Lionel Trains and Navajo Rugs. 

 

I have a Lionel train that my father had as a kid. He always put it around the Christmas tree. Not sure what to do with it as I’m sure my children won’t appreciate the sentimental value. 🥺

[auburnseeker]

I somehow ended up collecting stringed instruments but only have a few after I learned/ still learning how to play the Guitar. (one has to love some of the things you can learn from Youtube)  I only buy stuff totally different than what I have though. Latest purchase was a tricone Resonator, unfortunately not a real National but a good copy.  Hard to convince the wife that spending $3,000 on a Guitar is a good idea for someone that isn't a Musician.  I will say even an untrained ear can tell the difference between the cheap $100 Chinese Guitar a friend sold me,  that I started learning on,  and the very nice Gibson Acoustic A friend turned me on to that was donated to a church sale by a wealthy family that I purchased from them.  One strum across the strings and wow.  Night and day.  

I have a 12 sting , A Banjo , Mandolin, Of course a run of the mill Epiphone Electric, an Acoustic electric, That new Resonator,  my Mom's Broken Acoustic that came to me that way, a wall hanger hollow body arch top electric from the 50's and a couple nothing special Acoustics that I can let the kids bang around on though they show no interest.  The wife pretty much hates Music in general and never listens when I ask her to so not much of an audience to play for.  Kind of a Bummer when you enjoy playing.  I play all genres as well though tend to play oldies and Country most.

Funny thing is I often play the Cheap electric Epiphone more than anything else.  It stays in tune nice, I can really turn the amp down when I'm playing at 1AM in my office and it really plays nice.  Not bad for a Guitar I bought at a garage sale from a Neighbor for $200, which was the money I just got from selling a friend a few nothing special signs.  He was only selling a few from his collection and it was exactly what I was looking for at the time. 

I imagine I will add a few more over the years but boy they really have to speak to me.  The wife should really appreciate that, after walking by probably a couple hundred at an antique sale a few weeks ago and some that seemed like very good buys. I know alot of guys with alot of money invested in their guitars and they to are not professional musicians.  

I would still like to try a Martin some day.  I've heard they are really nice. 

[jackofalltrades70]

On 1/8/2017 at 10:56 PM, Marty Roth said:

Vintage trumpets - mostly from my "Big Band" days back in the 1950s and 1960s, and time with Al Hirt's Big Band into the 1980s,

Other brass musical instruments - Valve trombone, baritone horn, etc.

Glass motor oil bottles with galvanized funnel spout and cap

I have tubas, trombones, trumpets, bari sax, c sax.

 

Still active playing!

 

Matt

[Ivan Saxton]

Often Clutter, perhaps.       I can give you another instance of an interstate friend here,  who incidentally a specialist in Maserati.   Les told me that he as an exceptional collection of fine and notable guitars, some 400 in all.   When I was at boarding school I was afflicted by my mother's obsession that I should take music lessons, but that was something that I just could not include among my many obsessional interests.  I endured ten years of piano lessons, but I never learned to read music or play a piano.  In that, my mother was a very slow learner.          One day Les was refueling his car at a service station, and there was a youngish man fueling his Maserati.  So Les asked how he liked his "Maser".   He liked the car of course;  but could not find anyone to service it properly.   Les handed him his business card, and said he would be only too happy the service the car if he wished.   At completion of the job,  the mechanic came to Les because he had encountered a problem with one item;  so "could he please come and have a look at the reason he could not rotate the positions of the five wheels.   The key opened the boot, all right;  but it was filled with high power rapid firing armed robbery equipment.  Note was written that it was not possible to unlock the boot to rotate the positions of the wheels, and please ensure that it would be possible to access the spare tyre  the next time the car is brought in for service.   A couple of weeks later the man was found shot dead in his Maserati.

[ejboyd5]

Money.

[auburnseeker]

25 minutes ago, ejboyd5 said:

Money.

We all collect money,  but usually only for the purpose of buying the next fix, Cars, Guitars, signs, whatever you are into.  Stacks of money aren't alot of fun if you can't treat yourself with it,  for most people.  Though Scrooge seemed very happy just counting it and not using it. 

[Ronnie]

32 minutes ago, ejboyd5 said:

Money.

 

It's only paper if you don't spend it.

[Larry Schramm]

3 hours ago, victorialynn2 said:

I have a Lionel train that my father had as a kid. He always put it around the Christmas tree. Not sure what to do with it as I’m sure my children won’t appreciate the sentimental value. 🥺

 

Victoria,

 

Don't worry about the kids.  If you have grandchildren, get them down on the floor or put up a table and PLAY with them.  I collect Lionel trains and have quite a few with four different oval tracks set up.  I let my grandson PLAY with them. He is my "train buddy" and wants to play with the train almost every time he comes over to the house.  I also bought him and his brother a train for themselves to put up around their tree as a gift from grandpa.  They are really wired into some of the old technology.  If you want I can send you a picture of him on the train table selecting what cars he wants to put on the tracks.  Reliving my childhood according to my wife.  It is a great time to live!!

[Larry Schramm]

4 minutes ago, Ronnie said:

 

It's only paper if you don't spend it.

 

And according to my wife who was a bank teller many years ago, dirty paper.  I read years ago that over 1/2 of the paper currency had cocaine residue on it.  Don't know if it is still true, but an interesting tidbit of trivia.

[zepher]

I have 2 display cabinets full of Nightmare Before Christmas stuff and more put away.

I rotate the collection from time to time but I have been thinking of selling off everything.

I have some very rare and original pieces that are worth a decent amount and it's time for someone else to enjoy them.

[Restorer32]

Ex wives ?

[Paul Dobbin]

I read the whole interesting thread and can't believe nobody else ever collected BEER CANS !

40 years ago I built a new barn/shop on Florida and had plenty of wall space, and I liked beer.  Above the windows I built

shelves and started saving different brands of beer cans.  Rule was:  I only saved cans that I actually drank the beer from.

After 30 years I had hundreds and could point out the really bad brands.  (Billy Beer was not alone)  I even had a bunch of

German cans that family members smuggled in.  I restored cars in there and the cans were dust and paint magnets.

When we left Florida and moved to the Smoky Mtns,  I put alll the cans in big boxes and labled them "FREE BEER CAN

COLLECTION"  and set them at the curb.  In 10 minutes they were gone.  I hope whoever took them discoverd that many

were not aluminum.

[trimacar]

I collected beer cans back in the 1970's, when they started to become a hot collectable.  At one time I had about 3000 cans, including 350 cone tops and 500 or more flat tops.  I had a chance to buy a collection of cars in North Louisiana, knew a guy from Texas who collected cans and had lots of money, about half my collection went to him.  The other half I sold here and there.  Total proceeds,  and this was about 1976, were over $20K, and I bought quite a few cars with that.....

 

Back then it was tough to find the rare cans, but I advertised here and there.  One small collection came from a bar, only about 12 cans, but each one rarer than the next, including a Charro and a Graupner's cone top.

 

Now, I collect cars, Pierce Arrow memorabilia, and license plates.  Have a 1910-1972 complete run of Virginia plates, and numerous pre-1916 plates from all over the country.  Some rare plates are getting VERY expensive.....

[Marty Roth]

16 hours ago, jackofalltrades70 said:

I have tubas, trombones, trumpets, bari sax, c sax.

 

Still active playing!

 

Matt

 

And now our grandson, a college Senior majoring in Music Performance (Trumpet - of course!) is using several of my horns, especially the Bach which Vincent Bach personally designed for me back in 1954. His University's Wind Symphony is recently back from their invitational to perform in a series of concerts at Bunol, west of Valencia, Spain. 

[Ronnie]

Bossons character wall masks (heads).

 

 

[Walt G]

Dime novels of the 1890-1922 era with the title "Secret Service" Young and Old King Brady Detectives. ( look them up on google) , Some : Edvard VII memorabilia,  Moxie soda items, Black & White scotch whiskey items that show the Westie and Scottie dogs that was their symbol. A few ( very few) Zeppelin mementos - including an original towel out of the Graff Zeppelin that has the name of the airship embossed on it as well as an image ( got that from my good friend Austin Clark) , Sherlock Holmes stories in original copies of the Strand magazine where they were first published, some pressed tin and porcelain advertising signs , that's about it for the non automotive items. Oh yeah,  some 78rpm jazz records that I play on the 1938 Wurlitzer juke box I have and restored about 35 years ago. Fortunately my son appreciates and some what understands what I have collected, sort of, maybe, - well at least he tolerates his old Dad - sort of , maybe........😉 I have never ever bought anything for an "investment" value - always have bought stuff for the "makes me feel good" value.

[Marty Roth]

We also collect Lladro porcelains 

[JV Puleo]

Books...mostly history related. I don't know how many I have but it's in the area of 2,000 with  a heavy emphasis on the 17th & 18th century. Also books on the Imperial Russian Army, cars before WWI and Judiaca. Federal period militia arms, especially New England Rifles and British muskets as well as British officer's fuzees.

 

Here's 3 of them... a Volunteer short Land Pattern musket by William Ketland (c. 1801-1804) and officer's fuzee by David Blair (c. 1780) and an unmarked British rifle (c. 1780) along with an officer's saber, probably Irish (c. 1785–1790). The other stuff isn't mine.