Collecting? What was the first things?

[suckolux]

Just curious, when was it people started to notice/ mention you were collecting anything in pecitular? I was little, 3? and in love with electrical things, started to collect different colored extension cords, first from the grocery store, yes AGES ago.Some even gave me different ones for my birthday. I remember finding a pink one at the grocery a few blocks from my house now.I think around 60? Yes I still have plenty, just have to have the right one/ size for every occasion. Yes there is some mention, but never seems to crab at me when they need one!

 

[jfalberti]

For me

it was record players. I still have a few, and I always look at them on eBay.

 

[suckolux]

I had a lot of those too, but wore them out

 

[s31463221]

I started out with.....

Lightbulbs! First things I ever started collecting was Christmas Lightbulbs. I couldnt have been much over four or five. Like you, I had a love for electrical items, which is strong today. I still have a VERY large collection of Christmas lights and bulbs today! I also love using the Edison reproduction bulbs in my lamps!

 

[suckolux]

That could be fun!

 

[pr-21]

I collect Red Ruby glass dishes, saucers, cups etc, along with Red Ruby vases and candy dishes.


 


 


PR-21

 

[luxman107]

That is awesome Steve. That's what I started with when I was 8 or nine besides baseball cards. From there it was anything electronic than small antique appliances including Vacs

 

[human]

I don't recall ever setting out to collect a particular thing. I just find that I will become obsessed over something and start accumulating examples. One of the earliest was pens. I've always liked fine writing instruments ever since I was a kid and I still do. It's kind of ironic, considering how horrendously bad my handwriting is. The latest ones I've become obsessed with are hand turned wooden pens, especially big, fat ones called cigar pens. They look really cool and feel good in the hand. Even though they're all basically made from two or three different kits, the natural wood means each one is unique and no two are exactly alike.

 

[kenkart]

Vacuums

Were always my first obsession.

 

[tolivac]

I think the very first thing I collected--was Seashells-Would gather them from the beach at Cape Cod when I was a little child.Wonder if those bags of shells I found are still in the house my grandmother lived in.Then was gun media and cartridges,then onto electronic stuff,vacuums,lighting equipment and some movie stuff-moives and memorabilia.Sort of would like those shells if they are still around.Some I did gather live--remember old days and worked to extract the animal.Nowadys when I collect-its empty shells.

 

[dandagreer]

Obsessed

Edgar: it's interesting you said you find you become obsessed with one particular thing and start accumulating examples. I can totally relate to that! Never quite heard it put that way, but my obsessions tend to come in waves. I will obsess over something for a while then in wanes and I semi lose interest or it starts to sideline. I often do that with vacuums, but I always come back to that. It's been an on/off obsession for me since I was 3 yrs old.

 

[human]

You're absolutely right about it coming in waves. I've been on a vacuum cleaner wave for the past six months or so, ever since I happened upon a Royal 501 hand vac at a thrift store back in late January. This touched off a wave of acquisitions and repairs, sandwiched interestingly enough, with the acquisition of a second 501 on eBay about a month ago. At that point, I felt like I had come full circle and realized I'd done enough--and spent enough--that I'm ready to just enjoy what I've got. It's funny how that happens but it's good to know that about myself.

 

[ronni]

When I was in my teens I collected 16mm projectors (e.g. Kodak Pageant, RCA 1600, RCA Viewlex, Kalart, Ampro) from school auctions and along with them wall-mounted 70" x 70" projection screens (Da-Lite, Radiant, & Draper).

I lost interest when our county library no longer kept 16mm films in its circulation. Now I only have one projector and a couple projection screens.

My interest stemmed from the novelty of the items, their appearance, and how they operated; as well as being a connection to my school days.

 

[tolivac]

Yes,I have a small collection of 16 MM projectors and screens.also have MANY of those pull down maps that used to be on the "map rail" in the front of the classroom along with the screens.Often they were mounted on the map rails.Sadly many of these sort of things are badly worn or dirty from rough school use!Sometimes the screen can be cleaned.Sometimes not.Seems like Ampro projectors were high end professional commercial units-didn't see many of them in schools.Usually Beel&Howell and Kodaks in schools.Would love to collect cinema 35 MM projectors-but they are large and heavy-and often require three ph power to run.-esp the lamps.

 

[vacuumdude]

A shop vac

Five galon from walmart I was 4 or 5

 

[redneck]

Vacuums were really the first thing I developed an obsession for.
Nowadays, I've slowed down on the vacuum collecting (But finding this forum again after my old account was deactivated for inactivity) after a couple years probably is gonna bring me back up to speed. Lately I've been collecting old tobacco items (Advertisements, spittoons, ashtrays, etc) and, lol, a lot of junk car parts along with the vacuum cleaners.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Well, the vacuums ar ethe 'big thing'

I also like to collect historical items about my little city of Pittston. I finally got a Pittston stove... a coal stove made at the foundry down the street from me, now a clothintg outlet. THey were made here and sold all over the country. I first saw one in Macy's in New York City... in a tribute to the kitchen display. I was amazed to see it there, made 4 buildings from my home. I KNEW I must get one.
I've also acquired a lot of Pickard china, as well as Lenox china...3 patterns, total: service for about 30. Perhaps I'll post some pics of these collected treasures.

 

[singerman]

my fisrt was...

Fire alarm items and still collect today.

 

[suckolux]

Interesting!