Chick tracts and colophons.
I collect sand. From exotic beaches all over the world. However, I’m not a traveling person, so I have people bring it back for me. I just like the colors and textures of sand.
I had a bit of a tooth collection going for a while, but my friend asked for his back, so now I only have my son’s.
I collect snake-related stuff, primarily figurines, but they have to be realistic. I do have a couple of cartoony stuffed snakes that I’ve gotten as gifts. My favorites are the two snake paperweights–a coral snake and a rattle snake mounted inside paperweights. The cobra skin on my bathroom wall has the biggest shock value.
Gymnastics magazines/videos/memorabilia. I am NOT a leotard collector, though–I think that’s kinda gross.
I also have quite an assortment of pop-up books, especially the ones engineered by Robert Sabuda and Nick Carter.
Flattened pennies – the ones from the machines where you put in 2 quarters and a penny and it flattens your penny as well as embossing a chosen design on it.
It’s also a cheap souvenir that travelling friends can bring me.
My parents got me a pez dispenser every year for xmas while I was growing up. Now I get them for my kids. I don’t think you’re actually supposed to eat the contents, though.
I collect Boy George paraphenalia. That can’t be spelled right.
I collect all things monopoly … not just the games but everything I can find. I have games, cars, glasses, houses, magnets, tins, sheets, clothing, jewelery, ornaments… I’m really excited too because I just discovered that I can do my whole bathroom monopoly as they sell monopoly towels, shower curtains, soap dispensers …
much of my collection is at Kathy's Monopoly Obsession but that doesnt include the stuff I got for Christmas! My SIL found me a 5 foot tall Rich Uncle Pennybags for my wall Everyone thinks I’m a bit odd but then again… I am
Tanookie
I have a collection of the little dessicant capsules from medicine bottles. When I was a child, I thought they were cute. I’m an adult now, but I still have them. I can’t bring myself to throw them away.
I also have a collection of the wrappers from the Endangered Species candy bars. It took me months to collect all of the animal designs.
I also have various collections that are not weird.
I have a pretty sizable collection of oddities…stuff I’ve picked up here and there, and always good for conversation purposes. I’ve slacked off in recent years due to my short attention span, but what I’ve got is pretty interesting:
Charles Manson’s Autograph: acquired as a result of e-mailing his webmaster with some questions…I was curious as to why they think people would be interested in the ravings of a convicted madman. I received a letter from Manson himself, which stated among other things that James Brown had stolen his fortune, the government had stolen a book he had written about Watergate, and that “the dead masters hold all the keys to music”.
**Chinese Boxer Rebellion Execution Sword: ** actual sword used by the Boxers during their rebellion to decaptiate unsympathetic citizens. Picked it up for 200 bucks at a maritime museum auction.
**Van Gogh’s Tombstone Rubbing:**charcoal rubbing made off the great painter’s tombstone.
**Billy Beer: **can of beer bearing the endorsement of Billy Carter, brother of ex-President Jimmy Carter.
**Nazi Germany Regiment Flag: **actual Nazi Swaztika flag from World War 2 that was taken as a souvenir by a U.S. force after a battle and signed by 35 U.S. solders. I purchased this from a private museum that was going out of business for 100 bucks.
**Shot Glasses: ** for about 3 years I embarked on collecting shot glasses from anywhere and everywhere. After realizing that this was a hobby that was a bottomless money pit, I gave it up, but before I did, I managed to collect about 300 shot glasses from various U.S. bars and restaurants, as well as more than a few European and Canadian ones, and had friends and acquaintances pick me up some when they traveled to more esoteric spots (Tel Aviv, Moscow, Brazzaville, Auckland, New Dehli).
Razor blades. I intend on creating a new world record by the time I’m 40!!
I have the flags of all the nations of the world. They are small paper flags on bamboo sticks. I carry them around with me, in fact, most of the time. I mean all of them. St. Kitt’s and Nevis, Pualu, The Maldives, all of them.
I might be missing one or two if I gave that one away that day, but I will replace it the same day.
Tris
“It is unbecoming for young men to utter maxims.” ~ Aristotle ~