My
Star Wars collection has definitely evolved over the years. From the early
stages, to multiple shifts in collection focus, the only static variable has
been growth. However, I've discovered that my most recent decision regarding my
collection focus has led to a rekindled passion and enjoyment, and the largest
sense of satisfaction I've felt with collecting in a very long time. This is by
no means a "collecting gospel" geared towards applying to other
collectors. This is solely my personal experience.
The
childhood years of collecting were essentially about acquiring anything Star
Wars related that I could. During high school, college, and my early twenties,
life was focused elsewhere and I did little more than add a few new pieces a
year. I then started hardcore collecting in my mid-to-late twenties. At that
time I still grabbed as much as I could get my hands on, but I focused heavily
on Hasbro 3-3/4", lightsabers and blasters, and EU novels and books. This
lasted for some years before I developed a 3-Tier system. Somewhat
self-explanatory, the 3-Tier system broke down what I was hunting into three
prioritized categories. There were then hunt lists and specifications for each category
in each tier.
The
issue with the 3-Tier system was that, even though I only acquired items from
the three tiers, I often failed to stick to the prioritized part. I'd often buy
pieces based on opportunity, or for the sad sake of not having to purchase later
for inflated resale prices if I missed out on retail. Thus I would often get
pieces I wanted, but in lieu of pieces I wanted more. So from there I moved to
a "Top 100" list. This was simply a list of the hundred pieces I most
wanted to add to my collection. While the list only contained a hundred items,
it was divided up by category. This system was extremely short lived as the
system itself was flawed. New licensed pieces are released all the time, and
new non-licensed pieces are discovered all the time. Therefore the list had to
be updated and rearranged almost daily. The list also did not take into
account the items needed for my Prides of Nexu Museum (aka my Star Wars room),
such as; display furniture, display accessories, framing for artwork, etc. nor
my list of customs and commissions. It simply was not a viable way to hunt.
The
“Top 100” list was quickly replaced with the 4-List system. There was a list
for the Ahsoka hunt, which would be added to and subtracted from frequently. The
second list consisted of the items remaining from the “Top 100” list after the
Ahsoka category had been removed. The third list was for the Prides of Nexu
museum display, and the final list was for pieces I would either have custom
made or commissioned. At the time, this system felt good and like it might
actually hold. However, during the Covid-19 quarantine/stay-at-home I went to
pre-order The Black Series 6” TFU Stormtrooper Commander, TFU Shadow
Stormtrooper, and the Commander Bly. GameStop’s website and online pre-order
system was acting up, as it always seems to do for me. I realized that with
what I was planning to spend on those three figures, coupled with what I saved
by having two toy swap meets cancelled due to the Coronavirus, I could hunt
down a more expensive Ahsoka piece that I really want. So I did just that. I
found a sealed Hasbro Ahsoka’s Jedi Starfighter vehicle and treated myself. It
was a piece I missed at retail in 2009 that had sat on my hunt lists
(regardless of which system), for the past eleven years. It was extremely satisfying.
Ahsoka
had been the main focal point of my collection since late 2008, but after
purchasing and receiving the Jedi Starfighter I made the decision to solely
focus on Ahsoka collecting moving forward. No more hunt systems. I still need
display furniture, display accessories, and framing for the collection room,
but I need those items regardless in order to finally display my collection in
full. Ninety five percent of the custom and commission items were Ahsoka
related anyway, so I just dumped what wasn’t. And lastly I shrunk what was
remaining of the “Top 100” list down to just the pieces I really want to
complete certain collections. It’s not a long list. However, combing that list,
items my brother will be grabbing for me at Galaxy’s Edge, and the inevitable
freebees and gifts that always seem to drop in my lap, it’s not like I’ll never
add non-Ahsoka pieces to the collection in the future. But as far as what I’m
hunting and purchasing on a weekly/monthly basis, it’s going to be strictly
Ahsoka. And even though it’s only been a few weeks since the decision was made,
I’ve already seen a difference in my perspective regarding collecting. Despite
the size and variety of my collection, only collecting one character gives me a
greater sense of accomplishment. It’s like I’m actually working towards a goal
as opposed to endlessly purchasing Star Wars items. I’m definitely proud of my
collection as a whole, but with the Ahsoka collection that pride is somehow
magnified a bit. The hunt is a little more fulfilling. As with the Jedi
Starfighter example, pieces I’ve desperately wanted for years will now become a
higher priority. Focusing strictly on collecting Ahsoka will allow me to get
the most out of my collecting experience. Granted it helps that a lot of my
other sub-collections have already been completed, or are just a few short pieces
away from being so. Bottom line, it feels good, and brings me joy. So I’m down
with it!
All
of this [of course] is solely predicated on having, and continuing to have, a
modest monthly/annual collecting budget. Should my finances ever drastically
change, i.e. winning the PowerBall, then all of this goes right out of the
window. Yes, Ahsoka could still be the main focus in the collection, but at
that point I’d be buying up everything else as well. Thus, I still continue to
keep my non-Ahsoka want lists up to date, but that’s more for fun than anything
else. I’m obviously not banking on having that drastic of a financial change. Haha!
good insight
ReplyDelete