Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Content
A daily look back at the toys, games, and objects that captured our attention as children and continue to fascinate us today.
Menu

Collector Spotlight

Uncover objects of play through the eyes of collectors.

Collector Spotlight: Norm Hastings

Norm Hastings collects board games. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Norm explains how his hobby inspired him to create the popular YouTube channel, Board Game Museum, and the importance of focussing on your niche.

Collector Spotlight: David Mansour

David Mansour is a Barbie collector. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, David advocates for taking the dolls out of the box and explains how a birthday gift of seven dolls grew to a collection of 2,000.

Collector Spotlight: Mark Kelehan

Mark Kelehan collects vintage lunchboxes. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Mark talks about the evolution of his collection; from starting with a single Pac-Man lunchbox to preserving the history of the production artwork and preparing to host an exhibit at The Durham Museum.

Collector Spotlight: Danii Meger

Danii Meger collects Scooby-Doo merchandise. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Danii talks about right and wrong in the world of collecting and the approach that turns “stuff” into a collection.

Collector Spotlight: RyFi Ryan

Ryan collects Nerf blasters. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Ryan talks about gimmicks in the product line and explains why collecting Nerf can feel like trying to eat an entire elephant.

Collector Spotlight: Tammy Rudolph

Tammy Rudolph collects Fisher-Price Toys. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Tammy talks about envy in the world of collecting and declines to answer which toys she wants to add to her collection.

Collector Spotlight: Cassandra Chiles

Cassandra Chiles collects vintage arcade games. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Cassandra warns of the perils of restoration over preservation and explains why it’s inadvisable to turn a hobby into a livelihood.

Collector Spotlight: Paul Bottos

Paul Bottos collects objects relating to Mickey Mouse. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Paul explains how his collection has saved his life and divulges how a plea from his son prevented him from parting with his collection. 

Collector Spotlight: Paul Knapp

Paul Knapp collects G.I. Joe action figures. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, he explains why he thinks toys are a bad investment and reveals the 2 figures his collection won’t be complete without.

Collector Spotlight: Marcus Jones

Marcus Jones collects Nickelodeon merchandise. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Marcus talks about owning an irreplaceable piece of the brand’s history and the value of connecting with other Nickelodeon fans through his popular YouTube channel, Comfort Cartoons.

Collector Spotlight: Francis Turner

Francis Turner collects toys produced by Louis Marx and Company. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Francis explains how he came to open a museum dedicated to Marx toys and details the items in his collection that were personal to Louis Marx.

Collector Spotlight: Marla Mogul

Marla Mogul is a wind-up toy collector. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, she talks about her Guinness World Record experience and reveals the Disney character she’d most like to add to her collection.

Collector Spotlight: Steve Kelley

Steve Kelley collects comic books. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, he explains how he came to trade a single comic for a Jeep Wrangler, and shares his strategy for adding new titles alongside the holy grails already in his collection.

Collector Spotlight: Roxanne Miller

Roxanne Miller is a puzzle collector. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Roxanne shares details of her extraordinary collection and talks about her invitation-only puzzle museum and research facility.

Collector Spotlight: MOTU Joe

Joe Teague collects merchandise from the Masters of the Universe franchise. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Joe puts out a call to other collectors for information about a specific item and sheds light on the fine line between passion and obsession when collecting.

Collector Spotlight: Sherry Groom

Sherry Groom holds the Guinness World Record for her troll doll collection. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Sherry explains how her childhood collection of trolls became the foundation of her own museum.

Collector Spotlight: Chris Lee

Chris Lee collects LEGO sets and minifigures. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Chris talks about the educational value of LEGO and the one line of exclusives he isn’t ready to pursue.

Collector Spotlight: Chaz George

Chaz George collects Batman comics, toys, and memorabilia. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Chaz explains his obsession with Batman and shares details of his expansive collection, including the one item that had been forgotten in an attic for forty years.