Handling Collectibles Carefully, Very Carefully

I've been going through some of the things I collect. (Maybe you've already read about one of my collections, classic dog food labels.)

I am someone who takes my collecting very seriously. And that's what I recommend for any others who may have something valuable or nice. Take it seriously, and take good care of your items.

Some things we collect -- I'm sure you're the same way -- we collect just out of love for the thing. And some things we collect because it's an investment. We're looking ahead to that time when we'll be able to sell everything, piece by piece or in one unbroken lot.

As for myself, I have a hard time parting with anything, even though I know there's some monetary value now that perhaps won't be there in five years. I just like the way my collectibles would look on display. I say "would look" because most of my things I would never display, out of fear that someone will see them and steal them when I'm away from home.

My most valuable things I keep in the bank. Other things, I keep in file cabinets, all very low key looking so no one will think they have anything worth stealing in them. As long as I don't tell anyone about my collectibles and as long as they're always hidden away in the cabinets, as far as anyone else knows, these things don't exist.

Like other collectors -- and this I highly recommend as well -- I keep whatever it is in mylar bags with acid free backing boards, the whole nine yards. The more you keep your collectibles sealed up, hidden away, and kept from light and air, the longer you will have to enjoy them. Plus, after your death, when your relatives are going through your things, even if they're not specialists in a given field, they will recognize that these things are valuable and, hopefully, will continue to preserve the whole works.

I like collecting. And you can too.