How much of your collection is on display?

[Vector Prime]

It never ceases to amaze me that some of you guys have dedicated collection rooms.

At any given stage, I only have approximately 50% of my collection out on display.

The other 50% lives in storage boxes in cupboards, etc.

So, my question is, approximately how much of your collection is displayed?

[Sky Shadow]

So, my question is, approximately how much of your collection is displayed?

None. Actually, technically one toy - I think DOTM M******* is 'out' as in he's sitting on a box in my room, so I have... like... 0.15% of my collection 'on display'.

[Hursticon]

For me, I'd say close to 100% but not all as I purely just don't have the shelf space to display everything. :p
(That and 1 thing in particular isn't quite able to be displayed... yet ;))

[Vector Prime]

None. Actually, technically one toy - I think DOTM M******* is 'out' as in he's sitting on a box in my room, so I have... like... 0.15% of my collection 'on display'.

Why such a small amount SS? Renovating? Moving houses? :confused:

[1AZRAEL1]

Mine would be close to 100% if I can find the time to finish setting them up. And I've noticed I'm gonna have to dust them again because it has taken me so long to do up to what I have done that dust is becoming more visible again :mad: :p

[Deceptic_Optic]

mine is 80%...had to pack away my collection due to temporary vistors at home using my collection room :( sux but it a must.

[SkyWarp91]

<1%, and not in a display cabinet, just sitting at random locations in my bedroom on top of shelves/dvd player - I got Animated Shadow Blade Megatron, Animated Deluxe Blurr, RTS Bumblebee and G1 Outback

[UltraMarginal]

depends what you define as on display, and where it's on display.

I have my original collection in Victoria, at my parents house. it was all on display but it's been picking a lot of dust up and over the years some has started to yellow etc. So over the last few visits I've started taking it down, cleaning it and putting it away from dust, which is on a shelf but it's in a wardrobe so you cn't see it unless the doors are open and the plastic bags lifted off. there is about 30-40 % of that part of my collection still out in the room.

In Sydny, I would suggest that I have closer to 80-90% on display, partially because of space, and partially as I'm using some larger items as carrots to get through some study that I'm doing on the side. And still have a few things left over from various BBTS shipments that I am yet to unseal.

I actually need to audit my sydney collection as I currently have no idea how many I have. :o

[Sky Shadow]

Why such a small amount SS? Renovating? Moving houses? :confused:

A combination of factors, VP - our housing situation has been in flux this year so we've moved from place to place half a dozen times. We're currently in a studio, so (despite the fact that Mrs Shadow seems to 'display' her clothes and costumes all over the room) there's not much space or call for a Transformer display. Still, even when I do have my own space (like my previous study) I've never kept more than a small fraction of Transformers out - mostly it's just the ones I've been fiddling with and haven't bothered to put away yet. The highest percentage I've ever had on display since 1985 would have been around 1999 when I had my own room in a share house at uni and all my Beast Wars toys out at once, but even then I had all my G1 toys stored away. I don't really 'get' displaying toys - I don't quite understand why people do it, particularly since it would mean that random visitors to the house might think I'm some sort of strange deviant or - possibly worse - have kids of their own and think it's all right to give them... say... e-Hobby Orion Pax to play with.

[Verno]

I'd say about 5-10%

I've got the Hard Hero Rhinox Statue, X-9 Ravage, Takara 10th Anniversary Beast Wars Show 'bots and Transmutate. Thats it.

I don't need to have all of them on display. Plus there is no point displaying sealed stuff.

[Mechbiter]

I'd say I've probably only got between 25% and 30% of my collection on display.

The main reason it is that low is I'm primarily a MISB/MOSC collector and I only display opened doubles of figures I've really liked. As a result much of my collection is in storage. Although resently I've been opening things I normally wouldn't.

[Sky Shadow]

A tangential question that I'm wondering about as a result of this thread: http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=237344

[Vector Prime]

@SS - fair enough mate... thought that may have been the case.

[gdmetro]

At the moment? Probably about 50-60% of my collection. That number is dwindling the more I purchase though...

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Bugger all. Even when I'm 'home' (such as it is) in Tassie I usually only have a few pieces out, with BW TM2 Megs as the only constant. The eventual plan is to get a dedicated display cabinet or two, but that's a long way off in terms of money and time.

[LordCyrusOmega]

I only have about a quarter of my collection out at the moment. Had to share the space available with others. I use to have them all on display though. Now it's just Animate (all), Classicsverse (all incl Rts,Generations, Classics, HFTD, Universe 2.0), The movie 2007/RotF (cast only) all Alternators and Masterpiece (Bar 1) and some of my favourite BW pieces.
When I get around to rearranging the spare room I'll get more out.

[jaydisc]

I'm in between homes and all I have on display is one Detolf's worth (thin, Ikea, glass cabinet). It's 8% of my collection.

[Sleeve]

I'm in between homes and all I have on display is one Detolf's worth (thin, Ikea, glass cabinet). It's 8% of my collection.

It's a damn fine looking Detolf however. :)

Right now I have one figure out, that being PCC Heavytread and only because I removed his limb connectors yesterday. The reason there's nothing on display is because I havent found the time to get anything out since moving to Brisbane. Usually I have all my Classicsverse and a lone Detolf of my most prized figures out, so usually it's about 15-20% of my collection. I used to have out about 80% out, but the ridiculous amount of moisture, salt air (lived 100m from the beach in Mooloolaba) and unusually high levels of dust all mixed to make a thick black grime on everything, so I had to put most in storage.

[Mr Ed]

100% of my stuff are in my display cabinets

With my Diamond Select and Palisades statues, I dont take them out and play with them of course! Guests and friends admire them through the glass. They dont touch of course!;)

[Sleeve]

100% of my stuff are in my display cabinets

With my Diamond Select and Palisades statues, I dont take them out and play with them of course! Guests and friends admire them through the glass. They dont touch of course!;)

As I recall you have some pretty heavy-duty cabinets too. Those things inspire envy.

[liegeprime]

Ive recently rearranged my collection room and packed in 94 liter roller boxes the TFs I'm not so fond of, but still can't bring myself to get rid of. Namely the Unicron trilogy series, Universe 1.0 series, RH, random series Tfs- Im not crazy about like say G1 stuff, but these were selected figures (not the entire line hehehe). The collection on display now looks a bit... focused fro lack of a better word. I really need a bigger room for them all to be displayed properly, also some nicer glass cabinets wouldhelp.:o:o So Id say around 75% on display.

addit: oh and all of the Bayverse TFs are in storage as well, except for a few Ive incorporated in the classicverse l shelf like Bludgeon.

[kup]

I would say about 100% of toys which I consider to be part of my collection.

However if I count some of the spares, 'universally countable' junkers and others it would be more in the realm of 98-99.9%

[Sharky]

i only have 1 toy on display currently, every thing else is in storage

Hasbro Masterpiece Starscream

i guess i also have my hard hero and diamond select statues in the cabinets, but then i never really consider them part of the over all transformers collection

in about 8 weeks however i will have my very own transformer display room and i hope to get them all out....eventually.

[optimus1]

I probably have about 1/3 on display.

My favourite loose G1s are safely in a glass/timber cabinet for display.
Other G1s are on an open shelf, but need dusting every so often.
My boxed collection is scattered throughout my room.

The modern Classicsverse figures are mostly in storage except a loose lot of the ones I like to fiddle with that are in the lounge room.

I still need to rearrange my room and take photos. I've been on OTCA a few years now and still havn't shown my collection :o:o:o

[Skullcruncher]

0-25% so sad :( Two glass cabnites and an AFA shelf which gets rotated every so often. The rest live in boxes, containers, under the bed well anywhere that I can find!

[Mr Ed]

As I recall you have some pretty heavy-duty cabinets too. Those things inspire envy.

Yeah heavy duty.

Not much change out of $1600 for each one :eek:

[gdmetro]

For those of you who display but a tiny fraction/ or none at all i.e. A handful, but have a tonne in storage, is this a preference or just based on restriction?
That is, if you had enough space would you choose to display them properly or keep them storaged up in boxes?

[GoktimusPrime]

Something like 99.9% of my collection is on display - so I just rounded it off to 100% :p


I don't really 'get' displaying toys - I don't quite understand why people do it,
I personally don't get why people spend bucket loads of money on toys just to keep them in storage.

The reason why I display my collection is to make them quick and easy to access for play. Say for example I want to assemble a team of Autobots comprised of say G1 Warpath, G2 Manta Ray, Machine Wars Hubcap, Car Robot Super Red Alert, Armada Silverbolt and Drift verses and Decepticon team comprised of say G1 Buzzsaw, G2 Hooligan, RiD Sky Byte, Micron Legend Shockwave, Darth Vader/TIE Advanced and ROTF Bludgeon; if I had most of these toys in storage (most likely in separate boxes according to series and/or faction) it would take be ages to unpack and find these toys before I'm reading to lie down and start playing! :eek:

Finding spare time to play with my toys alone is hard enough... I don't wanna waste it by having to look for and unpack them. Then after I'm finished, I would have to repack them again (and probably in alt mode too). (-_-)


particularly since it would mean that random visitors to the house might think I'm some sort of strange deviant or - possibly worse - have kids of their own and think it's all right to give them... say... e-Hobby Orion Pax to play with.
All my friends are cool with my collection. Then again, most of my friends are nerds. ;) My wife's friends aren't nerds though, but they don't particularly complain about it -- most of them think it's cool. And I've never had a problem with other parents giving any of my toys to their kids to play with. Who would do that?? (o_O) Especially they see the toys in a collection room; everyone knows it's a collection and not a random assortment of toys in a toy box.

And besides, because I own gun Transformers, my Transformer room is always locked when I'm not home anyway. So nobody's ever in there without me. My wife has a copy of the key to the room, but she only unlocks it to either put in freshly cleaned TF clothes from the laundry or if I've left a Transformer toy or comic book outside the room -- she'll unlock it, put it inside, then lock it up again.

Not even my own kid is allowed in there without my permission, let alone someone else's!

[UltraMarginal]

Not even my own kid is allowed in there without my permission, let alone someone else's!

That's like having a all you can eat spit roast and BBQ or an open air butcher, next to a lion cage!!

honestly though when I am eventually blessed with a child or two, they will also not be allowed to touch daddy's collection.

[optimus1]

I personally don't get why people spend bucket loads of money on toys just to keep them in storage.



My reason and also I think for many others is limited space.

[Golden Phoenix]

Pretty much all of it, as you can see (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=10864).

Getting to the point where I will have to pick and choose things to store soon.

[5FDP]

My reason and also I think for many others is limited space.

Yeah but you would also be saving on space if they were on display. Mine are in cabinets 100 centimetres wide and 196 centimetres tall which means they would take up the same amount of space in a cupboard out of sight. The only difference is that I can see them behind glass which is better than not seeing them at all.

My cabinets cost about $700 each (they're both pine) but you don't have to buy something that expensive. There are some good alternatives available.

[optimus1]

Yeah but you would also be saving on space if they were on display. Mine are in cabinets 100 centimetres wide and 196 centimetres tall which means they would take up the same amount of space in a cupboard out of sight. The only difference is that I can see them behind glass which is better than not seeing them at all.


Yeah you are right, cabinet displays do save space and a collection behind glass is better than in a box :)

I'm always on the lookout for more glass/timber cabinet displays. However my dilemma is to display either:
- transformers (1st preference)
- books (I have a LOT of these)
- historic artifacts/travel souvenirs (a potential new collection)

[UltraMarginal]

I'm always on the lookout for more glass/timber cabinet displays. However my dilemma is to display either:
- transformers (1st preference)
- books (I have a LOT of these)
- historic artifacts/travel souvenirs (a potential new collection)

That is definitely a dilemma. I use shelves that would otherwise not really be suitable for my Transformer display desires for books and other trinkets.

[Hursticon]

I'm always on the lookout for more glass/timber cabinet displays. However my dilemma is to display either:
- transformers (1st preference)
- books (I have a LOT of these)
- historic artifacts/travel souvenirs (a potential new collection)


That is definitely a dilemma. I use shelves that would otherwise not really be suitable for my Transformer display desires for books and other trinkets.

LOL, you see, where as I use whatever flat surface I can find. :p

[Golden Phoenix]

Yeah but you would also be saving on space if they were on display. Mine are in cabinets 100 centimetres wide and 196 centimetres tall which means they would take up the same amount of space in a cupboard out of sight. The only difference is that I can see them behind glass which is better than not seeing them at all.

My cabinets cost about $700 each (they're both pine) but you don't have to buy something that expensive. There are some good alternatives available.

But then you have to have space for the cabinets in an area where they are viewable.

With tubs or boxes you can put them where ever, and split up them too.

[janda the red]

i've only got a couple of figures on display in the lounge... :(

i've got a toy collection/music room that isn't fully set up yet after moving house.

i have grand plans to put everything behind glass....but it hasn't happened yet!

janda :)

[5FDP]

But then you have to have space for the cabinets in an area where they are viewable.

With tubs or boxes you can put them where ever, and split up them too.

Either way they're going to take up space somewhere so it's all relative.

[Golden Phoenix]

Either way they're going to take up space somewhere so it's all relative.

Yeah, I guess it comes down to where abouts you have space that determines it.

[AussieJason]

Sadly, not even 2%.

I just don't have the space unfortunately... my collection is mainly G1, and have a LOT of it. Most of the G1 figures, some MIB and MISB etc...

But I have a huge amount of G1 stuff like place mats, plates, cups, Optimus Prime Cookie Jar, NES and C64 Video Games, books, comics (including #1 of both UK and USA issues), car race set, S.T.A.R.S set, Optimus Prime AM Radio, pencil cases, VHS tapes, bed sheet set, sleeping bag, posters (including a massive 1986 promo movie poster - I can't remember the dimensions but its huge), original Pepsi Prime, Fort Max box, board games, jigsaw puzzles, audio tapes, and who knows what else.

On top of that I have modest but still sizeable collection of other TF's such as Animated, Masterpiece, E-Hobby etc...

I'm waiting for the day I can move to a larger place to display all of this. I will probably be shocked by how much I actually have :D

[liegeprime]

Most likely you'll need a whole room for it AJ.... and then some more :D , INvest on Glass cabinets they make an awesome collection look even more so than DIY ones, Sadly I didnt think of that vefore I went apeshit on buying shelvings when I got my place coz I was excited to finally fullfill my goal of finally haing a display/toy room.

[GoktimusPrime]

Sadly, not even 2%.

I just don't have the space unfortunately... my collection is mainly G1, and have a LOT of it. Most of the G1 figures, some MIB and MISB etc...
My G1* collection is 86% (379/440**) complete and I only have 1 (arguably 3***) figures in storage. Mind you, most of my G1s are loose (just the way I like it!).


But I have a huge amount of G1 stuff like place mats, plates, cups, Optimus Prime Cookie Jar, NES and C64 Video Games, books, comics (including #1 of both UK and USA issues), car race set, S.T.A.R.S set, Optimus Prime AM Radio, pencil cases, VHS tapes, bed sheet set, sleeping bag, posters (including a massive 1986 promo movie poster - I can't remember the dimensions but its huge), original Pepsi Prime, Fort Max box, board games, jigsaw puzzles, audio tapes, and who knows what else.
Comics, books, tapes etc. take up relatively much less space than toys and are easier to shelve. I place my comics in cardboard magazine holders then place the holders on shelves. Board games can take up some space after a while though... basically anything with boxes takes up space, so I try to keep as few boxes as possible (although with board games ya kinda hafta).


Most likely you'll need a whole room for it AJ.... and then some more :D , INvest on Glass cabinets they make an awesome collection look even more so than DIY ones, Sadly I didnt think of that vefore I went apeshit on buying shelvings when I got my place coz I was excited to finally fullfill my goal of finally haing a display/toy room.
For me, the thing I don't like about glass cabinets is that it makes it bit of a hassle when you want to randomly grab an assortment of figures out to play with then put them back.

I like how your collection room has nice wooden book cases and not those cheap and nasty metal tool shelves that I have. I'd like to replace them all with wooden book cases eventually... don't think I'd go glass go... I don't even like having my Megatrons in a glass display unit (I wouldn't do it if it weren't a legal requirement in NSW).

[5FDP]

For me, the thing I don't like about glass cabinets is that it makes it bit of a hassle when you want to randomly grab an assortment of figures out to play with then put them back.


Surprisingly I don't seem to have this problem ;) :p

[Vector Prime]

Surprisingly I don't seem to have this problem ;) :p

I don't think many people do... only Gok :p

[GoktimusPrime]

So for those of you who don't even display your toys; what do you get out of collecting them? Where does one draw the line between being a collector and being a hoarder? Because apparently compulsive hoarding (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding) is defined as "the excessive acquisition of possessions and failure to use or discard them."

[SkyWarp91]

So for those of you who don't even display your toys; what do you get out of collecting them? Where does one draw the line between being a collector and being a hoarder? Because apparently compulsive hoarding (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding) is defined as "the excessive acquisition of possessions and failure to use or discard them."

I play with them, I would like to display them but my residence has frequent family visitors, (young too! :rolleyes:) and there's no room to display them on my shelves and thus most are in storage - but that doesn't stop me from going to the storage boxes frequently to get them out, play with them - then put them back in their boxes. It's just a neat/obsessive compulsive thing to do really.

[GoktimusPrime]

Allow me to clarify, what I mean is people who don't display nor play with their toys. i.e. all they do is purchase toys and keep them in storage and thus "fail to use them."

If you play with your toys, then you are using them for sure. If you display your toys... well, I guess that's a kind of usage (as much as displaying a piece of art is I suppose). But if you just put them away and do nothing with them then are you really collecting them or are you hoarding?

Playing with toys; you get the pleasure of playing with them.
Displaying toys; you get the pleasure of looking at them.
Just storing your toys; what's the pleasure in that?

[SkyWarp91]

Allow me to clarify, what I mean is people who don't display nor play with their toys. i.e. all they do is purchase toys and keep them in storage and thus "fail to use them."

If you play with your toys, then you are using them for sure. If you display your toys... well, I guess that's a kind of usage (as much as displaying a piece of art is I suppose). But if you just put them away and do nothing with them then are you really collecting them or are you hoarding?

Playing with toys; you get the pleasure of playing with them.
Displaying toys; you get the pleasure of looking at them.
Just storing your toys; what's the pleasure in that?

Sell them later for profit?

[Vector Prime]

Just storing your toys; what's the pleasure in that?

The joy of ownership.

I collect many things besides TFs (sneakers, video games/consoles, basketball memorabilia) and quite a lot of it sits in storage.

Call me materialistic, but I buy and collect stuff (or hoard it as you call it) because I have the financial means to do so and it brings me pleasure having it in my possession.

If I had enough money, I would probably be one of those guys that collects cars - many of which I would probably only bring out for a drive every once in awhile, but sadly I don't have that sort of money (yet) so what I collect (hoard) is all relative to my financial position.

[Hursticon]

As of now? - 99.85%:


http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/Crap/07-05-11-01.jpg

I now have my Desk and TV Unit back! :p:D

[GoktimusPrime]

Haha, look at that alien photo-bombing your shot!! "Who invited that guy?!" :p

[Hursticon]

Haha, look at that alien photo-bombing your shot!! "Who invited that guy?!" :p

LOL! :D

Whilst he is an utter jerk and deserved that punch to the head by Will Smith :p, he alerts me to anyone who goes too close to my shelves as he lets out an, odd, alien scream and exposes his 'Pilot'! :D
(Otherwise he is utterly useless and takes up a significant amount of space :p)

[valkyrie_76]

Would love to have glass cabinets but at least with the shelving units I can be flexible with the display such as the overhanging boxes and storage on top.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/valkyrie1976/2011-04-27193653.jpghttp://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/valkyrie1976/2011-04-27193714.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

At least you guys have lots of wooden bookcases -- I'd love to get more of that! (much nicer than my cheap and nasty metal tool shelves)


he alerts me to anyone who goes too close to my shelves as he lets out an, odd, alien scream and exposes his 'Pilot'!
That must freak the crap out of people when they first visit your room! :D Reminds me of this one collectable toy store in Taipei that has like a little Grim Reaper figure sitting near the entrance, and just SHRIEKS when you walk past it! My freakin' heart nearly jumped out of my chest!!

Then there's the toy museum in Penang, on the ceiling are several Star Wars figures - a suspended "flying" Stormtrooper and Boba Fett who yell stuff out at you as you walk under them. :p