Some people collect bottles or marbles, some coins or stamps, some swizzle sticks or corkscrews, some shoes, although I think it depends on the vintage of the shoes to deem it a true collectors item. Others collect baseball or hockey cards. I have a niece who collected stuffed animals from every trip, adventure and/or vacation she went on. A cousin collects Royal Doulton figurines. I suppose everyone at a time in their lives collects something.
Me, I collect books. Not just any books, although I do have a lot of books. I collect Nancy Drew Mystery books. The Classic Collection only. The Classics were published between 1930 & 1979 and are volumes 1-56. Of course there have been so many prints and reprints and adjustments that I gave up trying to get a consistent set but am just concentrating on ensuring mine were printed between 1930 & 1979. Right now I need only 8 more books and 4 replacements. Replacements because I received newer versions as a gift a few years ago.
And if I choose to get even more specific the first reprint of volumes 1-34 had 25 chapters … the next reprint only 20 chapters. Of the first 34 volumes, I have 11 with 25 chapters so I could, if I chose, start hunting down the volumes with 25 chapters once I complete my 56 volume set. We’ll see if I want to complicate my life at that point.
A lot of my collection were gifts. As a kid around 11 or 12 nothing made me happier than when my Mom brought me home a new Nancy Drew book to read. She’d pick it up at the local five & dime after grocery shopping. And even today at 60 something nothing makes me happier than receiving a Nancy Drew book as a gift. It’s a thing.
When I first started collecting I had about 20 or so, most of which were from my Mom and it’s grown from there. My husband contributes on birthday’s and Christmas if he’s able to find any I need. And whenever I see a new used book store I stop in to see if they have any of my missing books. It’s fun collecting, for now.
What do you collect? Care to share.
Until the next time.
I didn't know that about you Christine!
Such a great collection! There is a great used bookstore that I used to visit frequently called B Street Books (https://www.bstreetbooks.com/) and they often had beautiful vintage copies of children's literature - lots of Nancy Drew for sure. Next time I go there I'm definitely buying one. I hope you get your 8 books and 4 replacements!