Display vs. Investment: What Kind of Collector Are You?

For centuries, people all around the world have become collectors. People collect all kinds of different things. Some collect historical artifacts while others collect art and, within the past few decades, more and more people around the world have begun to collect toys.

People begin collecting for many different reasons. Some people start collecting themselves after they inherit a collection from a relative or friend. Others start collecting out of nostalgia when they find an item that brings them back to a past moment in their lives.

Whatever the reason for collecting, people all around the world, of all ages and through all generations, find that growing their collection expresses a large part of their personality and interests. Different collectors, however, choose to collect with different core motivations.

This often causes an outcome of two different categories of collectors: those who display their collections, and those who use their collections as an investment. Throughout this blog, we will dive into these two types of collectors. Which kind of collector are you? Stick around to find out!

Join Us in Seeing Display Collectors vs. Investment Collectors

Follow along in our blog with us as we first mention the type of collector who displays their collection. With this, we will mention the emphasis on aesthetics along with their great passion for the items they own. Next, we will mention the collector who uses their items for investment. With this one, we will dive into their emphasis on market value and appreciation. 

Display

First up, on our blog, we will dive into the display type of collector. These collectors display their collections to showcase their accomplishment in growing it along with using their display as a form of self-expression and simply enjoying their collection every time they walk past.

Displaying takes a solitary hobby and turns it into a more interactive social experience by being able to share your items with others as they are able to view your collection as well.

Along with in person display and exhibiting, the vast world of technology and social media has allowed many displayers to also share their collection with people around the world through images and descriptions of their items on display as they post them online.

A collector’s display communicates a part of the collector’s personality, values, and interests. It gives a glimpse into the collector’s background as well. So many people collect from nostalgia in some way. They collect items that bring them joy, often from a point in their lives from the past that they remember fondly.

The display collector is typically different from the investment collector. Continue following along as we mention the display collector’s emphasis on aesthetic and passion. 

Aesthetic

With the collector who displays their cherished items, aesthetics often plays a large role when it comes to the items that this collector purchases. Since this collector wishes to showcase their items, the display collector often looks at the condition.

However, the condition of the items is looked at more for aesthetics and display reasons over monetary purposes. These collectors often don’t wish to display beaten up items. They search for the items that are in good condition to display and look nice.

Although the collection on display might stay in good condition long- term, especially if the collector cleans regularly and takes care of each item, there are typically more dangers to the collection’s condition when displaying than when storing.

Especially on open display shelves, loose collected items are susceptible to damage from dust, sunlight, temperature changes, and frequent handling. Proper care and proper display cases, however, help keep items in good condition and looking sharp for display purposes.

With this, the collector who displays their collection typically cares more about aesthetic and viewing purposes than keeping their collection’s value exactly the same or hoping to earn a profit from it. Whether it’s posing action figures or standing up autographed collectibles, the displayer gets to see his/ her collection and is reminded of the joy the items bring them every time they look at it.

Passion

Passion is also a great characteristic of a collector who chooses to display their items. These collected items hold significance for the collector and reflect things he/she loves and values. When this kind of collector displays their items, it gives them an opportunity to share the things they love, to share their passion, with others.

The displayer sees all of the items they searched far and wide to own and just has to have them out in the open for display. This collector is satisfied and happy with arranging their collection just so to their liking in a way that allows them to see each item well. They have the freedom to rearrange and move items in different ways to create a new look for their collection. 

Along with this, the passion of a collector who displays their items is shown by what they purchase. While someone who uses their items as an investment may purchase items they don’t necessarily love in order to complete a set, a collector who displays their items buys what they love out of passion and interest to see them on display.

A collector who displays their collection usually doesn’t buy items they don’t love because they wouldn’t want to display them. Every single item that is displayed comes from a heart of love for each item and tells a story that flows from the collector’s life. 

Investment

The next type of collector we will mention is the collector who uses the items in their collection as investments. This type of collector typically searches specifically for rare and high valued items to add to their collection with the intention of investment.

This collector often searches with the same nostalgia and interest as the collector who displays but this collector searches specifically for high valued items to keep for years with the intention of reselling as the value increases over time. 

The collector who uses their items as investments do so to build wealth while also keeping the desire for the items they are purchasing. Most of the time, these collectors don’t purchase items they don’t also enjoy themselves. Through this next portion of our blog, we will mention some of the characteristics and things these collectors value. This includes the market value and appreciation. 

Market Value

The collector who looks at collectible items for investment utilizes the changing market and researches fluctuations as well as the quality of items to find the market value for specific items over periods of time. This helps to get the best price for a high valued item that will likely grow in value over time.

This type of collector also makes sure to look into the rarity, authentication, and condition of the items they are potentially purchasing as these all factor into the value of an item- especially long-term. Since collectibles have perceived value rather than cash value, it is important for these collectors to search the market and make sure the items they are purchasing will be worth it.

Over time, many collectibles continue to rise in value. Rare items especially rise in value over time since they are limited in quantity and good condition. When a collector has their collection for investment, they often look towards the future when they can resell for profit. 

Unlike the collector who displays their items, many investors even buy duplicates of more rare items or purchase items they don’t necessarily love in order to complete a set for higher value and profit in the future.

Appreciation

With this collector watching the market for the perfect items, they are also more likely to let go of items if the market peaks. This type of collector greatly appreciates the monetary value of the items as well as the historical value.

While the collector who displays items also has great appreciation for their collection, the investor often appreciates the historical significance of each item and will do anything to keep the item in the best possible condition it can remain in. Because of this, the collector who uses their collection as investments typically holds a high bar for specific storage and inventory of each item. 

Since the perceived value of collectibles comes from the demand of buyers who look at the item through the lens of rarity, nostalgia, popularity, and condition, it is vital for the investing collector to preserve and store each item properly.

For instance, if a collectible is worth $2,000 but isn’t stored properly, the value will decrease quickly rather than gain value. Many collectors prioritize storing their valuable collected items in climate controlled storage and in sealed bins or shelves to keep them away from environmental damage and pests.

They often make sure to keep items in storage and only bring them out for special occasions or for routine cleaning to keep their value as high as possible.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are the type of collector who displays or the type of collector who invests, both love and cherish their collections in different ways. While investing or displaying, neither one is incorrect or better than the other. Both are valuable as the motivations behind the collecting proceess enhance collecting in different ways.

Do You Have Old or Used Toys?

Don’t let your collection sit in storage gathering dust—turn it into cash! At Wheeljack’s Lab, we specialize in evaluating and buying vintage and used toys, from single standouts to entire collections.

Our friendly, expert team has decades of hands-on experience in collectible toys, so you can expect honest evaluations and a smooth process from start to finish. Ready to sell? Call us at 888-946-2895 and let’s get started.

About the Owner, Chris Ingledue

Chris is the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. His vision has always been to reconnect collectors with the toys and pop culture that shaped their childhoods—sparking memories, nostalgia, and imagination along the way.

Each day in the “Lab” feels like Christmas year-round. From scouring the internet for the next great treasure—much like flipping through the Sears Catalog of years past—to eagerly awaiting the postman’s arrival like Santa himself, Chris lives and breathes the thrill of the hunt. Helping collectors around the world experience their own version of Christmas is what makes being a vintage toy buyer an absolute joy.