80 Things People Proudly Collect That Might Surprise You

For some of us, the first things that come to mind when we hear the word “collectibles” are an uncle’s stamp collection, Beanie Babies, or the Pokémon cards we obsessed over as kids. But the world of collecting goes far beyond these familiar examples—and it’s a surprisingly big business, too.

The global collectibles market is estimated to be worth $551.63 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $915.61 billion by 2035. In 2025, Europe accounted for the largest share of global market activity, at approximately 37.3%, followed by North America at 30.9%.

But perhaps this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, with some positing that “collecting is a universal human behavior,” an urge that “connects people across cultures and generations.” Others go so far as to call it a “deeply human instinct.”

So, what exactly drives us to collect? There probably isn’t one simple answer. As one overview of the subject puts it, there are “almost as many answers to this question as there are individual collectors.” Writing for The Guardian, psychologist Christian Jarrett, author of The Rough Guide to Psychology, similarly points out that people can collect for vastly different reasons and in vastly different ways. Where a sports fan might collect team memorabilia as an expression of loyalty, for example, a philatelist might take pride in tracking down rare stamps.

For some, it’s the thrill of the hunt—the excitement of finding something rare or unusual. For others, collecting can be a way of holding on to the past, with objects serving as tangible reminders of childhood, people, places, or experiences. And then there are those drawn to collecting for the simple pleasure of discovering, organizing, and owning things they find interesting.

Looking at collecting from a neuropsychological perspective suggests much the same: it’s about far more than simply owning stuff.

Shirley M. Mueller, a “serious collector” and a physician board-certified in neurology and psychiatry, takes a neuropsychological look at the question in her book, Inside the Head of a Collector: Neuropsychological Forces at Play. Her work suggests that, depending on the person, collecting can satisfy curiosity, provide a sense of pleasure or achievement, connect us with other people or history (or generations to come), and keep us coming back for the anticipation of finding the next great addition.

When it comes to the latter in particular, research published in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that collectors are especially motivated to keep going when a set is close to completion. The researchers link this to a desire for control, suggesting that bringing individual objects together into a structured whole can provide a sense of order and achievement.

As master neuro-linguistic programming coach Alison Blackler puts it, “In a world that often feels chaotic, a collection can become a personal microcosm of control.” Deciding what to acquire, how to categorize it, and how to display it, she says, can fulfill our need to exercise some agency over our environment. Looking at some of the collections featured on this list, you don’t necessarily need to be a collector to appreciate that satisfaction. There’s something undeniably pleasing about seeing a carefully curated collection come together.

And that satisfaction in displaying a collection—for both the collector and those who get to admire it—brings us to another important dimension of collecting: while the hobby is certainly personal, it can also bring people together.

Clubs, forums, conventions, and online groups give collectors a place to share their finds, exchange knowledge, and connect with others who understand their interests. As Blackler puts it, these communities can become “social rituals where this shared passion is celebrated.” In these spaces, someone’s personal collection becomes about more than the objects themselves: “The collection acts as a badge—instantly signalling shared values, and providing a strong sense of belonging that combats isolation.”

And that’s exactly where groups like r/collectables come in. Here, members can share their collections, show off their latest finds, and connect with others who share their enthusiasm for collecting. We’ve, erm, collected some of our own favorites from the group for you—enjoy digging in!