Over Memorial Day weekend, I decided to tackle a new arrangement for some of my collection. I cleared off eight shelves in the built-in bookcases and started to put a variety of items in place of the books that had been there since I built the shelves. Here’s how it turned out…
First let me just say that photographing a wall of items without proper lighting is impossible. Please pardon the glare.
Here’s a close-up view of the shelves on the left…
I really tried to arrange the items so I could get at least three layers of items on each shelf–tallest items in the back and smallest items in the front. (Board games make for great backdrops!)
This style of display suits me perfectly, because it is easy to swap items in and out since there isn’t an overall theme. I decided to mix old and new, and not focus on particular characters or product lines. I want people to see these shelves and discover something new each time, without making the shelves too cluttered or busy to actually enjoy.
I know a lot of collectors like to display every action figure or video game in their collection, but I prefer to show just a sample, knowing that I can always pull out the box of all the other items I have when I want to see them. I only have three Star Wars figures displayed on the shelves but if you look carefully, there’s an entire case of them on the top left shelf. And that G.I. Joe APC is actually filled with vintage figures.
I’m probably the only guy in the world who has a copy of Shogun Warriors #1 on display, but it seemed to want to be there. Now if I could just find Raydeen’s left fist!
Tommy says
June 4, 2013 at 12:29 pmLooks great!
Do you need a Planet of the Apes model kit to go with the ones you have? I saw one for super cheap the other day at a place I plan on hitting up again soon. Let me know if you do!
Brian says
June 4, 2013 at 12:47 pmI have a few POTA model kits, but would certainly be interested to know which one you saw.
Tommy says
June 4, 2013 at 12:50 pmI’ll let you know when I see it again!
Brian says
June 4, 2013 at 12:54 pmThanks Tommy!
Lamar the Revenger says
June 4, 2013 at 12:40 pmBeautiful set up. LOVE the Water Moccasin boxed also!
Brian says
June 4, 2013 at 12:46 pmThanks! The Moccasin was always one of my favorite vehicles.
Reis O'Brien says
June 4, 2013 at 1:53 pmDAT RAYDEEN.
Kal says
June 4, 2013 at 3:51 pmWOW…that is beautiful. I love looking at collections when they are displayed up right.
Brian says
June 4, 2013 at 4:06 pmThanks Cal!
jboypacman says
June 4, 2013 at 4:23 pmLooks awesome Brian and the type of set-up I want to have someday. : )
Brian says
June 4, 2013 at 4:28 pmThanks John! After the post you put up on your site today, I think I realized I neglected to put any M.U.S.C.L.E.s up on the shelves! Problem fixed now. 😉
The Goodwill Geek says
June 4, 2013 at 8:20 pmlove. Love. LOVE. the shots of your collection when you post them! This may be weird to say, but the shelves themselves are gorgeous! I wish my cave was lined with built-ins! And you’ve managed that perfect balance of jumbled-but-NOT-cluttered that I would love to achieve myself.
Brian says
June 4, 2013 at 8:31 pmThanks Derek. I built those shelves several years ago and they are actually VERY basic, Carpentry 101 sort of construction, but it’s amazing what some stain and trim can do!
I am constantly struggling to keep the clutter to a minimum, but it’s not easy. If the room gets too cluttered, I just don’t want to be in it and have to clear it out!
Rich says
June 5, 2013 at 7:44 amLol I’m the same way! I love my collection but when it’s starts to overwhelm my space I get a little nuts. I’ve accepted the fact that ill need to rotate some of my stuff until my wife lets me take over the guest room…….
Brian says
June 5, 2013 at 9:10 amGood luck with that mission! I’ve been gunning for our basement for ten years, but haven’t been able to convince my wife yet. 😉
Dex (@Dex1138) says
June 4, 2013 at 9:18 pmThe thing I am most jealous of in these pics is the damn shelf space you have! I would love to have that much room in my house to show stuff off…but then I’d hate dusting it!
Brian says
June 4, 2013 at 9:38 pmHa! Yeah shelf space is probably the most valuable item in those pictures. 😉
Rich says
June 5, 2013 at 7:42 amGreat looking display! I’m not super familiar with transformers (had them as a kid but only til about 6 or 7). Is that the original Optimus Prime? The metal one? Really cool!
Brian says
June 5, 2013 at 9:09 amYep, that’s the G1 Optimus Prime up there. I don’t know that I ever owned a Transformer as a kid, but it’s kind of fun to have a couple now–not really in the market for any more but I would like to find a good boxed sample to display.
Rich says
June 5, 2013 at 11:33 amA vendor had one graded like an 80 or 85 at Philly comic con for like 950! I made pretend my credit card wasn’t in my pocket and kept walking 😉
Brian says
June 5, 2013 at 11:38 amYikes!
kngfu says
June 5, 2013 at 9:43 pmWow! I sure miss my Shogun Warriors.
Brian says
June 9, 2013 at 10:57 amThey are pretty great. Let me know if you ever stumble across Raydeen’s left fist in all your flea market hunts!
John (Batcave Toy Room) says
June 8, 2013 at 7:55 pmI always admire your shelves Brian. Whenever I try to duplicate your arrangements it just never looks right to me. Great job as usual.
Brian says
June 9, 2013 at 10:56 amThanks John! As you know, you inspired this whole project for me. 😉
Tintod says
June 8, 2013 at 11:25 pmThat certainly is an envious collection. I’m especially geeking out over the the MOTU tray and the Pac-man tabletop game. Nicely displayed.
Brian says
June 9, 2013 at 10:56 amThanks!