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Cool and Collected

Collecting pop culture toys, comics, and collectibles collections

June 1, 2012 By 27 Comments

The Annual Toy Shelf Shuffle

One of the best things about being a collector is the joy you get from arranging and displaying your collection. I’m always rearranging the items on my shelves as new eBay finds work their way into the collection, and when I dig through bins and rediscover something I forgot I had, it’s like Christmas morning.

Shelf space is limited, so I like to rotate the items that go on display — out with the old and in with the new. Here’s how the main display cabinet looks after the latest shuffle…

vintage toy collection display

And here are some closeups, starting with the 80’s shelf…

vintage 80's action figures toy collection display

One day, the second shelf will hold just vintage Spider-Man and Hulk toys, but I’ve got a ways to go…

vintage Hulk and Spiderman toy collection display

My favorite shelf is filled with vintage Superman and Batman toys from the 60’s and 70’s…

vintage Batman and Superman toy collection display

As you can see, I am no completist. I employ the “shotgun collecting” approach, where I collect pretty much anything that catches my eye.

And that concludes today’s tour!

Filed Under: Other

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dex (@Dex1138) says

    June 1, 2012 at 10:39 am

    Ahhh, I totally had that Batman clock!

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 1, 2012 at 10:41 am

      Janex made a bunch of great alarm clocks back in the 70’s. I’ve been on the lookout for the Superman one to go on that shelf.

      Reply
  2. Christopher Noon says

    June 1, 2012 at 10:40 am

    That looks Awesome! I especially like that top ’80s shelf. Somehow that’s exactly how I remember the ’80s in my head.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 1, 2012 at 10:43 am

      Yeah, it sums up the 80’s pretty well, and I can thank your Big Toy Auction for a couple of those Thundercats figures. 😉

      Reply
      • Christopher Noon says

        June 1, 2012 at 10:57 am

        Really? I didn’t even recognize them. I guess my eye was more focused on the seeming feud between battle cat and the Sectaurs.

        Kind of reminds me of that three part South Park where all the imaginary characters fight.

        I also like how Mumm-Ra appears to be keeping Grimlock as a pet 🙂

        Reply
  3. kngfu says

    June 1, 2012 at 10:49 am

    I had the clock too and it used to bug my brother that I would set off the alarm over and over to hear the Bat lines.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 1, 2012 at 11:23 am

      Robin: “Time to get up and out of bed!”
      Batman: “Good boy, Robin, very well said. Squeal!”

      Reply
  4. Ashley says

    June 1, 2012 at 10:51 am

    I love these shelves. and there is something very special about “shotgun” collections! mine is very similar only it is a shotgun 80s collection!

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 1, 2012 at 11:24 am

      A good shelf has many layers and one where you see something new every time you look.

      Reply
  5. jboypacman says

    June 1, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Awesome collection and thanks for the tour Brian. : )

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 1, 2012 at 9:42 pm

      Thanks Jboy!

      Reply
  6. Chris says

    June 2, 2012 at 2:44 am

    Always nice to see a fellow collectors shelf/shelves.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 2, 2012 at 9:20 am

      Thanks Chris!

      Reply
  7. Russell says

    June 2, 2012 at 7:35 am

    Looks nice. I think I may have some spare clothing for He-Man but as is common the tab part is broken. You’re welcome to it though.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 2, 2012 at 9:20 am

      Thanks Russell, that would be awesome. Any bits and pieces you’re looking for these days, or have you completed the ultimate Joe collection already?

      Reply
  8. John says

    June 2, 2012 at 6:20 pm

    Awesome collection. This is a great idea. I’ve been working on diplaying my entire collection, but there is just not enough room for it all. It’s beginning to look like just a cluster. I might need to take your approach. Great display.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 2, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      Thanks John! I’ve been anxiously awaiting photos of the new “Batcave Toy Room!”

      I have an identical cabinet that stands next to the one above and then floor to ceiling shelves on another wall that’s full of books and magazines, and there is still never enough room. This is one of the main reasons I tend to stick with smaller items these days. A Terrordrome is great, but displaying one just isn’t an option for me. 😉

      Reply
  9. Reis O'Brien says

    June 3, 2012 at 1:56 am

    Look at all that plastic awesomeness! Amazing display, Brian! Those Batman pieces alone are stunning. I love seeing displays like this.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 3, 2012 at 10:00 am

      Thanks Reis. I have tried to narrow my Batman focus to around the golden year of 1966 or I would be overrun by the stuff! Something tells me you probably know what I mean. 😉

      Reply
  10. Greg says

    June 4, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    GREAT looking collection and the shelves look awesome.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 4, 2012 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks Greg! (BTW- your gravatar is creeping me out.) 😉

      Reply
  11. Mike says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:13 am

    Wow. Awesome, awsome display.

    The Spidey and Batman stuff are my favorites, cause that’s what I collect as well, but I’m really loving the Hulk stuff as well as the vintage Superman toys.

    I’m also seeing pieces here and there that I’m totally digging on like the James Bond figurines, the Star Wars glass ( I recently found a Luke Skywalker Return of The Jedi glass at a thrift store) and the Gremlin figure.

    I can’t wait until I move so I can display all my stuff as well. Just looking at your pics is giving me ideas on how I want to display my goodies.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 7, 2012 at 10:34 am

      It’s a sickness. I started with Batman, then Superman seeped in, and then those vintage Spider-Man and Hulk toys started to look good. 😉

      Reply
      • Mike says

        June 7, 2012 at 11:02 am

        I’m convinced any vintage toy, especially superhero toys, look good. 😀

        Reply
        • Brian says

          June 7, 2012 at 11:10 am

          I can certainly agree with that statement. 😉

          Reply
  12. Jason Martian says

    June 10, 2012 at 11:16 am

    Do you just use Christmas lights? I can’t tell what they are

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 10, 2012 at 9:03 pm

      They’re actually rope lights. I installed them with just a little bit of drilling and put 1″ boards along the front of the shelves to hide them from view. I like them because they don’t get hot and cook everything inside the cabinet, but they also give a nice, warm light.

      Reply

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