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…
And here are some closeups, starting with the 80’s shelf…
One day, the second shelf will hold just vintage Spider-Man and Hulk toys, but I’ve got a ways to go…
My favorite shelf is filled with vintage Superman and Batman toys from the 60’s and 70’s…
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!
Ahhh, I totally had that Batman clock!
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.
That looks Awesome! I especially like that top ’80s shelf. Somehow that’s exactly how I remember the ’80s in my head.
Yeah, it sums up the 80’s pretty well, and I can thank your Big Toy Auction for a couple of those Thundercats figures. 😉
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 🙂
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.
Robin: “Time to get up and out of bed!”
Batman: “Good boy, Robin, very well said. Squeal!”
I love these shelves. and there is something very special about “shotgun” collections! mine is very similar only it is a shotgun 80s collection!
A good shelf has many layers and one where you see something new every time you look.
Awesome collection and thanks for the tour Brian. : )
Thanks Jboy!
Always nice to see a fellow collectors shelf/shelves.
Thanks Chris!
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.
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?
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.
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. 😉
Look at all that plastic awesomeness! Amazing display, Brian! Those Batman pieces alone are stunning. I love seeing displays like this.
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. 😉
GREAT looking collection and the shelves look awesome.
Thanks Greg! (BTW- your gravatar is creeping me out.) 😉
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.
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. 😉
I’m convinced any vintage toy, especially superhero toys, look good. 😀
I can certainly agree with that statement. 😉
Do you just use Christmas lights? I can’t tell what they are
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.