The Weirdest Collections
Fanboys likes to say, “Everyone collects something,” and I think that’s true. This writer collects a number of things: enamel pins, artwork, snow globes and old cameras for starters. Collections can be big or small, sentimental or not, and may take a lifetime to amass. Some collections are weirder than others though. For fun I googled strange collections and a small handful of articles came up, but some of the things these people collect… I mean, wow. From gross stuff like belly-button lint to more reasonable items like McDonald’s toys. Everyone collects something, here’s some of the weirdest.
Napkins
I’ll ease you into the world of wacky collections with one that’s not so gross. Martina Schellenberg holds the world record for her collection of napkins. On June 26th, 2013 she entered the Guiness Book of World Records with her collection of 125,866 different napkins. I’m sure that number has grown since then. Wait…is that a Batman napkin in that photograph? You bet it is. Well, at least she has good taste.
Traffic Cones
David Morgan has been collecting traffic cones since 1970. He’s got over 500 in his collection. He’s been nick-named “Cone-man the Barbarian,” which is clever I guess. Most collections I can get behind, but orange cones? I don’t get it. Does he swipe one every time he gets stuck in traffic as a sort of memento? Just let him know there’s plenty to be had in Fort Worth ever he should get the itch…
Airsick Bags
Okay, time to start ratcheting up to the gross stuff. Niek Vermeulen has collected over 6,290 barf bags from 1,191 different airlines in over 200 countries since 1986. This weird collection has also afforded him official entry into the Guiness Book of World Records…but I can’t imagine he’s got stiff competition from…anyone really.
Bellybutton Lint
The website I found this weird collection at re-named his collection “Navel Fluff.” I’m not sure if that easier to stomach or not (see what I did there). Regardless it’s pretty…weird. I can’t really read what the labels say on his jarred lint collection in the photograph but I’m wondering what the need for labels are for in the first place? Does he collect by year? By age? By outfit? Not sure. What I am sure of is that his left hand is missing a wedding band.
Cookie Jars
Let’s end on a wholesome note shall we? Who doesn’t remember grabbing cookies from grandma’s weird cookie jars growing up? Edith Eva Fuchs has the largest collection of cookie (or biscuit depending on where you’re reading this) jars on Earth. She’s got 2,700 single cookie jars (7,000 if you count her duplicates). Her duplicates are in use and displayed in her-get this-ice cream shop! I mean, who can resist this sweet grandma who owns an ice cream shop filled to bursting with cookie jars?
So there’s a slim picking of some of the weird collections that span the globe. What do you collect? Fanboys may not have barf bags (we probably have some lint) but rest assured you’re bound to find something to take home from one of our several locations that you can add to your collection.
Also, thinking about starting your own collection? Fanboys has a series of blogs on how to get started. Check it out here.