Click on the picture to see this Collection!! Name:Jorge Merino Location:Mexico City, Mexico

1- What do you collect?
Mostly Star Wars- and vampire-related toys, books and videos. I also have some McFarlane figures and a couple of movie prop replicas.

2- When and how did you start collecting and what keeps you going?
Pretty much since I got my first Star Wars figures, way back in 1981. Being a big SW fan, I haven’t stopped ever since.

3- Why do you collect what you collect?
As with most kids back then, Star Wars swept me off my feet. Having the toys was a natural way of taking part of the movies home. Later on, as I had other interests (such as sci-fi movies and vampires) collecting seemed like the logical thing to do.
 

4- When did you begin to display your collection?
As soon as I started playing less and “showing off” more (and, of course, when I was able to pay for my own toys!). Mid-1980’s, I suppose.

5- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your collection?
On the practical side, I got these heavy-duty racks at Wal-Mart that I felt went well with the SW aesthetic (black and grey plastic). Then I tried to organize each shelf by categories (I have a “Darth Vader” shelf, loose vehicles, boxed vehicles, carded POTF figures, etc.).

6- Do you “collect ‘em all”, or just the ones you like?
Due to the huge amount of SW toys out there (and my limited display space) I don’t go for everything I come across; I will, however, try to get all the figures from limited collections (such as the 4-figure Episode II Sneak Preview set, or the 4-figure McFarlane Danger Girl series).

7- Do you have a favorite character that you collect?
Darth Vader, definitely.

8- Which item in your collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
Hard to say, but I suppose that would be my David Prowse autographed photo.
 

9- How much do you spend a month on your collection?
I normally wait until conventions to do my purchasing, so I don’t really have a monthly amount.

10- Which item was the most difficult to obtain?
I guess my first vintage SW figures (in those days they were hard to come by in Mexico).

11- What is the oldest item you own and the one with the most value?
Probably a die-cast Batmobile from the 1960’s show (I must have gotten it in the late seventies). As for value, I wouldn’t really know.

12- What is your “Holy Grail”?
An (as yet unattained) Holy Grail for me would be a movie-used item, such as a lightsaber or costume.

13- What inspires you to purchase an item to add to your collection?
If it’s cool enough and is about SW, vampires or sci-fi movies.

14- Customizing figures and statues has become very big, have you ever purchased a custom figure or statue and have you ever tried making one?
No.

15- Where do you make most of your purchases from?
Mostly conventions, and there’s a small SW toy store near my house that I sometimes visit.

16- How does your partner (wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend) feel about your collection?
My wife likes it (except when it needs cleaning).

17- Do you ever get hassled about being a toy collector?
Not really. People find it interesting.

18- What will happen to your collection after you've passed away?
I hope I’ll be able to pass on my enthusiasm to my nephew or my (as yet unborn) child, so they may carry on collecting.

19- Is your collection insured?
No, but I should probably get around to it.

20- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire?
As I mentioned before, a movie-used item.

21- What toy did you have as a kid that you most wish you had kept or, at least, kept in good condition for your collection?
I still have my first Darth Vader 12-inch figure, but it’s in pretty bad shape now and missing decals and accessories. I wish I had kept it boxed.

22- If you needed to raise cash quick, would you consider selling (some of) your collection? If so, what would you NEVER sell?
I don’t even want to think about that!

23- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
“Wow!”

24- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? Could you tell us about that?
There are several comic book conventions in Mexico City throughout the year, and I try to attend them all. There’s also a SW-specific convention once a year. They’re usually the best places to find collectibles.

25- Most collectors today go on what they call a toy run; do you participate in that as well? And what are your favorite spots? Tell us about your routine.
As far as I know there are no toy runs in Mexico City.

26- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
Most action figures stay carded (especially vintage or special-edition ones). I will unpack some figures or vehicles for their coolness once displayed (for example, the Darth Maul Unleashed figure or Titanium Series ships).

27- At what stage do you think your collection will be at 10 years from now, do you think you would have grown tired of it?
I don’t think I will ever grow tired of it. If I get a bigger place to live, the collection will probably grow.

28- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection?
Don’t try to buy everything at once; most collections start out by buying just one or two items. Have fun collecting; don’t do it as an investment but as a hobby. Enjoy building up your collection and be proud of it!