Click on the picture to see this Collection!! Name: Andy J (Mr. Stinkhead) Location: Washington DC

1- What is it that you collect?
Playmobil makes up the largest portion. I am done collecting MOTU unless they surprise us and bring the line back up, and include new characters. I am now in love with C3 and Minimates and I’m currently addicted to everything Xevoz.

2- What was it that brought you to collecting? And what is that keeps you going?
I’m a graphic designer, so I typically collect things that are visually stimulating, in an artistic sense. The translation of a well known character or object to plastic. The incorporation of articulation, the use of materials. I am always looking for something that stimulates my mind when I look at (or play with) it.

3- When did you start collecting?
I picked up some Star Wars and other random things that caught my fancy before college. (I love squishy rubbery toys) When I worked for a company where all of the employees had massive collections on their desk, I zeroed in on Playmobil as my “theme.” I had to keep up, and everyone else had a specific genre covered. Japanese, movie, cartoon, etc.

4- Why (what you collect) example:Batman, Star Wars, Transformers, etc…?
I collect playmobil because of the artistic qualities of the figures, objects and packaging. They follow a set of graphic design “rules” that keeps me thinking.
I have gone into some detail on my site why I think Batman is my favorite super hero. I also find the Minimates to be perfect interpretations of comic book characters.
I collect Masters of the Universe because of the (at one point) perfect marriage between design, nostalgia and play value. I think the Skeletor (2002) is the perfect action figure. He looks great. You can play with him, and he has high value by reminding me of my childhood.
I’ve also recently adopted Xevoz for their collectability, playability and great design. You can tell the artists had much more free reign in designing these figures. Plus, as a photographer, I love how you can get some of the greatest looking poses out of these toys. These are my favorite to photograph for my site.
I’ve had to be very limiting in my Muppet collection, due to funds and space, but these figures are simply incredible. They look just like the original Muppets, and the playsets are just packed with options and features.

5- When did you start displaying them?
I started really being conscious of displaying them when I worked with that one company with all the toys. Then when I changed to a job that wasn’t toy friendly, they all had to come home. That’s when I had to seriously look at space management, and what was important, and what had to wait in storage.

6- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your collection?
The figures I keep on permanent display are the ones I like talking about to guests. The playmobil book shelf system kind of resembles a castle, so that would mirror one of the themes. I also liked having Old West right near the castle, which was above the Incan temple, which is near the bank robbery, etc. I enjoyed having these little worlds to set up.

7- Do you have a favorite character(s) you collect?
I will at least seriously consider any Batman figure. I can’t possibly get all of them, and there are many I want, but if it’s Batman, I’ll check it out. I would say Skeletor, but honestly, after that first one, the others were crap. Variants annoy me.

8- Which item in your collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
I think the new Skeletor is my favorite right now because of how it completely represents what action figures should be, in my mind. I also have a squishy purple alien, you can pull and stretch his arms, and squeeze his chest and his brain pops out of the top of his head (under his space bubble). Oh and he screams when you do those things to him. He’s about 14” high, and very durable. (Stolen once too, had to get a replacement. We found the culprit, who mistakenly took him home from a party, and he fell in love with it, so we got another one)

9- Which item was the most difficult to obtain? And which one is your prized possession?
The playmobil saloon was very hard to track down. First off, it’s a beautiful playset. The bartender and “dancing girl” are terrific figures, and the set is great for the other playmobil figures to stop by and grab a pint of suds. It was extremely hard to get because most American retailers didn’t want to be stuck with a toy bar that American parents wouldn’t buy for their kids. I had a friend and fellow collector in Germany send me this set, where it’s a little easier to track down.

I also have a little promotional Hobermansphere keychain given out at Toy Fair 2002, that was handed to me by Hoberman himself. He had just gotten off the plane from Salt Lake City , because he had worked on the opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics. Here I am, promoting this web site that hasn’t even launched yet, and he takes a minute to genuinely listen to my praise, comments and suggestions. That simple freebie key chain helps me keep the faith in the industry.

10- What is the oldest item you own? and the one with the most value?
Oldest : I have an original R2D2 from the Empire Strikes Back wave. And this one has the stickers still on it. My mom bought two, and after the stickers came off, she’d give me another one (but I knew this gravy train wouldn’t last forever, I did have to be careful, but I was also 5)
Most Valuable: as far as value to other collectors, I have a Jim Lee Batman head sketch that is constantly netting me unsolicited offers. I know that’s not a toy… ok, I have a promo Toy Fair Ultima Online figure autographed by Todd McFarlane (he autographed it because they felt bad that I had to wait awhile in the showroom before the tour. I didn’t complain at all!)
I would say that 2004 Toy Fair Jakks Ultimate Warrior figure (valued at $500) was the most valuable, but I don’t have him anymore… whoops.

11- What inspires you to purchase an item to add to your collection?
I am a sucker for the completeness factor. But I’ve been working on that, and nothing hammers home the “you can’t possibly collect em all” like playmobil does. There are more playmobil toys than any other toy on earth. Mainly because they’ve been making the same “line” since 1974.
If something is cool, and worth the money (or the begging to the manufacturer) it could easily be added to my shelf. I have an open door policy on new toy lines. Xevoz are easily my number two favorite right now… of all time, and they’re less than a year old.

12- Customizing figures and statues has become very big, have you ever purchased a custom figure or statue and have you ever tried making one?
I had poor experience with customizing in the past. I can’t get past my inability to make the finished product actually look like it came from a factory, and for some reason, that’s really important. I did custom build a working Batphone (http://www.millionaireplayboy.com/toys/batphone.php) that I have a lot of pride in, and I’m wrapping up a custom playmobil game-show play set that you’ll be able to make yourself with part #s and stickers you download. (link coming soon, maybe a week or two?)
How could I forget? I did some mad photoshop customizing to make Blair Witch Project action figures. Those got around the net like crazy back in the day. (http://www.ageowns.com/blairmobil.html)

13- What do you think of the custom Craze?
I think it’s great seeing the community that has emerged. I have also been really, really impressed with the likes of Iron Cow, Airmax, Guyver, Spy Magician…. There are a ton of really, really impressive artists out there, and it can be inspiring when you see their work. Seek out the Custom Coalition. (http://www.ironcowprod.com/Plastic/CustomCoalition.html)

14- Where do you make most of your purchases from? ebay seems to be a favorite with collectors these days, are you an ebayholic?
Honestly, I cheat a bit. I get a good bit of my toys directly from the manufacturers. But you don’t want to hear about that. I’m getting pissed that Wal*Mart has been a better provider of new toys lately, above Toys R Us. I think the entire collecting movement is in danger if Toys R Us completely disappears, and I don’t want to support Wal*Mart, but I also have to stay competitive. I also use eBay a fair amount, but I have been exercising good control lately.

15- Is your collection insured?
Kind of… not each individual item, but I do have insurance on “collectables” I also have thorough photographic proof of these items.

16- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire?
Ever since I made that Batphone (sorry, I can’t stop pluggin’) I really want a tilt-head Shakespeare bust… which leads me to one day want a reproduction 1966 George Barris Batmobile (from the TV show.) That’s bad, and probably not going to happen unless someone bums me $60,000. Seriously, I would like to get a good bit more Asian vinyl toys in my collection. And there is an elusive playmobil TV studio from the early 80s I really want. Almost more than the more elusive playmobil Eskimo family.

17- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
Most people are initially impressed, but then they start to wonder “what’s wrong” with me. A good number of them start playing with stuff. (I have “touch” and “don’t touch” shelves)

18- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? could you tell us about that?
I do hit a fair number of conventions. Mid-Ohio-Con usually nets me some hard to find treasures. I did Wizard World a few times. I like how you can wait to purchase something and barter for prices. There’s a treasure hunt aspect that I love. I also hate when I try to wait on something, and then not see it again (or it’s now $15 higher than the first time) It’s a gamble.

19- Most collectors today go on what they call a toy run, do you participate in that as well? And what are your favorite spots? Do you have a routine?
I do go on toy runs, usually on the Saturday mornings while the wife is busy. I’ll hop in the car, hit Toys R Us, leave disappointed, and then shoot up the road to hit Target and Wal*Mart. It’s odd, one weekend, I’ll get a lot of stuff at different places, some weekends I get nothing. If the scheduling works out, I’ll hit this Japanese import store I found (too much hentai, but they do have some great robots), and then Big Lots before going home. Sometimes you can get some real treasures at Big Lots. Plus there’s a Dollar Tree a few doors down.

20- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
I am typically an opener. I think you can’t really be “familiar” with your toys without touching them. Seeing what poses you can get. I kept my 300th Boba Fett in the package because everyone was saying you can’t do anything with him but that one pose. There is an aspect to MOC figures that helps me keep a few sealed. But typically those are ones that the manufacturer thought you were going to keep sealed anyway. (MOTU Re-issues were the first I bought where I wanted something to display MOC) I have had some regrets though. I wish I had kept my (WDW exclusive) Indiana Jones in the package. The card was great, and the toy, since opened, is lousy.

21- 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 could see getting a little burned out if I keep going at this pace. I need more rhyme or reason. Not just “that would look great on my site.” In 10 years I will probably have at least one offspring, and their gender, as well as personal favorites will also guide my collecting. If we have a girl, I’m lucky, they won’t want to touch my stuff, but then again, I don’t get the excuse of taking them shopping with me. There may be a 10 year period where I put everything in storage… until they’re old enough to understand “these are Daddy’s toys. Look, but don’t touch.” It will be a dark time yes… wait, I’ll be raising a kid, I’m not supposed to say that.

22- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection?
Be inspired, not daunted, by someone else’s collection. It’s about you, not them. But in a way, it will always be about them. That’s why they’re on display, and not in our sweaty little fists. I also say to definitely set up some rules or guidelines for yourself. Set up a budget, a limit. It’s easy to go overboard in this hobby, especially when just one more costs less than $10. But then you’re just one more-ing 10 times in a month.