Click on the picture to see this Collection!! Name: Vince Masson Location:Ontario, Canada

1- How did you first get into collecting?
The thought never actually crossed my mind. I had bought a few Simpson things here and there just for kicks and eventually it grew. The rest is history.

2- What was the first item you collected?
Can you remember how you came across it? The first item I collected was a “Bart Simpson on the toilet” piggy bank. A couple of kids were tossing it around in a thrift store, when they were done I went to have a look, I had a laugh and bought it.

3- What's the driving force behind you wanting to collect?
The fact that there’s still a ton of Simpson items out there, not to mention it’s still my favorite show.

4- Did you start out with the intention of collecting or did it just gradually grow?
No, it never occurred to me, so yeah, it did gradually grow, one item led to another and before I knew it, I was installing new shelves

5- Do you “Collect ‘em all”, or just the ones you like?
I’m definitely an “all” person. If it has the Simpsons on it, I’ll buy it, no questions. I have Simpson ravioli and a couple boxes of cookies, not exactly “collecting” material…

6- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
A few months ago everything I bought stayed in the package and some stuff still does, until one day when I was watching beat the geeks. The toy geek says. “I hate when collectors keep their stuff inside the package, it’s a toy, it’s meant to be played with” that’s all it took, after that; I wasn’t concerned about the packages anymore.

7- Do you have a favorite character that you Collect? 
No. My favorite character in the show is Homer but I don’t exclusively go for him. Likewise I don’t discriminate against any characters either.

8- When did you begin to display your Collection?
I used to put all my items on top of my desk in no particular order because I didn’t really have any other places to put it. Eventually it started looking like a collection so I just added on to it.

9- What would your ideal set-up look like?
Everything standing up right in a showcase, or at least a bigger shelf where I don’t have to block off certain things.

10- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your Collection?
There’s no real order, as you may have noticed, I don’t really have the space to be picky. All my stuffed figures go on the top shelf and everything else is kind of clumped together.

11- How many pieces does your Collection contain?
I couldn’t tell you. Over 200 if I had to guess.

12- Do you have a favorite piece?
If so, which one and why? Probably my 1990 Mad Magazine showing the debut of the Simpsons. It’s fun to see the spotlight on the beginning of the longest running American animated series. It’s like watching an interview with Barry Bonds and the host saying “This guy’s going places” and sure enough…

13- How much do you spend a month on your Collection?
Some months more than others. Around Christmas is when I spend the most because of the limited items. At the start of my collecting, I’d spend around 70 bucks a month, give or take.

14- Which item was the most difficult to obtain?
Those damn jumping beans! They’d come in packs of about 4 and of course I’d always get the same one’s but I eventually did it.

15- What is the oldest item you own and the one with the most value?
Again, my Mad Magazine from 1990. As for value I couldn’t tell you, they’re all valuable to me.

16- What is your “Holy Grail”?
Matt Groenings autograph.

17- How much of your time do you spend collecting new items?
Not a lot, I don’t specifically go out and buy Simpsons stuff, it’s more of if I’m in a store I’ll look for them, or I’ll stumble upon them.

18- Where does the majority of your collection come from?
Most of it comes from Thrift stores, surprisingly, I usually pick up one or two things each time. I’ve recently got into eBay. I buy shirts from most clothing stores as well.

19- How has the internet changed toy collecting for you?
Because I can buy items that would normally be impossible to get. Instead of wasting years tracking down an item I can just look it up on the computer. Items on the internet I find are usually cheaper than say a retail store as well.

20- Do you have a database or a list of all your pieces so you can keep track of them better?
No, it’s a bit late for that too.

21- How does your partner (wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend) feel about your collection?
I’m single right now. And yes, I know how that sounds. Although if a girl didn’t like me over my collection, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

22- Do you ever get hassled about being a toy collector?
No, despite the fact that not too many people have seen it, most find it pretty cool.

23- What will happen to your collection after you've passed away?
Hopefully I’ll have a grateful, appreciative kid that will take it, or a friend.

24- Is your collection insured?
No

25- 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?
Funny you should ask because it’s the very thing that started it all. My Bart Simpson piggybank. I had money in there and I couldn’t get it out so I bent the top to try and get the coins out, turns out it warped it.

26- Have you ever had to physically move your entire collection?
Not really. I’ve taken everything off and then put it back only to dust my shelves.

27- Which is your favorite toy company?  Why?
I don’t really favor any toy companies, I just buy Simpsons stuff.

28- If you needed to raise cash quick, would you consider selling (some of) your collection? If so, what would you NEVER sell? 
The day won’t come where I will need cash that bad, unless of course my wife or something needed an immediate transplant, and even then….maybe.

29- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
“Cool”

30- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? Could you tell us about that?
No, I’ve never attended a convention

31- How do you see your collection growing in the future? Do you think you would have grown tired of it?
Big…Very big. And no, I don’t think I’ll get tired of it, even when the show goes off I’ll still have everything.

32- What sources do you recommend for anyone interested in building a similar collection?
Ebay, it works wonders. If you type in “The Simpsons” expect to look at items for a good day or two.

33- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection?
Keep your priorities straight.