Turn on your television today and you will see so many shows about collectibles. From figurines to baseball memorabilia, people love collecting stuff.

You know what I mean?

When I was growing up my father collected stamps and coins. I can still remember his wall full of these things.

There were times where he would open up his collection for us kids to look at. There were coins from all around the world.

His stamps were interesting as well in that they were dated many years back. So much focus went into the design and detail. It is amazing.

It is also no wonder my father enjoyed collecting them.

When you research people who collect you will find that it dates back many years. People have always had a fascination with it.

And if you dig deeper, as I have, you will discover that those who collect antiques consider themselves the "true" collectors.

Honestly, any item or thing that catches your attention, draws you in, and makes your day can be considered a collectible. It doesn't have to be something really old.

Think about Star Wars, for example.

Many people collect this type of memorabilia but a smaller few collect specifically the figurines.

So instead of the life-size weaponry or model ships from the franchise there are collectors that only want the figurines. And some even go further by only wanting a certain kind. Perhaps the height makes the difference or even whether or not it's a Jedi or belongs to Darth Vadar's evil team.

The only thing that matters is that it is a figurine.

Another factor that plays a key role with collecting is the level of significance the item(s) have.

For example a ball from a famous baseball game is one thing but if the ball is signed by Babe Ruth, it takes it to a whole other level.

In my case, I collected baseball cards and comic books for many years. There was just something special about getting a classic comic or a signed old baseball card. It is hard to explain the emotion behind it but passion is sure to be an integral part of collecting for most.

But the truth is some collect for no reason at all. Which is just fine.

I feel we are all collectors in some capacity. Whether it's the desire to not throw out some old highschool sports equipment or an old family pic. It's all the same.

I once came across a woman who loved garden gnomes. She had them everywhere, including outside her garden. She was absolutely obsessed with collecting them.

She had so many gnomes that her yard became a spectacle in the neighbourhood. People would go out of their way to pass by to see what new gnome she added to the family as of late.

Then there are others like my friend Stan.

He loves to collect old, religious paintings.

He says he never knows where the next painting will come from. He drops into old stores and looks around never quite knowing when he will stumble upon the next gem.

And with every picture he finds he adds it to his collection by placing it on a wall within a chapel that he built on his ranch.

He catalogs everything and really keeps an eye on the value of his collection.

Oh and I just have to mention that you can collect animals too. Collecting is not just about paintings, stamps, and Star Wars figurines.

There are many people that collect horses, dogs, fish, you name it.

I trust you found this information useful. Don't stop here. Keep researching the art of collectibles on the Internet. There is an endless supply of information for you to soak in as you begin your collecting journey.