Reshawn Branch, age 11, from Hillside, collects comic books, toothpicks and Pogs. Someday he would like to collect paper money and coins, medals and model cars. His favorite items are the Spiderman first issue and Onslaught comics, and he says, "I love them because I think they will be worth something later on in my life." Reshawn puts a lot of effort into taking car of his collections and says "I enjoy collecting because they make me feel proud of myself."
Alonzo T. Darden, III, age 12, from Newark, has a large collection of comics carefully stored in acid-free plastic envelopes. He thinks it would be great to amass a collection of "Bruce Lee stuff." He will be exhibitn colorful clay martial arts figurines that he made all by himself. A.T.D's strength as a collector is that "I organize in a good way."
Matthew Brown, age 11, from Newark, likes cards, all kinds of cards. He saves Ice Hockey, Baseball, Basketball, Football, and X-Men cards, in addition to coins, stamps, and baseball caps. He's like to begin saving glass bottles, especially those from Arizona brand iced tea. The items he likes best in his collection "are the ones no one has." He likes to look through the cards because they "remind me of my favorite players. " Collecting, Matthew wrote, "keeps me from getting bored."
Robin McGrath, age 10, from Maplewood, collects bookmarks and erasers (that she never uses). Robin learned that her drawer full of hair ties and accessories can also be considered a collection, and thinks "my collection represents my personality, Bookmarks = I love to read."
Edward Chung , age 11, from Short Hills, hangs onto sports and action cards, colored rocks, paperclips staplers, books and magazines. The best pieces in his collection are "sports cards that I keep in plastic seals and keep vaulted." Someday he says "I might or my following relatives may make a museum I enjoy collecting because I collect unusual things... I think collecting is my place in the sun."
Christopher J. Moore, age 12, from Newark, is an avid reader and a big R.L. Stine fan.. He likes the Goosebumps series and another favorite is The Ghost of Fear Street. He might collect keychains and bandanas one day but for now books are the most attractive to Chris because "they're interesting, suspenseful and have nice covers."
Nicholas Rivera, age 10, is a Newark resident whose father has passed along his love for comic books. Nicholas enjoys reading Dick Tracy comics and has a diverse group of sports and action cards such as Earthwatch 2000 series. He thoroughly enjoyed sorting, dating and collecting pennies.
Rashid Watson, age 9, from East Orange, has put together a selection of comic books and video games. The Streetfighter games are currently tops on his wish list. When asked why his collections are special to him, Rashid responded, "They make me want to draw them." Rashid is eager to see and learn about almost all collectibles.
More Collectors