Collections that got out of hand

[Billie27]

Collecting is a hobby that can sneak up on you. It might start with a single item that caught your eye, a gift or something you picked up on holiday. Then you buy another, and another, and suddenly you have shelves, boxes or entire rooms full of the things. Friends start buying them for you as presents, which only makes it worse

People collect all sorts of things. Vinyl records, retro video games, trading cards, stamps, coins, books, mugs, fridge magnets, Lego, action figures and football programmes are common. Then there are the more unusual collections, like snow globes, rubber ducks, airline sick bags or vintage computer mice. Every collection has its own little community of fans

I have a collection of old tin toys that started when my grandmother gave me one she had as a child. Twenty years later, I have over a hundred, and they cover every shelf in my study. I love them, but I have run out of space. My partner has banned any more purchases, which has not entirely worked

Please share what you collect, how it started and how big it has become. Photos are welcome if you would like to show it off. Bonus points for collections that surprised even you

What collection of yours got out of hand?