Most people collect and display something in their lives. It might be a collection of family snaps stuck into an album, or holiday souvenirs arranged on a mantlepiece, assembled and displayed without any thought of being a 'collector'.

There is no limit to what has been, or might be collected. Some collections comprise everyday items that are easily available, such as football programmes or badges. Others are determined by a particular feature for example, military items, miniatur

Different things are amassed in different ways. Some collectors buy things at auctions, antique shops, junk shops or even car boot sales. Others join clubs and swap items. Archaeologists dig things up and some of them are displayed in museums.