Published October 17, 2025 | By Ambre L, Collectors MD Community Member
As the initial excitement of collecting began to wane, I learned that not everything that sparkles is truly valuable. Many times, the cards and collectibles that seemed destined to change my life turned out to be far less extraordinary than they appeared. Through this realization, it became apparent that collecting—while rewarding and fulfilling—also carries the risk of financial pitfalls if not approached with care.
Witnessing loved ones experience disappointment, chasing promises of treasures only to discover they were worth much less than expected, deeply influenced my mindset. This eye-opening experience led to a transformation in both my collecting habits and my outlook. I made a conscious decision to step back from constantly searching for and desiring the next rare find.
Moments like these remind me that collecting doesn’t have to revolve around what’s mine—it can also be about what we share.
My collection has undergone a significant transformation over time. Initially, I was drawn to expensive comic busts, investing heavily in these prized pieces. That interest eventually shifted toward risqué anime figures, further fueling my enthusiasm for collecting. However, after losing thousands of dollars on various collectibles and comics, I realized the need to change direction.
As a result, I began focusing on sports “bad guys”—athletes with controversial reputations who fascinated me since childhood. What began as a simple passion soon turned into an obsession. Over time, though, that fixation mellowed into a curiosity I now enjoy sharing with others. Rather than collecting for personal gain, I take pleasure in searching for intriguing additions and sharing the stories behind these unique figures with fellow enthusiasts.
In embracing the so-called “bad boys” of sports, I began to see how even the most flawed figures can tell powerful stories about consequence, redemption, and human complexity.
The way my collection is perceived—the glances and the whispers—gives me a sense of pride, as it is truly my own creation. While some people collect things that might seem unusual to others, my interests have led me down a unique path. I’ve amassed memorabilia centered around forgotten crimes and athletes unlikely to ever be honored in the Hall of Fame. Despite their obscurity, these figures have earned a permanent place on what I call my Murder Shelf.
Alongside these, I also treasure one-of-a-kind cards personally crafted for me or autographed with my name. These occupy a place of distinction on my Personal Shelf, sitting right next to the Murder Shelf. Each shelf represents a different facet of my collecting journey—and together, they form a display that is both deeply personal and completely unique.
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True value isn’t always in what we own—it’s in what we understand.
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