What is the appeal of Replica Prop Collecting?

Solos blaster said:

I've explained it to people this way, "Have you ever seen a movie that some object or item, doodad, weapon or other just stood out to you that you were like, "Man that is so cool!" Now, what would you say if I told you could own one that looked like it?" Sometimes I've gotten lost explaining the history of or where the unconverted item came from and even with my excitement, they still seem kind of lost.

I've found that it seems easier to explain and they understand better when you relate it to something they may have enjoyed seeing in a movie. In any case, most people react with a "Wow, that's cool" than looking at you like a weirdo when you just go into details about specific items lol.

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cayman shen said:

What's the appeal/point of collecting anything? I have so many books that I'm out of horizontal spots to put them, but damned if I'll ever get rid of more than the occasional volume here and there, reluctantly. I'll never re-read most of them. I loathe clutter. But still, there they are. And I'd die before switching to ebooks. I'd sooner take up kitten punching than read on a computer.

Which is to say there's no real rhyme or reason to what objects a person decides to surround themselves with and derives pleasure from. At least it provides decoration, a personal expression of your interests.

The heart wants what it wants.

EDIT: A lot of people talk about "the chase." I have some rare and valuable books, and some have taken some work to track down. But the pleasure for me is in the owning, not the chase. Having said that, as I at least READ the books, they offer a little more than being a simple "object." So I might not be in the same place as the dude who endlessly scours ebay or waits outside Toys R Us for the latest action fig. The collection, at least initially, is "useful" in that it provides entertainment, information, or instruction.

EDIT EDIT: I never answered the question I guess. I also love "movie magic" and am a nostalgia junkie. Furthermore, I like making things. So lightsabers and so forth feed that. Often once I've made a prop I'll simply turn around and sell it though. I don't have many laying about.

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Wes R said:

I don't think there is really an appeal, it's just the quest for having things you enjoy looking at and that make you happy. For some folks it helps them relive happier times, such as for me it's collecting video games and 80s memorabilia, and for others it's a link for them to their favorite movies. Humans have always had this built in urge to collect even if it was just shiny stones they found or later on art. For some folks the pure materialism may make them happy as some of the high end items require you to have done very well in life or made a lot of sacrifices to get the item so that alone makes the item a sign of achievement. For some folks it's a challenge such as making a screen accurate saber from original parts. For some there's the addictive part of it, one part that I tend to have personal issues with over the years, where you can't stop collecting no matter what.
There's just as many reasons we collect as there are people I think, every reason is a slight variation on what other reasons folks have.

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