What His Collection Says About Him

Baseball Cards

By Natasha Burton

Since Americans maintain a connection with their youth well into middle age, "it's becoming acceptable for men to continue to collect (and dress) like boys," Dilworth says. Collecting baseball cards is "definitely a boy's occupation, but above age 25, [a man] starts to resemble the comic book guy in The Simpsons," she says. We say, at least they aren't Magic Cards.

Stamps

Don't be so quick to discard those yellowing stamp books. This kind of collection "has a long history and is completely acceptable for boys and men," Dilworth notes. "At the turn of the 21st century, it looks like stamps (as well as books) will soon become relics of the past, which may actually increase their cultural value."

Sports Memorabilia

Dilworth says this type of collection is more acceptable for grown men, but asks, "When does fandom become obsession?" We say that if your guy insists on plastering the living room with posters, pennants and framed jerseys of his favorite team, you (and your home decor dreams) may be in trouble. Best to get him a mancave to properly "showcase" this collection (i.e. keep it out of sight.)

Keychains

We had a keychain collection of our own — in the 4th grade. “Beyond childhood, [this type of collection] seems to indicate low social status, says Dilworth. "[Keychains] are inexpensive and their cultural value is very small. At some point, men [are] expected to leave childhood collections behind. If they must collect, it's more acceptable to collect items of great value: art, gemstones, coins, books.”

Tools

A guy with this kind of collection has patience and pays attention to detail, which we greatly admire. “Hand tools represent an appreciation of craft," says Dilworth — and we appreciate a man who can sweat over a sawhorse and build things with his own two hands.

Bottle Caps

"Personally, I'm attracted to people who appreciate the beauty of cast-off things," Dilworth says. There's a big difference between being a pack-rat — or keeping what many consider trash laying around out of sheer laziness — and using these items in a creative way.

Cookie Fortunes

Like bottle caps, saving fortunes can indicate a reverence for items that most people usually discard, Dilworth says. Whether a guy displays them on his fridge or keeps them in a box, kept fortunes can be sweet. Guys, if you want to woo your lady, perhaps give her a saved prediction reading something like "You will be lucky in love" — indicating that she made it come true. Major points.

Garden Gnomes

A man with a trove of gnomes, Troll dolls, Furbies or the like may seem a little, well, odd. Though, he may just have a quirky sense of humor. "If the man who collects any of these items has been to art school, he collects them ironically, possibly for future use in an art project," says Dilworth.

Women's Panties

This collection "gets into Silence of the Lambs territory." Dilworth says. "At some point, collecting can turn into obsession." We're not saying a guy who stockpiles panties belongs behind bars, but we will say this: Run.

SHOP NOW: Acts of Possession: Collecting in America edited by Leah Dilworth, $29