What is the collectors fun?

@Saarlooswolfhound - I always look for the CHARM of animal figurines , and ofcourse, if the animal anatomy and realistic details co-exist , it's double bonanza . But the accuracy is only secondary to my eyes .

Another fun , as a mad collector is that I never allow any one to touch my collections [ no exception to my close persons too ]

That COLLECTOR'S POSSESSIVENESS is one thing I absolutely enjoy

For me, it's the aniticiption factor, those months between when we find out what company is producing which particular figures, and the waiting for the pics to show up online, and then the waiting for the models to be available. The hunt. Searching through actual stores or finding the model online for a price we're willing to pay. Waiting for the package to arrive is agonizing, but in a good way. The thrill of it's arrival in the post when you're all like, "Ermegerd! It's here! It's here! It's here!" Opening it, finding the model, taking it out, cherishing, displaying, comparing, setting up diorama's. Comapring it to the real deal. I love all aspects of collecting. Oh! and finding really, really rare models. Either retired peices like Schleich, or just rare, rare spaecies. Some of my very favorite models are ones that you just don't see that often at all, such as my Yowies marsupial mole, my wolverines, my Schleich jackal ( Tabaqui, from The Jungle Book!! ) or my Kaiyodo Thylacine. I also love my Marx forest animals like my American mink. Ahhh I just love being a collector. and best of all, meeting other collectors like you all, my friends from the Netherlands and Germany, to good old Dr. Narayanan in India! We're a pretty cool lot!

You are right Gulogulo I forget to tell how much the dream time is important in my collector's life. The time I spend thinking about a model I still don't have, a rare to find one or an unknown, only seen one time and lost in the hunt. Those "Not yet" ones are a very important part of my collection indeed, maybe the most important When i had the chance to go to the shop as a young boy to buy a STARLUx, I always came back with the one I bought of course but also with the ones I let in the display in my mind.

Thanks Scott.
I like everyones lists, I never thought of a few before, and now there is even more anticipition!

I like realistic, well-manufactured models because they are educational and fascinating: they prompt me to pay attention to certain details of the anatomy of a given animal, and I enjoy making dioramas with my models. I love this because of all the research that goes behind it, the attention to details, etc.
It stimulates me to learn more about animals, the environment, ecosystems, evolution, etc.

There's also an aesthetic reason, though. For me, beautiful models are pleasant to look at, and I also enjoy feeling their weight and texture. (That's why I love "heavy" models in particular). I enjoy taking photos of them, too.

Last but not the least, although I am probably too old to "play" with them, I often grab a few figures and take them with me on a hike in the woods or mountains and when I find a nice natural setting, I ask myself how the real animal would interact with that environment, and place them accordingly - and then I just observe them and take pics with my camera and notes... I sort of make my own documentaries.

Worlds in Miniature wrote:

I like realistic, well-manufactured models because they are educational and fascinating: they prompt me to pay attention to certain details of the anatomy of a given animal, and I enjoy making dioramas with my models. I love this because of all the research that goes behind it, the attention to details, etc.
It stimulates me to learn more about animals, the environment, ecosystems, evolution, etc.

There's also an aesthetic reason, though. For me, beautiful models are pleasant to look at, and I also enjoy feeling their weight and texture. (That's why I love "heavy" models in particular). I enjoy taking photos of them, too.

Last but not the least, although I am probably too old to "play" with them, I often grab a few figures and take them with me on a hike in the woods or mountains and when I find a nice natural setting, I ask myself how the real animal would interact with that environment, and place them accordingly - and then I just observe them and take pics with my camera and notes... I sort of make my own documentaries.

BRILLIANT !!! Even I enjoy feeling the weight , texture , details and pleasant look of every model I get and I do enjoy making photos of them for my collection records .

After a while , I start comparing the photo and real model itself.

Another enjoyment is that I hold every model , observe and study their details as much as possible in closer and longer views . Wonder the sculptors creativity and dedication , compare the models with real animal images ........are n't we collectors really gifted in life ? (o)):

You all have many good reasons with which I agree

My favorite things...
Bringing back home my selected model(s).
Arranging my display.
Comparing them.
Studying them.
Adoring the work of art they actually are.
Comparing them with their nature rolemodels.
I even think of what they would be like, if they were real characters. What personality, and what stories there could be made out of them all interacting..... i might not be completely finished with kids roleplaying I grew up too fast!

I like the moment of hunting for the exact model, then- trying to catch it- esp the Ebay auction- ohhhh!- and then the very moment I get the parsel and unpack it. When you realise that it's yours at last, and the search is over
And I'm fond of taking the pics as well. Doing all the best to show the model's beauty and make someone else desiring it:)

I love the photography, crafting (rugs and halters etc. for horses) and the opening of a parcel!