Bob

Part of the answer for me is not the items themselves but the process of collecting - i.e. it's a great 'excuse' to travel and when I'm visiting museums I have a much more focused eye for certain things. With that travel (as well as the acquisition process) also comes getting to know and sometimes meeting people from all walks of life: business exec's, non-profit, politicians, security service, 'criminals', etc. - that's also fascinating.