I collect “no evil monkeys”, vintage Reyn Spooner Hawaiian shirts, books on Japanese gardens and gardening, and all manner of miniatures, religious and secular, for my Jungian sand tray room.

The whys are more difficult and would take more analysis than anyone here would be interested in, says the Jungian psychotherapist. ? (snooze emoji)

Pre-2000 books and magazines about dobermans.
There are a couple of "holy grails" I've yet to acquire.

I collect a bit of religious stuff from around the world: Buddha and Hindu mudras (statues) and yantras. I collect sound recordings of Hindu mantras also; I really enjoy them, some are really rockin'.

I love really old photos. When I go to antique stores, if they have a bunch of random photos in a basket for sale, that's where I spend most of my time. I am most intrigued by Victorian era death photography and have a few that I have found in my journeys. It is just fascinating that they used to pose them with their siblings or even the entire family. Back then, death was not perceived to be as morbid as it is today. In some photos, you can't even tell who is the dead one. Here's an example for people that may not be familiar with it. [bbc.com]

On a side note in relation to the above, there are now a few non-profit organizations where professional grade photographers volunteer their time to do 'remembrance photos' of infants that have passed for various medical reasons. Sometimes it is in done their last moments of life and filled with emotions. They are beautiful photos and bring comfort to the parents.

Sorry if I offended anyone.

My collection is odd. I collect old iron. Mostly very old hand forged iron like odd hand tools or logging and farming parts and pieces.... lots of old rusty stuff. Some small peices that you could lay in your hand and others that weigh hundreds of pounds. Some of it gets hung up for decoration to remind people of where we came from. One of the many hats (or skills) that I enjoy is fabrication and welding. So sometimes i will repurpose some of my old iron by welding pieces together so that they may once provide a function, while also looking beautiful and interesting. One of my creative outlets that I allow myself.

Apothecary items...morter and pestles, small glass distillery, bottles and jars
And bats...

@graceylou You mentioned dolls and I remembered that I have a set of doll eyes that I got from my mom's house when we settled her estate. She had several old dolls that were distributed throughout the family but these eyes were separate. I keep them on one stone column bases in my great room. They tend to freak people out and its a great conversation piece!

A couple of TR6 s that I have restored. And lots of spare parts

I collect fossils, old occult objects, crescent moons, crystals, spiral objects, goddesses, lots of odd stuff.
It seemed like I was collecting horses, but I am finally down to one, although, I co own a horse with my daughter. Horses are very expensive to collect, so I had to stop.

and if you bury a statue of St Francis by your front door upside down you are supposed to sell it faster. I would like to collect more old and odd things than I do

I collect dust. I don't even have to go out to find it. Dust just shows up.

I collect first edition books, mostly poetry.

I collect Madonna and child art...all sorts...I have no idea why....