Once you start amassing objects, it's easy to get addicted to collecting.

Think of any object, and chances are that someone out in the world is interested in collecting it. From buttons and badges to comic books, cars and cameras, collectibles can exert an incredible hold on people, and once started, collections tend to take on lives of their own. So what does it take to be a truly successful collector?

Daniel Wolf is a collector of everything from flatware and photographs to Chinese pots to pre-Columbian artifacts. Wolf's aim with all categories is to amass the biggest collection in the world; he has even sold his photography collection to the Getty Museum. Here he offers tips to help people who want to get serious about collecting:

• See objects for value.
  To be a collector, says Wolf, you have to seek things out before the rest of the world thinks they are collectible or valuable. You have to know how to see an object for what it is out of context and not be prejudiced by what the prevailing cultural opinion is. In other words, you should always be one trend ahead of everyone else so you can buy things on the cheap and watch them rise in value as others catch on.
  
• Look for a good dealer.
  The first thing to look for is a good dealer. You'll want to do business with a dealer who is knowledgeable, honest, and who always has lots of great material for sale. Whether you're interested in antique glassware or pop culture toys, you'll want to be dealing with someone who knows a lot about the market and who can lay hands on the most desirable items.
  
• Eliminate middlemen.
  Seeking out the source of collectibles and eliminating as many middlemen as possible can end up saving you a lot of money. In Wolf's opinion, the best place to buy objects is wherever prices are lowest.
  
• Collecting can be habit-forming.
  Wolf is well aware that collecting can become an addiction, and his own stopping point is usually when there is nothing left to buy in a particular category of object. It's good to feel passionate about what you want to collect, but make sure you fully understand your financial limits, and the potential expense of a specific collection, so you can tell when you're doing well and when you're getting carried away.

For more information about collecting, check out the following organizations or websites:

Collecting Network
www.collectingnetwork.com

Collecting Channel.com
www.collectingchannel.com

Collecting Consciousness
www.shecollects.com

National Association of Collectors and the Association of Collecting Clubs
collectors.org

World Collectors Net
www.worldcollectorsnet.com

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