Estimate of number of American collectors of many collectibles
This is based on my personal experience attending shows plus research on the internet. A collector or dealer is someone who spends at least one thousand a year on their hobby..
1, Coins. 7 million.
2. Postage stamps, covers and letters 3 million
3. Postcards. 1 million
4, Toys. 1 million
5, Photos. 100,000
6. Military. 100,000
7. Vintage clothing. 100,000
8. Jewelry. 100,000
9. Pocket knives 20,000
10. Glassware and pottery. 20,000
5 comments
mopata
·10 months agoI think you're way high on stamps. This seems to be a dying hobby with very few serious collectors under 60. In fact, I find that people in their 20's through their 40's don't collect to to the extent that was the case in the past. If they do, it's things like action figures or video games so, the categories are very much shifting.
na_833338
·10 months agoComic book collectors don't make the top 10? Surprising to me, but I didn't do any research. Learned something new today.
john_wade
OP10 months agoI picked 10 categories. Comic book and baseball card collectors run in the millions but most don't spend more than $300 per year.
roccotacodad54
·10 months agoThat depends on the item(s) being collected or dealt.
I appreciate the art of Suiseki (stone arranging). I dabble in the art and occasionally purchase unusual stones I can't find myself. One of the people I have purchased from in the past picks up the very unusual stones he sells from a riverbed just yards from his home. He has very little except time invested let alone a thousand dollars.
I'm a collector of WWII bolt action rifles and accurements of. I spend less than $1,000 a year average because I'm picky and only find ones I'll buy every once in awhile. I may spend more than $2,000 on a single purchase but don't find an example I think is worth that for 3 or more years...................
melda58
·11 months agoCollectors and dealers are two different cohorts. A dealer may spend but hopes to sell and make a profit. A collector just spends. For many dealers it isn't a hobby but a way to earn a living.
However, interesting numbers you've come up with.
Rita