to ask whether collecting anything is pointless?

My collections are a bit niche (typewriters, model horses, fountain pens, specific but unrelated Barbie sized dolls from different makers & shows and an accidental teapot collection) but give me ridiculous amounts of joy on a daily basis. So yes, absolutely outweigh any possibility of them ending up as junk.

If you enjoy it, why not? Perhaps think about what should happen to any collection as part of making a will.

The Internet changed collecting forever - no longer about the hunt, slow acquisition and rarities. Suddenly it became easy and cheap to acquire just about anything in massive quantities.

Many collectors don't trade up either, so instead of collecting cheaper stuff and then selling it on to generate the ability to buy a few upgraded, better examples, they just keep buying more of the cheap stuff.

Overall, I think the majority of collecting has had its day, and it was just a late twentieth century cultural practice.

I collect a particular book series. I read them so for me the pleasure is worth it, yes.

My Mum has a few collections that no longer give her pleasure so she's started to get rid by herself.

DH collects a particular thing that neds making and requires artistic ability. He gets hours of pleasure from that.

It's just a bit sad but I'm trying to work out as says whether individual pleasure in the collection is worth it.

Well if it gives someone pleasure then surely it’s worth it? I feel like you’ve pretty much answered the question for yourself.

Collecting in general is a very human behaviour. Since we've had things we've probably had collecting.
Most actions we undertake are by their nature pointless in the grand scheme of things so it seems funny to single out collecting 😂
I have a small collection of vinyl records.

I think collecting blunt pencils is a pointless activity.

(I don't really know why I do it, just drawn to it I suppose) 🤷‍♀️

It's just a bit sad but I'm trying to work out whether individual pleasure in the collection is worth it.

Why would it not be ‘worth it’, even if only for individual pleasure, though? Not saying you think it isn’t, but what arguments could be put forwards against that being the only necessary justification? What does ‘worth it’ mean, in this context?

No one is going to want any of that when you die, unless it's very expensive or noteworthy, which for most people it isn't, and someone still spends time and money over them, especially if they are into home decor.

Anyone of you watch these antique auction tv shows? Seems like you can never know what the value of things might be in the future

But you're picking out exceptional examples of aesthetic 'stuff'. So if not a well-known painting, then simple prints in Ikea frames used for home decoration. There are hundreds of home decor items that are not collections bit serve no practical purpose and that also aren't valuable enough to be treasured or passed out on sold – vases, candles, artificial flowers, decorative pots, knick knacks for shelves, souvenir magnets, And there are even more examples in things that are barely practical, in that people probably just buy them because they 'look nice' and they have a space to fill, like decorative book ends, lamp shades, clocks, soap dishes, place mats, coasters, cushions, mirrors.

No one is going to want any of that when you die, unless it's very expensive or noteworthy, which for most people it isn't, and someone still spends time and money over them, especially if they are into home decor.

In my opinion, you collect certain things because they give you pleasure. As for value - hell knows. You may have original art worth nothing or a piece of junk that turns out to be a highly prized possession.

Doesn’t everything own end up in landfill or too worn out/broken to be passed on? Why is this unique to collections? You could argue to never buy anything for aesthetic pleasure for that reason – a painting, jewellery, throw cushions, a set of fancy crystal glasses, garden ornaments, etc.

For me, collecting a particular type of old book gives me immense pleasure. I love the books themselves, and the cultural knowledge they represent. Most of them have been picked up fairly cheaply, because the subject is really niche, but over the years I’ll have spent quite a bit on the collection in total. It’s possible that a library might want them after I die, or maybe not. But I love having them, and reading them, and just picking them up and thinking about the people who owned them before me. Also, by collecting them now, I’m giving them a chance of surviving a bit longer. They’re safe and well treated at least for as long as I’m around.

So, all in all, it’s definitely worth it for me. Once I’m dead, either someone else will appreciate the collection, which is great, or it’ll just be junk - and that’s okay too. I don’t feel sad that others have different tastes and appreciations. I’d feel really sad if I thought anyone in my family would feel obligated to keep the books, though.