For many decades I collected Phantom comics including every Phantom issue that came out with a plastic cover. I kept at least one copy of every plastic cover of The Phantom without ever opening the cover to read the comic. The first Phantom comic that I ever bought with the plastic cover that was put away, I have been reliably told would now fetch around AU$1200. I had everyone from the issue right the way through – together with a lot of comics I had read.

Several years ago at the age of about 74, I decided that these were best sent to one of my children. Phantom and I parted company.

For many years I had a collection of stuffed toys that grew in number to about 120. Include it was a wonderful spider multicoloured, that used to sing “My Friend the Witchdoctor“. All of them had unique characteristics. I used to use them for all sorts of purposes including as props for storytelling when I was at work.

It got to the point where something needed to happen. So when I retired, I gave them to a children’s charity. I’m sure they brought and may still be bringing great joy to others.

For me, it suffices that I have happy memories of both those collections – which I grew out of as I aged to become what I am now – a very old man.