Help! The curse of completism!

[hector]

As I look forward to the next releases from the fantastic RHD I have once again succumbed to curse of completism.
For those unaware of this condition it takes two main forms - ‘collectus completism’ – where the collector must have every piece made at any cost and ‘characterus completism’ –where the collector must have every character made.

Thankfully for my bank balance I suffer from the lesser form ‘characterus completism’. It all began when I started collecting The Herbs from Sugarlump Studios. As my collection grew I began to realise that I would never be able to get some of the characters like Lady Rosemary and Belladonna, as sadly they would never be made. Even to this day I can’t look at my collection without part of me wishing for the unmade figures.

Initially collecting the smaller collections of RHD helped my condition with all the Wombles produced, an excellent selection from Roald Dahl (including all ticket winners from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and a full cast list from Bagpuss (although I never collected the individual mice as I was always waiting for all six to be made) but then the Clangers happened.
The wonderful Clangers pieces were always my favourite and as the collection grew I felt certain there would be an Uncle Clanger. How could there be an Aunty without and Uncle? Unfortunately the collection ended and ‘characterus completism’ started all over again.

So now I need help from fellow forum members.
How can I get over the condition to enjoy the delights of RHD?
Am I alone in suffering? Are there other collectors who just collect one piece of each character (e.g Mr.Benn and Paddington)? Could a help group be set up?
Is there something the doctor could prescribe?
With what looks like an amazing Willo the Wisp collection on its way, how can I stop myself from hoping that as well as Willo, Edna, Mavis and Arthur that the Moog, Carwash, Beast and Twit are produced, quickly followed by Bookworm, the astrognats, woodworm and gnomes, then shortly after that Dragon, Prince, Snail, etc, etc until every minor character who was on screen for a few seconds has been made?

I know that this can never happen and my condition of ‘characterus completism’ is in no way a criticism of the wonderful work done by the people at RHD but some questions remain unanswered.

How did the CG collectors manage to get every character? Do they have some compromising pictures of Dan or Cinta involving roobarb and custard?

Who was the scarecrow in the Magic Roundabout collection and why no Paul, Basil and Rosalie? Was this a government plot?

With Beano fans asked for their thoughts on there next pieces could this extend to the smaller collections?

Any help fellow collectors can give me to cure 'characterus completism’ would be greatly appreciated.

[Linda Lovelace]

I have the same condition, but financial restraints stop me from completing my collections, as with CG Green flag, The Foreman, magnum opus still out of reach :(

I can give no advise hector, for I am beyond help, the special jacket is already in the post my hubby informs me ;)

I am dreading the new collectors catalogue arriving on my doorstep, because I know I am going to love the Willo The Wisp collection, and will not be able to stop myself racing off to the new stockist I've found to put in an order :D

Will power, does anybody know where I can buy it, I have no local stockist........ I wont pay a lot for it mind you, the blue and white striped variety is all i can afford, I have to save all my pennies for new collections RHD keep bringing out.

[KeithP]

I must admit to be a completist in regards to my collection, I think it could be regarded as a mild form of OCD.

As a CG collector, we don't generally have a problem (unless you have only started collecting more recently) as there are few pieces which have been produced in small enough numbers to have been difficult to buy through normal means. I have ordered every item as it has been issued and it has never been a problem. The only time I got caught out was when one particular piece was changed and only 130 of the amended item were produced. As I wasn't a member of the forum at the time, by the time I knew it existed then the only option was expensive.

I hope the CG collection continues being produced in quantities that means all the genuine collectors can get the pieces they want at original RRP rather than producing a market that benefits the resellers.

As far as helping with your problem, I am afraid there is no available treatment for this condition :(

[Bullie Queen Cleo]

Well Hector reading your thread and the other post it kind me made me look at how a tad obsessed we must be over of the years. Hubby and myself have been collectors of various things over the years and like you i love the Clangers. I was just fortunate enough to complete having the moonbase and the individual clangers of the Sugarlump Studios collection before they finished producing them. I did have a little trouble mind getting the last clanger which i think was Tiny, but lucky enough i completed it phew!!!!!. We now mainly concentrate on the RH Doggie people Bullies, Frenchies and the Historic Bulldogs. I daren't even think about starting another collection now as a lot of our other collections have ended up in the loft. Maybe if we ever have Grandchildren i am quite partial to the Mr Benn collection ;)