The art of collecting feels like an act of human nature, the satisfaction of finding and keeping things from stamps to My Little Ponies. Hoarding gets a lot of press these days but this is not a celebration of people getting buried under tins of cat food and hairnets. It’s about pretty things displayed nicely.
San Francisco-based artist Lisa Congdon displayed a collection a day for the whole of 2010. It’s a vast, inspiring lot of gems which, because she’s nice, is still online in full.
Day 180: Twigs from the desert
Day 180: Twigs from the desert Photography by Lisa Congdon from A Collection a Day
Day 260: Dolls hands
Day 260: Dolls hands Photography by Lisa Congdon from A Collection a Day
Day 281: Chopsticks
Day 281: Chopsticks Photography by Lisa Congdon from A Collection a Day
Day 317: Crayons
Day 317: Crayons Photography by Lisa Congdon from A Collection a Day
Day 345: Leaves
Day 345: Leaves Photography by Lisa Congdon from A Collection a Day

There are many fusty, item specific collection sites but two more modern interpretations of collections, in general, are The Typology andObsessionistas. Interviews with enthusiasts and nice pictures too.
Lock Collection by Jim Golden
Lock Collection by Jim Golden Photography by Jim Golden, found on Obsessionistas
Dice Collection by Mia Monterisi
Dice Collection by Mia Monterisi © Mia Monterisi, found on Obsessionistas
Deely Boppers, collected by Graham Powell
Deely Boppers, collected by Graham Powell Photography by Graham Powell, found on Obsessionistas
The Innards of Chocolates
The Innards of Chocolates Photography by Lichelle Jenkins, found via The Typologist
Death Valley Hills & Mountains
Death Valley Hills & Mountains Photography by Jordan Sullivan, found via The Typologist
The Typology of Tea
The Typology of Tea Photography by Richard Besenczi, found via The Typologist
Sabine Timm has one of the most delightful flickr streams of her finds and arrangements. Some are simply places on a tabletop whilst others are composed into witty scenarios. It’s charming, colourful and joyous.
Don't shoot Mickey Mouse
Don't shoot Mickey Mouse © Sabine Timm, found on https://www.flickr.com/photos/25179368@N06/
River Finds
River Finds © Sabine Timm, found on https://www.flickr.com/photos/25179368@N06/
Hieroglyphs
Hieroglyphs © Sabine Timm, found on https://www.flickr.com/photos/25179368@N06/
Bread Skyline
Bread Skyline © Sabine Timm, found on https://www.flickr.com/photos/25179368@N06/
Sorted
Sorted © Sabine Timm, found on https://www.flickr.com/photos/25179368@N06/
All Things Edible
All Things Edible © Sabine Timm, found on https://www.flickr.com/photos/25179368@N06/
Present & Correct is a design blog and stationery store in London founded by graphic designers Neal Whittington and Mark Smith.
http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/3569/The_Art_of_Collecting