We’ve spoken in the past about the safe storage of your collection.

But what about when you want to show it off.

What’s the point of owning John Lennon’s signature or a beautiful Penny Red if no-one ever sees it?

A beautiful, unique item locked up in a safe is one that’s safe, but essentially lost to the world.

So how do you make the most of your collection in a visual sense?

Here we’ll show you how to safely, securely show off the fruits of your collecting passion.

Safety first

Collectibles need to be stored appropriately.

To summarize everything we’ve previously said on the subject.

This Picasso sketch needs to be carefully looked after to look its best. You can buy it by clicking through. 

Water, extreme heat and extreme cold, and direct sunlight are your main enemies for most collectibles.

Any storage or display solution for your collectibles needs to take that into account.

“Archival”, “Acid-free” and “UV protective” are terms you should look for when you look at frames and cases.

It’s a good idea to buy these items from specialists with knowledge of the items you want to display.

Security is another concern.

If your collection is so valuable that it might attract specialist thieves then you should take appropriate advice on securing it.

But most property crime is opportunistic and borne of desperation as much as planning.

A few simple barriers are enough to deter it.

If your most precious item is visible and can be easily grabbed through an open window then you are inviting trouble.

Unmistakably Ali - with a signature twist - and a wonderful display piece. Click on it to buy it.

A lot of thieves will be put off by as little as a pane of glass and a lockable door on a cabinet.

And general precautions to keep your home safe and good insurance cover are enough for most collectors.

Collecting to show off, or showing off your collection

We know that there are interior designers who buy pieces specifically for their aesthetic appeal.

But for most collectors, the item itself is the starting point.

However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying things that you think are attractive and worth showing off.

And building a whole collection that way.

You will also need to consider the extent to which you have a blank canvas on which to operate.

Are you going to redecorate or rearrange a space around your collection.

Or are you putting up a few pieces where you can?

Collectibles as art

Many collectibles can be framed: documents, signatures, pictures, sports shirts.

Even some more three-dimensional objects - a tennis racket or baseball bat for example - can be displayed on a wall in this way.

A few can be shown as freestanding items.

They may need to be put case for security or safety.

This set of Beatles signatures with stand-in Jimmie Nicol is rare and valuable, and it's also extremely attractive. 

Pay attention to framing, both as a means of preserving your collection, and presenting it at its best.

Many collectibles reward close attention and need to be framed against contrasting colours and well lit to show off those details.

Displaying your collection: the rules

These rules are taken from a set of instructions for hanging paintings.

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider your framed collectibles in this way.

1 - Size

When you hang an item or set of items over furniture the ideal size for those items is two-thirds of the width of the furniture.

They should never be wider than the furniture, but putting up items under two-thirds in width makes them look insignificant.

2. Space

And, give a clearance of at least 15cm above furniture when hanging.

3. Space your frames

Spacing is proportional. Larger items should be spaced more widely. Allow at least 5cm between any two items though.

4. Composition

If you’re hanging a number of items together, do a mock up of their composition before you start. You can use dummies of the right size and shape on a wall, or just lay out your pieces on the floor.

How you arrange things is of course up to you, but larger items are usually best used as a central focal point in a mixed-size group. Set them up first and then build around them with smaller items.

5. Composition in space

Use your space as a guide to how you should hang items.

Eye-level is a good height (that’s around 160cm) for most items.

Smaller spaces really you to allow more space between items rather than the opposite, which will quickly look cluttered and enclosing.

Echo the shapes of furniture you are hanging above rather than contrasting portrait to landscape shapes.

6. Good workmanship

Check every level with a spirit level - your phone probably has an app.

And don’t forget your safety and security rules, which include good quality fastenings that are appropriate to the weight of the item.

7. In all lights

With strong natural daylight an issue for many items a lot of collectibles will require artificial lighting to look their best.

Don’t light directly at an item though as you’ll just get reflections.

Documents can be extremely good-looking and colourful, plus something like this Abraham Lincoln-signed piece will always spark conversation. 

7. Colours and themes

If you want your collection to sit well in its home you need to pay some attention to harmony, both of colour and of theme.

Bring colours that work together (use a colour wheel to see how to do that), and it makes sense to theme your hanging too.

Buying collectibles for decoration

We are the world’s largest rare collectibles dealer.

We have a huge variety of items across many specialisms.

If you’re looking for pieces with visual appeal you’ll find a few ideas here.

And if you’d like the latest collectibles news and you’d like to know when we get new items in (we sell a lot of items directly before they can be listed on the site) then you need to sign up for our newsletter. It’ll only take a second and you’ll never miss out again.