I would argue that most collectables can be appreciated in some way that mirrors how you might appreciate artworks like paintings and sculptures. As such, I think it is entirely appropriate to consider collectables as part of an art collection.

What is a collectable?

A collectable is an object that is limited in number and typically relates to culture, such as fashion (e.g., handbags, sneakers), sport (e.g., team jerseys, trading cards, match balls), music (e.g., guitars), movies (e.g., posters, memorabilia), gaming (e.g., consoles and cartridges), animation/anime (e.g., comics, trading cards, figurines), and food (e.g., wine).

There are ‘collectable’ objects made by artists, such as skateboards and jewelry, and you might even want to throw prints into this category too, but investors will consider these as distinct from the collectables listed above because they are not the products of artists.

What are the most ‘art-like’ collectables?

I think it would have to be comics, fashion, and trading cards that resemble traditional art most closely. So, their inclusion in an art collection might feel right to some collectors.

I don’t think much of a case needs to be made for comic book’s relationship to art. Roy Liechtenstein famously adopted the style of comic books for his work, while Alex Katz, one of the most popular contemporary artists in the world right now, definitely has a stylistic affinity, whether on purpose or not.

The design of sports cards can be downright beautiful and alluring, producing an effect similar to some artwork. Throw in a graphic foil for a touch of flamboyance, and you have a very nice piece of ‘art’ that would look great on the wall. I would also say the same about some cartoon/ gaming trading cards, although I hold a preference for the artfulness of sporting cards.

Regarding fashion, I find it hard to separate what a fashion designer does and what a traditional artist does. This is especially true when it comes to the very high-end fashion houses that employ ‘artisans’ to construct fashion items. The skill and dedication that these workers employ can be of exceptionally high quality that exceeds the care the traditional artist even takes. It is for this reason that fashion collectables can fit very easily into an art collection. It might even pay to mention that Hermès Birkin Bag were recently outed as one of the best investments over the past 35 years.

How to Invest in Collectables?

There are a few online platforms that offer factional shares in collectables like comic books, trading cards and numerous other cultural assets. Public are one of the market leaders in this space and are my preference because they also offer access to high-quality artwork on the same platform. So you can fulfill your fix to invest in collectables and artwork at the same time.

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We welcome you to Contact Us with any questions you have about investing in art. Let us know your budget, the kinds of art that interest you, and we can work out a plan to get you started with art collecting the right way.