Jacob did make some of his purchases based on the combined factors of appearance and rarity . He would buy something that might have a small defect on the back of the card or packaging if the front looked great and it was a rare piece . However , if an item was in poor condition , he wouldn ’ t buy it , choosing instead to patiently wait for a better quality example .
“ The best word to describe Jeff ’ s collection is ‘ meticulous .’ Many would consider Jeff ’ s dedication to assembling one of the most complete collections as second to none . While the never-ending search to add another missing piece to one ’ s collection is its own reward ( as is certainly the case for most collectors ), finding high grade examples for some of these character and card-back combinations borders on impossible ,” Action Figure Grader host John Rula said .
“ Jeff ’ s collection includes many of the highest graded examples in the world . From my own experience on a much smaller scale , the process of finding these pieces can be rewarding but also exhausting . Jeff has been tireless for decades in his quest to locate many of these items . The sheer willpower to assemble this collection speaks volumes as to Jeff ’ s love for these vintage toy lines . Jeff ’ s collection represents a thoughtful curation of toy history . His unwillingness to settle for less than the best of the best really shines through when you see the artfully assembled pieces in his collection ,” Rula continued .
“ You know , it ’ s like a lifetime of treasure hunting . And when I say treasure , it ’ s not the monetary value to it ,” Jacob said . “ It ’ s about how I finally found this piece after 15 years . To me it ’ s a treasure , to anybody else , they may just look at it as a piece of cardboard , right ? For me , I ’ ve grown to just love Star Wars items even more as an adult .”
Given the scope and quality of his collection , Jacob was determined to display it in the best way possible . He started working as a carpenter when he was just 18 years old , giving him the skills to build his own custom display . Then each time he built a new house , he would build bigger and bigger displays .
“ If you ’ re going to spend the money on your collection , you need to spend the money on a great display ,” Jacob said . “ Some guys just don ’ t have the space , so I understand . But if you ’ ve got the space , utilize a great display and that ’ s one thing that I ’ ve always believed in is presentation is everything .”
Connecting with fellow collectors is also an aspect of collecting that Jacob has appreciated . He still attends toy shows where he talks to others who love the same things he does . They show off photos of their collections and tell each other stories about how they found a prized item .
“ The most over the top part of collecting for me is all that connectivity from everybody I ’ ve met over the years and the conversations that you constantly have and it ’ s just if you ’ re a collector , you ’ re a collector . If you ’ re not , you ’ re not , right ? So , when you meet other collectors , you know you ’ re just in the same room with the same likeminded people . It ’ s just a fun , fun part of the hobby ,” Jacob said .