Serpentorslair’s ‘Inside Toy Collecting’ with Ruben Soriano!
Today we have an exclusive interview with widely known toy collector, Ruben Soriano. We will discuss his passion for the hobby as well as take an exclusive look at his personal Displays. Check out the full interview below, then sound off with your thoughts after the JUMP!
Serpentorslair
lets role with question 1
When you were a kid, did you have a large toy collection?Ruben Soriano
It was a nice medium collection … I had a little bit of everything .. But mainly gi joesSerpentorslair
Was G.I.Joe your favorite toy line back then or just the one you had the most of?Ruben Soriano
I can say it was my favorite .. It was such a great line so many playsets and vehicles to choose from .. Great articulationSerpentorslair
When do you feel that you ‘outgrew’ collecting toys, or did you ever feel that way?Ruben Soriano
Yes I was stupid and got rid of everything when I hit middle school .. It was the worst decision I ever made
And it was all given away for freeSerpentorslair
Wow, that sounds painfulRuben Soriano
It wasSerpentorslair
I know for me, the only time i really only stopped collecting action figures in High School and picked back up in 1997 when the Star Wars Power of The Force figures came out. When did you pick back up collecting toys?Ruben Soriano
I started off with potf2
But when the 25th line came out I started strong on joes
Both modern and vintageSerpentorslair
So you did not get involved in collecting G.I.Joe from 1997 through the end of the VvV era?Ruben Soriano
Some … Not everything bought like the reissue locust and cobra mountain
I went straight for 82-87 it was my missionSerpentorslair
When the G.I.Joe 25th Anniversary Line started in 2007 did you think that you would focus primarily on G.I.Joe going forward, or did you build a collection of multiple lines?Ruben Soriano
I was mainly focused on joes .. And marvel legendsSerpentorslair
So if i am doing the math correctly you have been focusing on building your G.I.Joe Collection for close to 8 years now. How close are you to having a complete vintage collection of all items released in America?Ruben Soriano
I actually only wanted 83-87 complete .. And I am only missing one item the Sears dreadnock copter … I have dwelled into further years but it’s not a mission to have them all from following years .. If I find them at a good deal then I will pick them upSerpentorslair
Is 1987 the year you stopped collecting when you were a kid?Ruben Soriano
No .. But they are the years that I remember the toys the best and close to the time when I have everything away
It was a nostalgic thing .. Mainly at first
And I am proud to say my mission is but a vehicle away from completionSerpentorslair
So would you say that a lot of the hobby has been nostalgia driven for you?Ruben Soriano
Yes that’s why I am into vintage in a big way … I can say I have almost my fill vintage you wise in every I have ever wanted
Vintage wise ^
In every toy line I have ever wanted *Serpentorslair
Before we head in to discussing Modern Era Figures. What would you say is your favorite item, and which item would you say was the most difficult to come by from the vintage side of your collection?Ruben Soriano
My grail was the defiant .. It took me longest to acquire I got a decent price for it 500 bucks complete with figures but it was almost the last thing I picked up … And my favorite item is between the killer shark and rc crossfire .. I have 7 of those complete and in working order lolSerpentorslair
Both fantastic pieces.
In 2007 Were you grabbing a lot of Modern Era G.I.Joe’s at the same time you were building your vintage collection?Ruben Soriano
I was doing both I was out of control .. What helped was Walmart had lay away at the time the 25th came out .. So that helped a lotSerpentorslair
It looks like you have a lot of ‘armies’ in your display photos. Clearly you like to do what is called, ‘army building’ in the hobby. What is your optimum number of figures for a particular ‘army’, and does your level of love for a particular character affect that number?Ruben Soriano
Mainly cobra army builders .. I think I have 50 blue 25th cobra troopersSerpentorslair
So when it comes to Modern Era G.I.Joe Figures, 25th Anniversary through 50th Anniversary are you planning on Completing the full run?Ruben Soriano
No … There is some figures that I just didn’t need especially repaints .. But knowing my ocd if I find them on the cheap I will pick up anything I am missingSerpentorslair
Do you subscribe to the G.I.Joe FSS each time, and if so do you normally get one or multiple subscriptions?Ruben Soriano
I am .. But I just get one of each unless there army builders I do have 3 desert scorpions and a few of the nano batsSerpentorslair
Let me ask you a few questions about the personal side of Toy Collecting
First, your wife, what are her thoughts on the hobby in general, and how does she feel about the size and scope of your personal collection?Ruben Soriano
Actually it’s a funny story .. She was the first person to buy toys for me when got married .. I was into collection electric guitars and bass guitars .. She is cool with my collecting and keeps on a budget of 200 a month lol
I’m a lucky guySerpentorslair
I kind of fall into the same category, My wife bought my first Joes as an adult back in 1997, although sometimes I am sure she regrets that move….lolRuben Soriano
Ha yeah mine does too but it keeps me grounded and home I could be doing worse thing with my time and moneySerpentorslair
It must be quite a task to maintain a collection the size of yours. How often do you reset things and or have to do a massive dusting?Ruben Soriano
Never dust ha ha ha but it’s a pain with I get new things and have to rearrange and implement new items into the foldSerpentorslair
So you would say you prefer to do more of a ‘set it and forget it’ approach rather than setting up new individual dioramas frequently?Ruben Soriano
Yeah it’s a set it and forget it .. I don’t have space for dioramas anymore
I try to keep everything together “Toy line wise” but even that it getting hard to doSerpentorslair
As we wrap up, let me ask you this
Have you though about what will happen to your collection if you pass or decide you want to do something different? Do you plan on willing it to your children, or have you thought that far in advance?Ruben Soriano
They are all going to my three children .. I have no plans on selling anything everSerpentorslair
That is pretty amazing. Do they take part now?Ruben Soriano
They all like them but respect that they are mine for now lol … They love to view but they don’t touchSerpentorslair
That is great stuff.Serpentorslair
One last question, What do you think is the value of the internet, Facebook, Toy Forums, etc to the hobby of toy collecting?Ruben Soriano
It’s a big part for me .. I have met many great people .. Through the years trading and such from many countries and different states .. I met some many good people this year at joecon that I have traded with on forums and fb .. I can say it’s a big part of the hobby for meSerpentorslair
Well thank you for the time to do the interview!
