My Favorite Collectibles: Jules’ Top 5

Meet Jules, co-founder of TOKI and the Lego enthusiast steering our Lego category. Since childhood, Jules has amassed a whopping 750+ Lego items, ranging from sets to minifigs. His collection is not limited to Lego; he also dabbles in mechanical keyboards, vintage gaming consoles, and nostalgically cherishes two binders of holographic Pokémon cards that seem to have vanished into the abyss.

Jules’ journey into collecting started with toys gifted on birthdays – including Pokemon cards. As a 9-year-old, the realization of their value struck him when introduced to a Beckett magazine in the year 2000. Although he briefly moved on from Pokémon, the post-university phase reignited his passion for collecting, creating a collecting spree that has not waned since.

His earliest collectible memory? The Lego Ice Tunnelator from 1993, the parts of which he keeps somewhere in the depths of his collection.

Now, let us explore Jules’ top 5 favorite collectibles and the stories behind them:

1. Grid 650 w/ Flash Module, Shogoki Switches and GMK Mecha-01 Keycaps:

An ode to the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime, this keyboard symbolizes one Jules’ favorite animes. What makes it even more valuable in Jules’s eyes is just the sheer amount of time invested into making this, having to go through over 3 group buys and 2 years of waiting for all the parts to arrive. It was all worth it though, since with each arrival he always felt a thrill in opening each package.

2. Lego Ideas Wall-E, Set 21303:

As a fan of Pixar’s Wall-E, Jules was ecstatic to have snagged this set from a reseller in LA within a mere five minutes of its listing. One thing that makes this one of his favorites is how accurately the set designer, Angus Maclane, was able to capture the charm of Wall-E’s character. The steal price made it even more memorable, proving that quick decisions sometimes lead to the best acquisitions.

3. Setlist from The National’s Concert at Cafe de la Danse (April 15, 2019):

A passionate fan of The National, Jules managed to attend a secret concert in Paris back in 2019, where he was lucky enough to have been able to grab the setlist from the stage. Getting access to the concert was a struggle, but thanks to the band’s active fan community, Jules was able to secure tickets and get himself to the front of the crowd. This unique piece became even more memorable as it coincided with the tragic Notre Dame Cathedral fire.

4. Harley Quinn – Apocalypseburg (tlm134):

When Jules purchased the LEGO Welcome to Apocalypseburg set, little did he know the value the minifigure Harley Quinn would accrue. Another thing that makes this piece a favorite is its unique, slightly controversial, torso printing, which is rare for a normally family-friendly brand like LEGO. The minifigure alone now matches the entire set’s original retail price.

5. Boy Advance SP AGS-101:

From his first Game Boy in 1997 to this day, Nintendo games have been a constant in Jules’s life. Recently acquiring the backlit Game Boy Advance SP AGS-101, he finds joy in playing Metroid Fusion or Pokémon Emerald anywhere.

In a dream scenario where money is no obstacle, Jules’s ultimate collectible would be the 2013 Andrew Garfield Spider-Man – San Diego Comic-Con 2013 Exclusive, a Holy Grail of Lego minifigure collecting with only around 300 worldwide.

If not immersed in his current collection, Jules would channel his passion and capital into collecting and possibly reselling specific brands of luxury watches and whiskey.

For budding collectors, Jules offers a valuable tip: “Collecting is more fun in the context of a community—especially when you are a beginner. Seek guidance from seasoned collectors; they will help you navigate everything, from worthwhile buys to fair market prices!” Join Jules and a whole host of passionate collectors like him on Toki!