Behind every collector's obsession is a story. On "For Keeps," the world's most passionate enthusiasts share surprising tales about their personal collections — and their unbreakable connections with them.
93 Available Episodes (93 Total)Average duration: 00:34:03
Apr 24, 2023
93. The Three Stooges Collection of Gary Lassin, Stoogeum Curator
00:39:34
Gary Lassin isn't just the president of the Three Stooges Fan Club — he's also the founder of the Stoogeum, a museum in suburban Philadelphia that's dedicated entirely to the iconic comedy trio and spotlights many of the roughly 100,000 items in his personal collection of "Stooge-abilia."
Additional music by Tuba Skinny ("Proximity Effect" by Craig Flory; "Last Minute Waltz" by Max Bien-Kahn; "Elysian Fields" by Shaye Cohn; "Magnolia Stroll" by Max Bien-Kahn)
The 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic has long fascinated avid collector Mark Zaid, whose Titanic trove includes an impressive array of vintage postcards, books, movie memorabilia, and rare historical documents related to the disaster — as well as medals given to rescuers.
Nathan Shedroff's fascination with the Concorde — the supersonic passenger plane that blended speed with style — has led the college professor to collect everything from complete place settings from its in-flight meal service to gift items that celebrate the legendary aircraft's innovation and grace.
90. The Woodstock Stage, Uncovered and Upcycled by Steve Gold
00:35:24
As a teenager, Steve Gold attended 1969's star-studded, mud-covered Woodstock music festival, but it wasn't until nearly 50 years later that a hazy memory inspired him to track down and collect the wood panels from the concert stage — and create new memorabilia from the reclaimed plywood through his company, Peace of Stage.
In the late 1990s, Australian wine purveyor and collector John Baker pursued the adventure of a lifetime — the chance to purchase an incredible collection of wines that Joseph Stalin had hidden in the former Soviet republic of Georgia during World War II, to shield it from the advancing Nazi army. John shares his tales of chasing this elusive collection, which actually dates back to Russia's Tsar Nicholas II, in his book, "Stalin's Wine Cellar."
88. The Art of Matador John Fulton, with Britt Zaist
00:37:36
American bullfighter John Fulton (1932-1998) led a colorful life in and out of the bullrings of Spain — and distinguished himself as an artist, most notably through paintings colored with the blood of the bulls he killed in the ring. Friend and fellow artist Britt Zaist has held onto 80 of Fulton's works, while selling much of his work though her art gallery in Mexico.
87. "Northern Exposure," Commemorated by Corey Davorin
00:35:33
Funny and philosophical, the quirky 1990s TV series "Northern Exposure" maintains a loyal following of devotees including collector Corey Davorin, whose Texas home includes a wide range of collectibles and even much of the show's actual radio booth — plus other unexpected parts of the show's history.
86. Studio 54 Memorabilia, Collected (and Donated) by Steve Desroches
00:36:29
Since childhood, Steve Desroches has had a fascination with Studio 54, the exclusive, anything-goes New York nightclub that was the toast of the town during the disco heyday of the 1970s. As an adult, Steve collected guest lists, party invitations, and even clothing related to the club — before eventually finding a permanent home for much of his collection.
85. Banned Books on a Maine Island, with Eva Murray
00:32:30
Matinicus Island, Maine, is home to under 100 year-round residents — as well as a tiny public library that, thanks in part to treasurer Eva Murray, features a collection of books that have been banned or challenged elsewhere in the U.S.
84. "Flea Market Love Letters," Collected by Liz Maguire
00:38:36
Long live the letter! Over the past decade, Liz Maguire has collected nearly 2,000 vintage handwritten love letters of all kinds — from sweethearts to sweethearts, from soldiers to their families, and more — and shared her finds on Flea Market Love Letters, a website and social media account she's run since 2017.