We all collect Yellow Submarine Stuff.

 

We all live in a collect Yellow Submarine Stuff.

I think we all at some time have collected things.

From the physical like stamps, records, and books to ethereal things like memories.

The reasons for collecting are many; things we once had, that were broken, lost, or that we or our parents couldn’t afford when we were younger. Its sphere is all-encompassing.

Collecting can be exciting and challenging, with a physical goal to achieve, the dopamine hit of finding that treasure. It is also something that can vary greatly in scope and size. From something you may keep in a box in the wardrobe to a curated collection, with documented histories and records. To have accounts of one’s legacy with hopes to pass on.

Collecting isn’t just something that carries on from your childhood. It develops over time.

I have amassed several collections over the years, some intentional, some just accumulating without me realizing.

My unique collection would have to be my compilation of all things  Yellow Submarine-related. This fits into the ”…accumulating without realizing” category.

When I was a pre-teen, during the school holidays my brothers and I would be put on a bus and sent for a week or so to various Aunty & Uncles in the Yea/Murrindindi area, where my mum originally came from and most of her large family still resided. On one of these trips, I had a comic to read, who or what I have no recollection but at the back was an advert for the Beatles' new Movie and the comic that was part of the marketing campaign. The comic was in colour, so it must have been an import. But the art, the characters, and the style of the few pictures featured on the two-page spread had me spellbound. I had never seen this kind of creative style and I wanted to know more about it. I had an exercise book and colouring pencils with me and began to copy the magical pictures, and during the course of my stay, started making up my own story with the characters. Of course, without any new material feeding this obsession, it quickly faded. I had to wait a few years when the original Yellow Submarine movie was shown on TV. This time I was a teenager, Colour TV was a thing, and I was a bit more into music. I was anticipating something great and I was rewarded many times over. Wishing with all my heart, that there was some kind of device to record it on so I could watch it repeatedly. Even though through the ages I did rent it on VHS many times, as time went on, I had other interests that far exceeded obsessing about an old 1960s band cartoon movie. Then at about the turn of the new century, I stumbled across some figures in a toy store sale bin. John and George, I think it was, dressed in the Sgt. Peppers gear from the movie. I thought they would look good on the shelf. From that point on, my radar seemed more attuned to this kind of item. This led to some old VHS tapes, then I managed to get an actual model of the Yellow Submarine itself.

Time rolls on and now I have seven, as well as posters, books, comics, trading cards, and DVDs. Along the way, I also managed to pick up an appreciation of Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour period pieces. Once again because the theme and art appealed.

It must be noted, that I am not a real big fan of the Beatles’ music. though as a musician. I wholeheartedly accept their role and influence on music to this day. I have never been one to let the music of my youth dictate my musical taste, I am always on the lookout for something new and exciting, however, my artistic preferences and influences seem to work in the opposite directions if you take in what I have just written here.

 I  have watched other collectors show off their collections on YouTube and was amazed at the amount of merchandise that was released over the years, making my effort seem tiny. I however was disappointed that most of these collectors hadn’t even removed the plastic on the boxes of their figures, kits, cards, and models. I don’t understand how they couldn’t fight the urge to hold them and enjoy them.  

I haven’t added to the collection for some time now, but when I do stumble across something Yellow Submarine related, that old feeling of yesteryear surfaces once again and I automatically think  “I wouldn’t mind holding that”.

Originally published in BBCN Issue 336 Sept 2024