I have realised that I am (I think) the only one on here that seriously collects lanterns / light fixtures. I've seen Cobrahead has a couple, and others have one as a novelty if you will or to aid in running lamps; but nobody else seriously collects lanterns like me. [Don't panic, I'm happy to be here!]
But it has made me wonder: what do you collect, what's your reasoning behind collecting it, And is there any particular reason why you haven't branched out into collecting other items?

I'll go first with a proposed format:

I collect:
Old street lanterns | Traffic signals | Bulkhead lights | Fluorescent Battens | Paraffin lamps | Rotating beacons

Why I collect old street lanterns:
It started out that I was just interested in the SOX lamp. The magical colour changing light bulb that almost all street lights were around me growing up was fascinating to me. But I gradually began to appreciate the different designs of each SOX lantern. That then expanded to understanding the designs of lanterns for running other lamps. My first lantern was a Philips FGS224 36W PL-L lantern. It was bought for me by my dad as a novelty. It wasn't SOX, but I didn't care, it was a street light. My first SOX lantern came about a year later from ebay. Having a SOX lamp and lantern right next to me for the first time fully secured my passion for both. I firmly caught the lighting bug and things went mad from there! I chanced upon contractors a couple of times, and they let me save lanterns; some more came from ebay; and then I got an apprenticeship working on street lights, repairing and replacing. And the rest is history as they say!
but why do I actually like old lanterns? To be honest, I've not pinned it down 100% why! But It is almost certainly because I like the look of bulky, heavy duty, quality built light fittings. I can sum it up in two sentences: "built to work, built to last. No showing off, just showing up, and getting the job done". That sentiment rings true for almost everything I collect. I think things are cool because they're not! while street lanterns have their own unique aesthetics, they really have two purposes: hold the lamp securely, and put the light where it's needed. But they all are built in a way modern lantern's aren't. User serviceable; easy to maintain; durable; dependable; simple; good enough! That's why I like them, and that's why I collect them.

Why I collect traffic signals:
It was a traffic signal that got me interested in lighting in the first place! Turning out of the old cinema, we would come to a junction with a traffic light that had a 'spotty green arrow'. That arrow is responsible for me becoming interested in lighting as a whole! Again, like with street lanterns, my dad bought me a traffic signal as a novelty; about 10 years before the street lighting interest fully took hold. Traffic lights have always been novelty items for me, but I have enough of them to consider them a collection. This includes a signal with a 'spotty green' fibre optic arrow; not the exact signal that inspired me years ago, but still one with the arrow that did! But like the street lanterns, that phrase I said rings true here as well. They just work. And I like them for that.

Why I collect bulkhead lights:
Again, I think things are cool because they're not! Bulkhead lights are simple, heavy duty, strong, reliable and durable light fixtures. They just keep on going no matter what. That phrase of mine is coming up again! Bulkheads are not my main interest, so my collection of them is small. But I still appreciate their quality, and so I want some in my possession.  It was also a bulkhead light I carried out my first ever lamp change on. I was about 3 years old, my dad picked me up so I could reach the light on the side of the garage. And 18 years later, the 60W lamp I put in there is still working! Even though the light has been removed from the garage and placed into my collection. It will always have a place in my heart!

Why I collect fluorescent battens:
Here comes the phrase again! Batten lights are the most simplistic discharge lamp fittings you can get. Just a stick with a cap on each end to hold a different stick that glows! But Battens on preheat gear are what I really like. Seeing the tube(s) blink to life with some noise from the ballast; it feels like it's alive, and I love that sound! And a room full of preheat battens; or a corridor with a line of them down the middle; and watching them all uniquely blink on with much pinging and humming is truly a wonderful scene. So I have a few batten lights in my collection for that reason.

Why I collect paraffin lamps:
This is a fairly recent development. I only became interested in them in the last couple of years or so. I'd seen images of 'hurricane' lanterns in peoples collection, and in films etc., but not put much thought into them. But then a say a youtube video about them and 'why do hurricane lanterns look like that'. That video about how and why they work that got me really interested in them. They are yet another thing that just work. They have a distinct but subdued charm. No longer are they the windproof wonder that changed outdoor nightlife the world over. But they have matured into iconic antiques, that may just outlast us all. It's a light source that forgot to become obsolete! About a week after watching that video I had my first hurricane paraffin lamp. It was a modern built one from Amazon. A novelty. Not long after I got a vintage military issue Chalwyn Tropic from 1952. Better build quality, heavier duty, and clearly able to last a long time. Like the street lanterns, it became clear that I liked them and wanted to collect them, so I did! My first Chalwyn lantern has made me a fan of their company, so that's the brand I go with when getting lanterns, but I know other good companies made high quality lanterns as well. And here I must take credit (or blame!) for getting a certain Sammi interested in these things as well!

Why I collect rotating beacons:
It's again another older design that just works. just rotate a mirror around a light bulb and it will look like it's flashing. But I like the simple rhythmic flash they put out, I find it somewhat soothing but still attention grabbing. Plus you can hear them working. No circuit board needed; just a motor and connecting gears! Again more of a novelty for me, but still numerous enough to be called a collection. They are really nice, simple things.

Why don't I collect other things?
Well right now, those are the things that interest me, and I'm fortunate to have the space available to collect them. If something else comes up that I become interested in enough to want to collect it, then I do have the room to do that. But for right now, this is what I'm interested in.
But this is not all that I have collected in the past. I used to collect fire alarms. Another thing that nobody gives much thought into, they just work, but are all different in their own ways. But unfortunately with my autism progressing, my hearing became more and more sensitive. I need now need ear defenders if someone is shouting, let alone a fire alarm going off! So I have unfortunately had to give up that hobby. I still find fire alarms interesting, but I choose not to sound them anymore. 

I will also add that I do collect lamps, but mainly they are to run in the lanterns / fixtures I have, not because the lamp itself is something special. With the exception of SOX lamps. I have SOX lamps both for the purpose of using in lanterns, and because they're SOX lamps!

So there we are. My reasons for collecting what I do. Feel free to add your comments and your reasoning behind your collected collections!

 You're Welcome Max ! Enjoy !  Road trips can be a nice escape from the everyday . 

 @ Sammi : Nice !!! 

I bought 8 NOS 175w GE merc lamps from the late 90s-mid 00s from a restore today. Most of them will be going to another collector friend of mine, however I will be keeping one clear and one DX one for my Unidoor 250. A couple days ago I bought a PC and power cord for that light, it works well however the current lamp in it is pretty well used. Gonna test the lamps I got tonight and clean off all the storage room dust from them.   

Maybe, the light over the mirror and over the desk are a little too dim for my tastes...

Are you going to hook it up as your room light...

A couple days ago now but as Tim said I met up with him over the weekend to buy lamps. He cut me a good deal on a Unidoor 250, 180w SOX lamp, and a few other goodies for a reasonable price. Took me forever to collect on the deal as I had the slight issue of living about 700 miles away, but with me doing college in Indiana it became a reasonable trip. Overall I had a fun time and enjoyed being away from college for the day. The Unidoor is in my dorm room and is waiting to be fitted with a clear mercury lamp I saw but didn't buy at the Plymouth Indiana restore and a power cord.    

Again, this happened yesterday, (perhaps we should change the title of the thread.?)  
I have been in touch with a bloke in Edinburgh, and I'm getting another X246B stormlight for no cost to me at all.!
We'll be collecting it on the way home from our trip south. 

 I'll let him give you all of the details ! 

You managed it then.!
What did he give you.?  

 Not today but yesterday , I met up with member Bulbman . We BS'd , checked out each others cars and he got some lamps and a streetlight from me . (It only took 3 YEARS ! )    It was fun ! I needed to get away for a little bit !