The Beginning of My Passion

From a young age, I was captivated by collecting Garfield books. Interestingly, it wasn’t my own comic that sparked this obsession, but rather two that belonged to my brother. When he wasn’t engrossed in reading them, I eagerly held onto those books until my perceptive mother gifted me a small collection of my own.

For her, it was just another day keeping her children entertained. For me, it was a pivotal moment that transformed my life.

We were in a Borders bookstore—a now-defunct chain that I viewed as a treasure trove of literary wonders. The sheer array of books available was awe-inspiring, with shelves that could rival those of any grand library. I could spend hours searching for that one special title.

In the early 2000s, Melbourne had only one Borders store, and it was a bustling hub on trendy Chapel Street, drawing crowds weekly.

As I navigated the vast aisles with my mother, she eventually signaled to me with a memorable instruction:

> “You can buy one book. Go choose.”

While most eleven-year-olds might have gravitated toward fashion magazines or the latest Harry Potter installment to impress their peers, I danced around the shelves until I reached the humor section. There, among various joke books and lesser-known comics, I found my first Garfield book:

A Fat-Cat Three Pack, Volume Nine.

I scrutinized the book, confident in my choice. Though many titles were available, none compared to this gem. Without hesitation, I decided to buy it and cherish it forever.

With its worn pages and stains from Fanta, this book remains my most cherished possession.

In a way, it represents my first love.

Recently, amid the challenges posed by the pandemic, I resolved to become an official Garfield collector. Though I had always collected them, I had never labeled myself as such—an oversight for someone whose obsession extended beyond mere books. Sometimes it takes a global crisis to help you see what truly matters.

I committed to acquiring every single main Garfield book published by Jim Davis, a quest I embarked on six months ago to fulfill the dreams of my eleven-year-old self.

The Collector's End Goal: The Collection

When the Garfield books debuted in February 1980, they were printed in a unique black-and-white format that was both short and wide—something I hadn’t encountered in any other series. My brother had similar Foot Rot Flats comics, but the Garfield size was distinctively smaller.

This original format persisted until the publication of the thirty-sixth book, along with the Fat Cat three packs, which combined three books into one.

I was ecstatic when my first color edition arrived. While there were Garfield Treasuries featuring color versions of Sunday comics, it wasn’t until Garfield Hogs The Spotlight—book number thirty-six—that Davis transitioned to a full-color, square format for all subsequent comics.

My first full-color book was Garfield Beefs Up, which still makes me chuckle with its delightful cover illustration.

From that point on, all new Garfield books were produced in this vibrant format, marking the end of the half-size editions.

The Garfield classics soon followed, with all previous volumes reprinted in color and the larger format.

To date, my goal has been to complete the entire collection, which encompasses thirty-six half-size singles, twelve half-size Fat Cat three packs, seventy-four full-size singles, and twenty-four full-size Fat Cat three packs—totaling one hundred and forty-six books.

Yes, six months ago, I set out to obtain every one of those one hundred and forty-six titles.

The Challenges of Collecting

Understanding the print runs of these Garfield books was one thing; the real challenge lay in my determination to acquire all of them, especially since the half-size editions had gone out of print.

Finding books that are no longer published has become one of the greatest logistical feats I've ever undertaken. It proved more challenging than moving houses, starting a business, or even planning a wedding.

You can’t simply walk into a store and find a brand-new copy of the book you're missing, nor will you stumble upon it at a discount retailer. The books you seek are often non-existent.

With typical avenues closed off, I pushed myself to explore uncharted territory—the secondhand market.

In Australia, where I doubted we ever had the original print editions available, the secondhand market offered limited options. If I wanted to find these books, where could I source them?

Naturally, I turned to the Internet.

eBay emerged as the best platform for finding secondhand books, while other Australian options included Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. Traditional charity shops, however, yielded no Garfield books during my many visits, which was shocking for a series that reportedly outsold the Bible.

(I visited numerous charity shops and markets to no avail—nothing but disappointment.)

Given the various types of Garfield book publications, it quickly became evident how elusive the original half-sized set was. The more I searched, the more I discovered other editions that weren't what I needed.

The most frequently available books were the promotional ones identical to those my brother owned.

Finding the entire collection in Australia proved to be a daunting task, necessitating international sourcing and shipping.

The Financial Aspect of Collecting

Collecting anything can be a costly pursuit. It’s easy to overlook expenses when you become captivated by a passion.

You don’t consider the financial implications while daydreaming about owning a complete collection. This is why collectors often find themselves wealthy yet financially strained.

Acquiring out-of-print Garfield books requires a budget. I recall when they originally retailed for around twelve to thirteen dollars, while the Fat Cat three packs cost about twenty dollars.

In the secondhand world, full price is a rarity. Buyers expect to pay discounted prices for pre-owned items.

However, as I delved deeper into the world of collecting out-of-print editions, prices skyrocketed—sometimes doubling or even tripling.

I came across a listing on eBay where the original price sticker displayed five dollars, while the seller was listing it for thirty.

As I noted this, I couldn’t help but think, ‘You could have at least removed the price sticker.’

Despite the meaning each book held for my collection, their newfound monetary value posed a dilemma. I had to establish a budget per book without prioritizing one over another.

It felt akin to choosing a favorite child—an impossible task.

With no limited editions in sight, it seemed unfair to assign value to these books.

Yet, I found myself at the mercy of the secondhand market's perceived value, needing to determine what I was willing to spend to complete my collection.

I’m not naturally inclined to haggle. I often struggle to negotiate prices at market stalls or even at large retail stores.

But the collector within me transforms into a different persona. She’s determined to secure every book within her limited budget, knowing she can’t exceed a certain price without jeopardizing future purchases.

Sacrifices must be made, and uncomfortable discussions with sellers about pricing are inevitable. These books are precious to me, and I would do anything to have them.

My first attempt at negotiating began when I found the half-size number one, Garfield At Large, on Facebook Marketplace.

The seller had a collection of Garfield books, but I only needed this first edition. I reached out, asking if she would consider lowering the price since I only wanted one.

To my surprise, she agreed to my proposed price of just ten dollars.

I felt like I was taking advantage of her generosity. This book was worth much more, but as a collector, I had to be strategic and save every penny for less accommodating sellers.

Sometimes, I feel guilty about the deal I struck, but if she was willing to part with it at that price, she must not have cherished it as I do.

Understanding My Obsession

People in my life often seek a grand rationale for my collecting obsession. They want a noble reason for why I dedicate my spare time to hunting for and organizing memorabilia.

They hope my fascination serves a greater purpose, impacting others' lives.

However, I don’t collect Garfield items—books, figurines, or other memorabilia—to change the world. In my humble way, I’m simply pursuing happiness.

Surprisingly, my passion for collecting Garfield comes with a series of unfounded assumptions.

What does it signify when someone fixates on a character like Garfield? They must have an immature outlook on life.

I don’t need anyone to validate my love for Garfield.

For countless reasons, I don’t even feel compelled to explain what this orange-striped cat means to me. Most people don’t justify their sources of joy, and I don’t feel the need to either.

As I’ve matured into my thirties, I’ve stopped caring about others’ opinions regarding my collection. I proudly wear Garfield T-shirts daily and am eager to share my collection with anyone interested.

When you invest in a collection like mine, external opinions become irrelevant; your feelings remain unchanged. That’s the essence of love.

Collecting: A Simple Joy

Being a collector brings uncomplicated joy. When I completed the half-size collection, placing that final book on the shelf filled me with euphoria.

While I haven’t yet finished collecting the color editions, I can proudly say I have completed the black-and-white half sizes—some duplicates included.

I managed to find all those elusive, costly half-sized Garfield books.

I accomplished this on my own, negotiating prices, budgeting, and navigating uncharted territory. I pushed myself to solve challenges I didn’t know existed.

This achievement is worth celebrating, and the tangible result sits proudly on my shelves, a testament to my dedication.

Being a collector has solidified my understanding of my preferences. (And if anyone suggested I collect Snoopy instead, I would react vehemently—joking, of course, but there’s no substitute for me.)

People often claim that anything is achievable by combining passion and perseverance. I scoffed at this notion until I placed that last book on the shelf.

I proved to myself that if I truly desired something and committed to it daily, I could achieve it.

What else might be possible if I approached my life as I do my Garfield collection? What if this joy could inspire me to pursue everything I desire?

What if this was the validation I needed to accomplish what I once thought was unattainable?

Imagine the possibilities stemming from a simple obsession with collecting Garfield books.

I remain curious to see if this passion will lead to the desired outcomes. Only time will tell—perhaps as I delve further into my color classics collection.

Maybe it’s time to accept that I no longer need to focus on the half-sized books, as that journey has reached its conclusion.

I’ll have to wait and see, perhaps while enjoying a lasagna and reflecting on my Mondays.