Welcome to the collection of Paul Nordstrom Owner: Paul Nordstrom, Nashville, TN Email: gijoe1966@yahoo.com When I started to put my Joe room together, I couldn't find very many pics of other displays on the 'net. So, I had to start from ground zero. A couple of things: As a rule, I don't clean or repair anything in my collection--EVER. If I do get something that's missing a button or is very dirty, I'll just sell or trade it away. My collection philosophy is to constantly "upgrade, upgrade, upgrade." I guess you could say I'm an "every-slot-filled" kind of collector. I know exactly what I am missing and where that piece will go when I find it. I was in my heyday as a kid collecting baseball cards (my favorite card was the checkoff list). If I find a nicer piece than the one I currently have, I'll trade or sell the old one and replace it with the better one. I've had good luck with this technique and it's more fun because I'm never limited to what I need. NOTHING is more fun than picking up a local collection and going through it piece by piece and comparing it to what is already displayed in my collection. My goals are: #1 to have a complete C-7/8 loose collection - I'm getting close but a little weak in 75-76 & #2 to have at least one good, solid boxed example of each of the various styles of packaging that was offered from 64-76. I have little completion goals within each category, like completing the whole 1969 Red Top boxes etc. I have had super good luck in finding local collections. I would say that 80% of my collection has been purchased face-to-face with either the original owner or someone who had purchased it a garage sale or something. Almost all of my "premium" harder to find pieces have been found in this way. For even MORE photos of my joe room and my current want list, please visit this link NOW. ---Paul Nordstrom Paul custom-built this display cabinet. It's the first thing people see when they enter his Joe Room. Notice how, despite the odd angles and somewhat confining spaces Paul has to work with, he has efficiently mounted deep shelving, utilized the ceiling for suspending his Panther Jet and arranged everything very neatly. No jammed in items here. Even his footlockers are proudly lined up for inspection! Are you jealous yet? This is a collection that'll make any GIJoe fan turn green with envy. Wow! Here's a nice way to display GIjOEs. Place fully outfitted figures next to their carded sets. Mmmm... Each figure is complete with an original, vintage box. Note Paul's use of clean, white shelving and how the smooth bracket supports seem to disappear and are not a distraction from the collection itself. Nice! Each vehicle has been faithfully cleaned and restored and enjoys a place of honor on the shelves. Notice how each figure and every item is not just placed on a shelf --it's carefully displayed. Now THIS is an interesting shot. Notice Paul's use of a pegboard to display items that were originally hung on just such a board in the toy store. Notice how it adds a "vintage" feel to the items hung up? And check out that parts bin! Full of heads, arms, legs, etc. Efficient way to store your extras! You know you're a serious collector when you've got boxes "out the wazoo!" Paul's collection even went "on the road" back in 2004 to the Tennessee Military Collector's Club Show. If you've got it, FLAUNT it. Paul's AT tower is fully assembled, proudly displayed and manned by the AT Commander 24-7. And again, notice how Paul has chosen to not just plop this Joe on a shelf. Instead, he's fully rigged and suspended over the floor moving from one side to the other. Seriously, if you're lucky enough to own a Breeches Buoy Joe, you should show him off. Fantastic display! Finally, look how Paul's AT Adventurer's hovercraft appears to be actually hovering--out AWAY from the shelves. VERY imaginative and effective! Paul simply slid the stand under one of the shelf supports. More 1:6 Scale Collections Return to Collections Index And Don't Miss... Collections Indoor Dioramas Outdoor Photos Custom Figures Custom Vehicles Tips & Tricks Club Websites Feedback Submit Your Collection About GIjOE Collections Cool Links HOME Address any questions or comments to webmaster Mark Otnes, at 303 E. Sherwin Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, or Phone: 217-337-1706 or Email: sterling@shout.net