Moomin fan Jana: a collecting passion that spiralled out of control

Collecting Moomin merchandise is a global hobby with roots dating back to the 1950s. Estonian collector Jana shares her experience of how her passion for Moomin items grew beyond her control. Prices for the rarest examples can reach up to 1,500.

Collecting Moomin merchandise is a widely popular hobby around the world and has today grown into a cultural phenomenon in its own right. Since the 1950s, when the first Moomin products appeared on the market, enthusiasts across the globe have been collecting these items – though sometimes passion can grow unexpectedly larger than anyone planned.

Estonian collector Jana admits that at some point she lost control of her collecting. "There came a point when I simply couldn't manage collecting anymore!" she laughs, looking back. Her experience is familiar to many Moomin fans: what starts with one cute figurine can develop into an extensive collection that takes over an entire living room.

Everyone has their own motivation for collecting. For some, the uniqueness of an item and its historical value are paramount, while for others the nostalgic feeling and memories associated with the items matter most. Many collectors also point to the simple everyday joy that their beloved characters bring them.

The Moomin merchandise market is active and prices vary considerably. Ordinary souvenirs come at affordable prices, but for truly rare and coveted examples, an owner can ask up to 1,500. This price level shows just how much cultural and material value Moomin products have accumulated over the decades.