The Collectors
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Sunday 23 December 2007
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One of the founders of the iconic Australian band Mental As Anything, Martin Plaza, became a suitcase collector 30 years ago when the band first started touring. Though instead of a passion for the suitcases, his collection initially grew out of a need to carry home the countless op shop purchases he made every time the band toured.
Amongst his collection of nearly 50 suitcases, one of Martin’s favourites is a hand-made wooden one he bought in Bathurst that he now uses to store tubes of coloured paint and brushes in. Another very special suitcase is one containing all the Mental As Anything memorabilia he has kept throughout the band’s career. These include rare t-shirts and even a coffee mug. Other favourites include a case he bought containing a vintage slide projector and another round case which had a homburg hat inside.
Aside from the practical uses of suitcases for storing things away, Martin likes the way they look when they’re stacked on top of one another, and also the simple fact they help keep things neat and tidy.
Martin is also fascinated by the various locks and latches on suitcases. Some of the oldest cases he owns feature extremely well made parts that work as well today as they did when they were new.
Martin likes being surrounded by all the cases as he enjoys looking at them and he says they have a calming effect on him.
