If you decide to build up a GHOST collection, it is hard to miss his name. I’ve been a member of the Facebook group “Ghost Collectors” for a while now and I’m pretty sure there’s nothing he doesn’t know when it comes to GHOST collections.

For those who aren’t familiar, Marco is a very well-known collector of GHOST merchandise/collectibles who has been around since the early days of the band. He is the man behind the Ghost Collectors Facebook group, a place for fans to share and discuss authentic Ghost collectibles.

So, Marco, you are a fan from the very beginning. How did you become aware of the band GHOST? What fascinated you about them to start a collection?

A close Swedish friend (a famous musician) suggested me to listen to GHOST in the very early days and I was immediately in love with their sound. I started to collect them because of their music and their first single “Elizabeth”, still one of my favorite songs. Also, I really loved their logo, instantly! 🙂

How many GHOST concerts have you been to so far and where did they take place?

If I remember correctly, I saw “GHOST” live about 20 times in total, all the Italian gigs obviously (except the last one) and the others around in Europe, like Germany, Sweden, UK. The EU gigs were all related to the first and second era.

The Facebook group „GHOST Collectors“ was born 8 years ago, it was one of the early groups GHOST related and the very first about their collectibles. Do you think the group has impact on fans and motivates them to start a collection themselves? Would you say that maybe your group makes it a little bit easier for people to start a collection as well, because they will find there the support and information they need?

I always considered the group as a big database with detailed info about all the GHOST stuff, so I’m sure it had a big impact and it helped much the people that wanted to start their collections. During the years I also helped many people to get the rarest stuff. I was very happy to do that, first of it all for some collectors of the group that really deserved it. During the past years I also updated the GHOST database on the online music platform “Discogs” and added the rarest stuff. I’m sure that helps all the collectors around the world, not only people in the group.

Over the past few years, you as “GHOST Collectors” have realized various collaborations with artists. This has resulted in beautiful and unique GHOST items exclusively made for members of the group. Which artists have you already worked with, how did it come about and what were the results?

Yes, I had some great collaborations in these years with different kind of artists. I can mention some of them, like Tom Roberts, Henry Ruggeri, Paul Harries, Mesozord, Geert Kroes, Luca Solo Macello, Giulia Hellbound, Bengans Linköping, etc. Some of them already worked officially with GHOST, some not, but I hope that one day they will be able to. I reached some of them to collaborate and they were happy to do it, but also, I was reached by some others about a collaboration and in this case I was honored. The result of each work was great, we made incredible stuff together and members really love them. Hope to do something new and cool very soon! 🙂

If I remember correctly, you organized a signing session in Italy with GHOST where posters were signed by Papa III and the former Nameless Ghouls. Could you tell us a bit about how that came about?

I was not the organizer of that signing session, that was organized by the agency that promoted GHOST in Italy in that years, but I was there in the backstage with a couple of friends. So, let’s say I was there for some good reasons. 🙂

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What was the first very first item of GHOST you bought?

My very first GHOST item was the Elizabeth 7” single LP. I ordered the black version as soon as it was available. I also have received the very rare red version as a gift, thanks to the help of a German friend that worked for the label “Iron Pegasus Records”.

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Do you collect everything of GHOST or are there items you are generally not interested in? Are you still excited when you get a new item?

I do not collect everything about GHOST, I only collect stuff that I love to have in my collection. Honestly, I disagree with people that buy every single item just for the heck to buy it, I think that makes no sense! At least this is my opinion. 🙂

About to get new items, I am always very excited when still after 10 years I find a rare item. It’s like my first day of collecting. 🙂

Is there anything you would like to have in your collection but haven’t got yet? Or do you collect no more because you already have everything you want to have?

I learned after 10 years that there is always something around that I miss. The world of collectibles in general is lovely for that reason, it never ends. There are a couple of things that still I’d like to have, but will keep them with me until the day that finally I’ll able to share them on group. 😉

Do you have a favourite piece in your collection that you are particularly proud of? Which piece was the most difficult to acquire?

I have many favorite pieces in my collection, but there are a couple of things that I’m really proud to have.

The first one is the “Papa Emeritus I” print made by “Maria Ackerfors” with the release date of “Opus Eponymous” on. It was the very first print ever made about GHOST and the most impressive in my opinion. Also, it has a “special” backstory behind.

The second one is the “Infestissumam – Test Pressing” released by “Universal Music AB”, because at the moment it is the rarest vinyl on the market about GHOST and I really love that album.

Both were very very hard to get, and I can confirm 100% they are IMPOSSIBLE to find. Let’s call them true “holy grails”.

How do you store all the collectibles? I’ve only just started to collect and already have lack of space. After all, the collectibles should also be stored safely.

For sure the world of collectibles in general needs a lot of space to store stuff, in my case I have a loft of around 50 m² (538 ft²) where I keep all my collections in general. I use displays for vinyl, box for mixed items and stands for shirts. I have to admit that it is almost full at the moment and soon I won’t know what to do. :-/

What do you think about the trend of increasing prices of GHOST merchandise, but especially for GHOST vinyl?

I think GHOST has become one of the most important rock bands ever in a brief time. That’s the reason why people really love collecting their stuff.

About vinyl: the demand is very high about rare pieces, so obviously the prices are very expensive. First of it all about vinyl that probably never will be reprinted, test pressings, signed vinyl related the first era and signed vinyl with COA (certificate of authenticity).

Do you have any tips for collectors and those who want to become collectors? What item should not be missing in a good collection?

My tip is “Beware! You are going to be poor soon!” Ahaha! 🙂

Yes, I have already experienced that sorely. 😉

I think the item that should not be missing in a good collection is the one you really want. The item you would kill for!

Do you only collect GHOST stuff or are you generally passionate about collecting? If so, what else do you collect? What is the attraction of collecting for you?

I collect art in general, I really love art and I really love to discover new/great artists around. I focus on H.R. Giger art. I collect his art for 15/20 years now.

Also, I collect diecast robots of 70/80s. I’m in love with them. 🙂

Do you spin LPs or is that an absolute no-go as they lose value once opened?

I usually spin only spare copies, anyway I always remove shrinkwrap from LPs to replace it with resealable high-quality envelopes. They protect them more over time.

What is your opinion on bootlegs?

Initially I collected some bootlegs, but during the past years I totally lost the interest in them. 90% of them have a very cheap quality and honestly, I don’t understand people that spend a lot of money for them.

Last but not least: I’ve already asked you this before and I do it again with pleasure: When are you going to finally open your GHOST museum? I would like to have a personal tour then. 😉

I don’t think there will ever be a GHOST museum, but if one day this will happen for sure it will be furnished not only with my stuff.

I’d like to spend some words about other big collectors that we have in the group and outside of the group. People that I know from years. They are close friends and I really love their collections 🙂

We will do a lot more interviews in the future, so maybe we will ask one of your friends, if they are willing to talk to us too. 🙂

Marco, thank you so much for taking your time and answering our questions. It was fun and really informative.

Thank you for having an interest in wanting me to be a part of your project, I really appreciated it 🙂

      31^st January, 2021 / km

If you want to know more about Marco and his collection, please have a look at the facebook group and his Instagram account.

Portfolio:            https://www.facebook.com/groups/GHOSTcollectors

Instagram:         The_True_GHOST_Collection