🪆 Axios Finish Line: Your archives

Welcome back! Smart Brevity™ count: 489 words … 2 mins. Copy edited by Amy Stern.

We're back with another collection of your collections.

• Why it matters: We've shown you a stunning range of collections — from coins to Frisbees to dolls. Readers tell us building these archives brings them joy and connects them to past and future generations of their families.

"I have been collecting military-uniform bears since I was a child going from base to base with my father throughout his Navy career. Even today, as a service member (go Navy!), I will travel to different bases and government installations to see what new military bears have been released."

• "Now that I have a son, I am working towards both rebuilding my collection and gifting a special childhood memory to the next generation!" —Patrick Cheng, L.A.

"I've collected political memorabilia for about 40 years, and started collecting presidential autographs. But that wasn't specific enough. They had to be signed while in office. It's really hard to get William Henry Harrison signed as president."

• "A document comes up for sale or at an auction every few years. Someday, maybe I can trade my home for a signed W.H. Harrison presidential document to complete the 'signed as president collection.' But then where would I put them?"
• "A few years back, I acquired a couple of signed White House cards. Then I started learning about these cards, which date back to Rutherford B. Hayes. I'm working on finishing the collection of signed Executive Mansion and White House cards from Hayes through Eisenhower." —Andy Bloom, Minneapolis

"When I was a kid, I loved the American Girl books and dolls. ... As an adult, I had the irrepressible urge to complete my collection. So I have all five of the original historical dolls, and all of the outfits that go along with the books. I also have their extra outfits, a significant number of accessories, and the limited-edition clothes." —Elizabeth Allard, Cleveland

"Several years ago, my wife and I started collecting rocks from each country we visit. We write the country's name on each rock, as well as anything special about the location where we found it. We have well over 100 rocks."

• "My favorite came from the Great Wall of China; second favorite from 50 feet underwater at the Great Barrier Reef." —Brent Robinson, Sun Valley, Idaho

"My collection of action figures started during the Beanie Baby epidemic that my youngest daughter and my wife were caught up in. I had to find an outlet, and started with ugly action figures (think Spawn figures). I quickly realized I needed to narrow it down. ... [Transparent figures] was what I started focusing on!" —Jeff Wills, Spokane, Wash.

• More reader collections.

bp added $130+ billion to the U.S. economy over the last two years. Like three major projects in Texas to help modernize our natural gas production. Now, 95% of our wells in the Permian Basin run on electricity — a more efficient way to power our U.S. production.

Just one more way we're investing in America.

"Snapped this picture during college drop-off in Chicago" on Monday morning, reader Stewart Verdery writes.

• "Bittersweet day, but an awesome shot made possible by the exact east-west street layout in the Windy City."