Manitoba man builds 9,000-item Indiana Jones collection over 40 years
A Manitoba man has been collecting Indiana Jones memorabilia for the past 40 years, amassing what may be the world's largest collection in honour of the fictional adventuring archeologist.
When Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark was first advertised in 1981, Les David wasn’t interested in seeing it – not even a little.
"I saw the commercials, and it's a World War 2 movie," said David. "And that's just not my genre. I'm not knocking it, but it's just not my thing."
But he went to the movie as a favour to a friend. Two hours later, he said his jaw dropped.
"I was not prepared for that rollercoaster ride at all," he said.
It is rollercoaster ride he's been on for 40 years, and the proof of David's lifelong love affair with the film franchise can be found in a custom-made building on his rural Manitoba property where he keeps his vast collection of Indiana Jones memorabilia and collectors' items.
"We call it the world's largest Indiana Jones collection," said David. "We're working on certifying that with the Guinness Book of World Records."
Les David has been collecting Indiana Jones memorabilia for the past 40 years, amassing what may be the world's largest collection in honour of the fictional adventuring archeologist. (Source: Jon Hendricks/ CTV News Winnipeg)
(Source: Jon Hendricks/ CTV News Winnipeg)
David has between 8,000 and 9,000 separate Indiana Jones-themed items from around the world.
His collection includes everything from costumes used in the movie, to copies of the films on every format imaginable – even on old camcorders.
"They released the films in full length on camcorder," he said. "The idea being if you were on holiday in a motel you could plug your camcorder and have a portable VCR with you."
In addition to the posters, books, and the many other items in the collection, David has Indiana Jones-themed VLTs specially imported from Japan.
"They were nice enough to go back to the factory and have one of each constructed specifically for us," said David.
Les David has been collecting Indiana Jones memorabilia for the past 40 years, amassing what may be the world's largest collection in honour of the fictional adventuring archeologist. (Source: Jon Hendricks/ CTV News Winnipeg)
(Source: Jon Hendricks/ CTV News Winnipeg)
As you can imagine, assembling a collection like this wasn't easy, and it wasn't cheap either.
While he isn't certain exactly how much he's spent on the collection, David estimates he's spent a quarter million dollars over the past 40 years.
"But don't hold me to that," he says. "It's a best guess."
He doesn't have to guess though about the incredible joy his collection has brought to himself, as well as his family and friends over the years.
Les David has been collecting Indiana Jones memorabilia for the past 40 years, amassing what may be the world's largest collection in honour of the fictional adventuring archeologist. (Source: Jon Hendricks/ CTV News Winnipeg)
(Source: Jon Hendricks/ CTV News Winnipeg)
It is a collection that will almost certainly grow even bigger in the years to come, as Indiana Jones actor Harrison Ford is currently shooting another film in the series.
David is cataloguing every item in his collection – a task that may take a year to complete, but if all goes well, could earn him the title of a Guinness record holder in time for the 2023 edition.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.