it," he said. "All my Catholic friends think it's great."
Equestrian figurines became the next collectible for Hendrix, an avowed lover of horses. His collection includes antique pre-Victorian Era pieces and bottled figures produced by liquor companies.
"Nuns and equestrians are hard to find now," said Hendrix. "Some of these nuns are worth a lot of money."
Hendrix's figurine collections also include over 140 of nudes, some of which date back to the 1920s.
Yet another collectible on display in Hendrix's house is a selection of antique framed portraits. He has 180 of them.
"I buy them for the portrait," he said. "The frame is a bonus."
"People ask, 'Why do you hang strangers in your house?' They're only strangers the first day. I make up names and stories to tell people about them."
Hendrix used to worry about what would become of his collections after he is gone. He has identified recipients for each collection – an appreciative grandson will inherit the nudes – but knows that his beneficiaries may not treasure every piece like he does.
"I'd kind of worried about that," he said. "A 95-year-old friend told me, 'I've enjoyed them in my life, so it doesn't matter.' I tell my kids it's something they can sell. There's always a collector for everything."
Admittedly limited in space, Hendrix is a more selective buyer these days. He still frequents the Pasadena City College Flea Market, mainly to talk with the dealers, but invariably buys something.
Hendrix holds periodic fund-raisers in his houses to benefit Casa de Amigos, giving the public an opportunity to purchase some of his surplus or simply view the enormity of his collections and his innovative design. The next event is tentatively planned for early 2009.
