Who is believed to be the first ML collector and when did they start?

Answer:

Joe Hill, proprietor of Good Books in Hercules, CA, started collecting in the early 1970's.  Joe was kind enough to sit down with the Amenities beat reporter for an interview:

MLA: Joe, when did you start to collect the ML?

JH: I don't know the year I started collecting the series, early 70's. The good stuff was still out there. Knowledgeable dealers were asking me, why I was collecting cheap reprints.

MLA: Ah, yes; those 'cheap' reprints.  So, how many books are in your ML collection?

JH: The number of titles is not what turns me on. What does is having both the B&L and ML Inc. Jorn Uhl in VG DJ's. To try and make it short, I am lacking about a dozen titles.

MLA: I think I may now know someone with both B&L and ML Uhl's.  Well, when would you consider your collection complete?

JH: If I could find a copy of War In The Air and the 2nd Edition of The Holy Bible, I feel that I would have met my goal....but fat chance!  It is also very hard to judge "complete".

MLA: Any other comments on collecting the ML?

JH: Here is a curve ball for you; how many ML collectors do you think have a copy of The Quiet American complete with the ERRATUM?

MLA: With the erratum?  What erratum?  This sounds like a new trivia question.  Thank you for your time, Joe.