In my opinion, most collectors of vintage tools here on GJ and elsewhere fall into three categories:
(1) Strictly as collectibles to display, discuss, research and simply admire as artifacts of automotive and industrial history and American know-how and might
(2) Strictly as users, because they're well-designed, well-made, and durable tools that feel good in the hand, and because they're being used on vintage cars with imperial sizes.
(3) Somewhere in between.
Vintage Plomb, along with many other brands, including Snap-on, Bonney, Williams, and Blackhawk, and even lesser known brands, such as Duro-Chrome, Cornwell and Herbrand, were very high quality tools. (of course there is also the thrill of finding treasure too)
Personally, I am mainly in category 1, and sometimes in category 3. For some jobs, only the vintage tool is the right tool to use. But I tend to treat them with the kind of handling that the accessories in King Tut's tomb get.