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Collectors and Their Collections ! 

What makes a person become an avid collector?

Psychiatrists have posited all sorts of motivations for collecting. Fundamentally, however, collectors collect things they enjoy because they enjoy collecting. Some people are just drawn to a particular item that interests them. Some collect items having a special significance in their lives. Many begin collecting in childhood and either continue the childhood collection or move on to different collectibles. Many have more than one collection. Some even begin collecting accidentally, such as when she notices that she has five perfume bottles grouped on her dresser and realizes she would enjoy acquiring more of them.

The two basic joys of collecting are the appreciation of the items you have and the excitement of the quest for a missing item. Collecting also involves sharing your collection with others, comparing experiences with other collectors, and educating yourself about your collectibles. There are also the pleasures of organizing, displaying, and cleaning your collectibles. For example, a doll collector may enjoy separating her doll clothes into drawers for formal, informal, beach, and wedding attire.

Collecting became easier with the advent of the online auction eBay. Now, collectors are not limited to local dealers, flea markets, and shows but have access to sellers world-wide. Technology has also affected collecting. The internet opened the door to a vast amount of information about collectibles. There are online discussion groups for those interested in a particular collectible. Many people use computer spreadsheets to keep a record of their items and to sort them for various attributes.

Displaying Collectibles

Although some collectors are content to pack their collectibles away in boxes, many others want to incorporate their collections into their daily lives. The challenge is to display the collection in a home. As a general rule, collectibles look better grouped together than randomly scattered throughout the house.

Small items placed on flat surfaces such as dressers, desks, and side tables tend to look cluttered. These can be hung in a wall shelf or glass case that becomes a focal point. Curio cabinets are ideal for displaying many collections. A curio cabinet also protects your collectibles from dust, dirt, and potential damage. Display cases are specially designed for some collectibles, such as baseballs, flags, thimbles, matches, and marbles. Some collectors are even fortunate enough to have an entire room for their collectibles.

If space does not permit you to display all your collectibles at one time, rotate your collection so that you can enjoy all the items periodically.

Collecting Pitfalls to Avoid:

Financial responsibility trumps buying a new item for your collection every time. Set aside money for your collection after paying bills, mortgages, and savings.

? Get help immediately if you become obsessed with your collection. You are obsessed if you can’t stop yourself from purchasing items or if your collection begins to affect your ability to participate in everyday life.

? Remember that your collectibles are inanimate objects and your family and friends are people. Don’t make your family feel like they are being crowded out by all the collectibles.

Tips for Collectors

? The challenge to collect every item in a particular set of items appeals to some collectors. If you want to complete a collection, narrow the scope of your collection to a subset of items that you particularly treasure. Collecting all coins minted in the U.S. would also be difficult at best. To narrow your collection, you may decide to collect U.S. pennies from 1900 to 2000. For a wealthy collector, collecting some of the rarest coins, such as all coins minted at the Charlotte Mint in North Carolina, might be a realistic goal.

As tempted as you may be, do not start a collection for someone else with the expectation that he or she will want to continue it. For example, a grandmother may start a collection of cups and saucers for her infant granddaughter. Unfortunately, the odds of her granddaughter being at all interested in cups and saucers, let alone in collecting them, are remote.

? Consider what will happen to your treasured collection when you die or become unable to maintain it. There may be a family member who will be interested in inheriting the collection. Absent an interested family member, many collectors want their collections to be sold so that the items ultimately wind up in the hands of other collectors who will value them.  Whatever you decide, make specific provision in your will or trust for the disposition of your collection.

? Unpack seasonal collections well before the holiday so that you can enjoy them longer. For example, make a note to bring out your Christmas village collection on December 1 each year. Unpack a collection of Easter eggs on Lent.

? Do not collect for investment as opposed to the love of an item. The market for particular collectibles is unpredictable. You may end up with a collection of things that not only do not interest you but also are worth less than you paid for them.

Conclusion;

Collecting is a fun, challenging rewarding hobby enjoyed by young and old. Collectors amass, display, and appreciate their collections. If you avoid becoming obsessed with your collection, collecting can be a rewarding pastime.
This article discusses the nature of collectors and the display of collections. The article also points out some collecting pitfalls to avoid and provides tips that can make collecting more enjoyable.

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Tags: Coin Collections, Collectables, Collectibles, Gift Collectibles, Gifts, Irish Collectibles, Military Collectibles, Old West Collectibles, Rare Collectibles

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This entry was posted on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Collectables, Collectibles, Gifts, Gifts for Dad, Irish Collectibles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.