Collections!

Mary Ann

My family is a family of collectors!  We love the thrill of the “chase” for that next piece.  My brother use to say as we pulled up to a flea market, “Are you salivating yet?”  We were, so the quest began! 

There is a saying that is the ethos of my family.  If you have one of anything, it is a sample.  If you have two of something, you a sample and a backup should the sample break.  And if you have three of something, you have a collection.  We live by that saying.   

We are hunters and gathers by nature that is deep in our DNA, and I think it translates to collecting in modern times.  It is fun to wile away the hours on a weekend jaunt to a flea market or an antique mall or investigating local garage sales.  And when you find a treasure that you have been searching for, the joy is indescribable!  Whatever the price, it is cheaper than therapy and so much more fun!

When I was little, my mother would take my brother and me with her on her treasure hunting.  I hated it. I was soooooo bored.  I swore that I would not have antiques in my home, or I would never collect anything.  However, I did have a stamp collection and porcelain dog collection.  Then, of course, there was Barbie.  Around the time I turned 25, I had an epiphany – antiques are beautiful!  The collecting began, and I never looked back.  My mother started buying 3 of everything – antique rolling pins or potato mashers or whatever.  I couldn’t get enough.  My brother was far ahead of me.  He and his partner have a gigantic Fiesta Ware collection that pales anything I have

So, the house filled, and I collected doorstops, chocolate molds, napkin rings, all kinds of kitchen items, baskets, crocks, rug beaters, opera glasses, prints, post cards, sheet music, baby items, doorknobs, linens, quilts, book markers, antique jewelry and bags, old cameras, bamboo furniture, Annalee dolls, and a huge collection of Candlewick that fills two big cabinets.  I am sure I am missing some. I know I have a problem, and what is funny, I am now downsizing many of the collections in my Swedish Death Cleaning.  

My children or grandchildren will not want most of the items.  I might as well sell the collections if I can get a good price.  You must find a buyer, however. Case in point is my Barbie.  I was older when Barbie came on the scene.  I took very good care of the doll, her clothes, her furniture, and accessories.  I then carried her around the country with me for 60 plus years.  I finally decide to sell her. I got two appraisals, so I had some idea of her value.  A toy dealer is now selling her for me.  She hasn’t found a new home yet!   

Ebay and other like sites are now the new marketplace.  It is fun to peruse the various sites, and I have found items on them.  However, there is something missing when you cannot touch an item as you hunt for pieces.  Many young people are beginning to have epiphanies themselves about the beauty of antiques and the thrill of collecting.  It fits well with sustainability and is helping the earth.  Do you really need flimsy Ikea furniture when you can have solid wooden furniture with dove-tailed drawers and gorgeous patina?  Old furniture was made to last.   

Women of certain age understand this.  For many of us, we are the keepers of the family treasures.  The antiques are passed down and stop with us.  Then what? You debate to find new homes among the relatives or keep it because it is piece of your family.   I finally have concluded that I am going to enjoy my collections, my antiques as long as I can.  Whoever gets the pieces afterwards, even if they are not family, will be people who really want them.  It will be a fellow collector, and could that be any better?  

Note – There are some good collection books available that will give you ideas for collections and how to display them.  Collections Projects & Ideas from Better Homes and Garden, Collector’s Style, Decorating With the Things You Love from Better Homes and Garden, and Victoria’s The Art of Collecting, Personal Treasures That Make a Home by Melissa Lester.  There are many books on a particular collection such as Fiesta Ware.  They will give you in depth info on your collections.