What Is Collecting - Is It A Hobby Or An Obsession?

People collect, amass, store and hoard just aboutNow, is collecting an obsession or some form of
anything. Some are put up for display (like fine"pack rat fever?" The Webster's dictionary
art), yet, others remain in attics and basement,defines the word collect to mean "to gather
sealed away forever. People collect just about(stamps, books etc.) for a hobby." A collectible is
anything including: marbles, coins, politicalsomething "that can be collected, suitable for
memorabilia, cookie jars, autographs, sportscollections; as by a hobbyist-any class of old
memorabilia, jewelry, Pez dispensers, snow globes,things, but, not antiques, that people collect as a
stamps, vinyl records, sports cards, comic books,hobby." It further states that a collector is "a
toys, ceramics, jewelry.... why the list is endless.person who collects stamps, books, etc. as a
People have always collected something either ashobby." Products are also manufactured with
a hobby or an investment. In fact, one of the"collectibility" in mind, such as "limited edition" items
first American numismatists began collecting coinslike vinyl records, coins, art prints or even cookie
in 1817 and it was a collection of American centsjars.
from each year. But, coin collecting has a historyMoreover, the collectible's market has expanded in
going back to ancient times when the ancientrecent years and fueled by annual price guides,
Romans were interested in and collected Greekbooks on the subject, television shows, collectible
and Roman coins.conventions and Internet auction sites; the
There have been many famous people who havecollectible's market is now a global phenomenon.
collected one thing or another. It is reported thatThere are also professionals who specialize in a
a certain U.S. attorney has amassed a collectioncertain market and they share their expertise and
of more than 200,000 railroad nails and a Russianhelp to even value these collectibles. There is a
countess collected bedpans that had previouslyscience of sorts in how people "grade" certain
belonged to rich and famous people. King Louiscollectibles (i.e., mint, excellent, fair etc.) and most
XIV of France thoroughly enjoyed his daily visit toof the time condition is paramount. All these
the French Royal Coin Collection, noting that heelements drive the market and help create a
could 'always find something new to learn.' Indesirability factor for specific products and items.
addition, actor Buddy Ebsen, who portrayed theBut, the one element missing from the dictionary
loveable hillbilly Jed Clampett, was fond ofdefinition of "collecting" is the drive and passion
collecting ancient coins. The flamboyant rock starthat people may have for whatever they collect.
Freddie Mercury, of the band Queen, was an avidSo let's go a few steps further with our definition
stamp collector as a boy. Many famous musiciansof "collecting." Let's define it as: The art of
have huge vinyl record collections, including Peteracquiring items or products that you are
Buck (R.E.M.), Peter Wolf (of the J. Geils Band),specifically passionate about and want to retain,
and Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), just to nameeither for monetary gain or personal satisfaction.
a few.Let's explore this definition in detail.
Many collecting hobbies have "sub genres." ForIs there an art to collecting? There certainly is.
instance, collecting vinyl records can be dividedOne must know where to find exactly what it is
into any number of specific categories. One couldthat they are seeking. Let's assume you collect
collect specific genres of music (Big Band, Jazz,vinyl records. Is it best to place an advertisement
Classical, etc.) or be partial to a particular recordin a trade publication, local or national newspaper,
label such as Capitol, Reprise, RCA, Columbia andshop online, or pursue the rummage/garage sale
many others. Some may also collect 45's, picturemethods? What about going to the "record
discs, record sleeves, colored vinyl records,conventions" that are held in major cities all over
picture discs....well, you get the idea. It is wellthe country? Is that the best avenue to pursue?
known that famed pop artist Robert Crumb (whoThere is an art (some call it a science) to knowing
designed the famous album cover for Janis Joplin'swhere the best place is to find whatever
"Cheap Thrills" LP) was keen on collecting 78 rpmcollectible that you may be looking for.
records and had amassed quite a collection.Furthermore, in the dictionary definitions of
Maybe you know someone who collects Pezcollecting, a key term is missing, passion. There is
dispensers. They may have famous celebrities,a direct correlation to the drive and motivation a
cartoon characters, specific colored ones, andperson feels and how successful they may be in
different years of release and so on. Comic bookacquiring their collectibles. This is a very important
collectors could also collect a specific type ofelement, the enthusiasm a person has, the
comic, like super heroes, Archie comics, adultpassion, is what makes whatever they may be
comics, Disney comics or even black and whitecollecting, an enjoyable experience. And, obviously
comics from years gone by.the more they put into collecting, the more that
But, exactly why do people collect? They couldthey will get in return, not only in monetary
gain a measure of satisfaction and pleasure fromterms, but, simply put, the more fun they will
simply displaying the objects they collect.have pursuing their hobby.
Sometimes, it is the nostalgia bug that compelsSo next time you shake you're your head at
people to collect items from a specific era. Ityour spouse, friend or family member and call
could be an item that is associated with theirthem a "pack rat," remember that they are not
childhood, a famous person or a world famousonly passionate about what they are doing; but
event. Some collect because of the intrinsic valueactually find a great deal of excitement and
of an item, and the fact that the item may bepersonal satisfaction in doing what they are doing.
desirable to others and can command a profit ifIt is one of the most rewarding and pleasurable
they sold it. An item could also have a specificthings a person can do.
provenance that could compel interest.