I don’t think there’s any collector — or even a non-collector — who doesn’t know that the condition of an object affects its value. But…
I’m definitely one person who collects because she wants to use the items in her collection. Maybe I just don’t have anything with any real monetary value… But I don’t think that’s really it. I think it’s just my basic philosophy to honor the original intent & integrity of the object. At least wherever possible. And there are lots of possibilities…
Posters, even the paper kind, should be seen, not merely heard (about) in conversation with collectors. Yeah, you don’t want to tack them up directly on the wall, or use tape or that putty stuff; properly frame them to protect them, but let them be seen.
Vintage vases ought to hold fresh flowers — unless they are in such condition that they no longer hold water, then perhaps dried flowers, or at least be on display in a sunny place ready to put a smile on a face.
Working vintage mixers, should still be allowed to whip potatoes or or po-ta-tos, as the case may be. Their modern made versions mix a batter no better; and heck, now the new ones are even styled the same (but with a much bigger price tag).
Ditto most kitchen items & glassware.
Vintage and retro games were meant to be played. They’re verbs created to bring people together in play & active conversation, not be the passive nouns of lectures and bragging rights.
Old books & magazines were made to be read, more gently perhaps — certainly no dog-eared corners or splaying them open and face-down to mark where you left off. But read them. The stories remain as fine as ever — or maybe they are so outdated that they present a different sort of charm… The kind of works you read with a smug grin of, “Oh my how we’ve gown!” (Or maybe not!) And vintage cookbooks still have worthy meals.
Vintage purses, shoes, clothing, lingerie, & jewelry should be worn out & about, so that they may once again receive compliments from fashionistas who turn green with envy. They remain too vain to sit at home. Alone. With no one to fawn over them.
True, not all collectibles can be used. Vintage bus passes should not, could not, be tendered to get you from point A to point B as they once did. (Unless you count the profit from sales as such.) But there the irony is, like most ephemera, that leaving them tucked away in a drawer is rather what they were designed for.
And there are items too fragile to be put to use. Antique and even retro dolls should no longer be loved by little hands that drag them around by their hair… But they can still be dressed with care, on display with flare, for the season. And hugged every now & then too.
So stop thinking what to do with your collectibles; just let them do what comes naturally.
