I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit tired of (and frustrated by) declarations that collecting is bad; that it’s materialistic, and nothing more than bad consumerism. You know that I’ve ranted and raved the opposite, but in my desire to better separate collecting from poor consumer habits (and the related anti-consumerist movements and organizations) I figured you needed more than just my words. Or maybe I just needed to be validated. Anyway, I went looking for an expert.

And I found one: Professor Marina Bianchi.

Professor, please give us a brief biography of yourself.

I graduated in Rome, Faculty of Philosophy, with a thesis on the problem that things often have a particular value for their users that is not matched by their value (price) in the market. Very soon I was appointed as a researcher in the Faculty of Economics in Rome, La Sapienza. Now I am professor of Economics in the University of Cassino, where I teach Microeconomics and Industrial organization. I visit often The United States where my husband teaches Economics at Duke University. At the moment we are both teaching a course in Venice entitled The Economics of Creative Goods, where we explore the characteristics of both the production and the consumption of creative goods and activities (from movies to fashion, from videogames to books).

Please describe your work/study.

I was always interested in the problem of the choices individuals make: whether they are efficient (or rational as economists say), how learning and skills affect hem, and how they change through social interaction. At first I studied the role of entrepreneurship and competition in generating change and innovation. Later I discovered how important, though sadly neglected in economics, is the often innovative roles played by consumers. My theoretical tools mixed philosophy, game theory, psychology, and economic history.

I read your papers, but I would like confirmation that I am understanding them correctly… Would you briefly define/describe the following areas of your studies:

*consumer choice theory
*preference formation, the role of novelty in consumption & satisfaction

I soon realized that consumers too have entrepreneurial abilities. They take advantage of unexploited opportunities and create novel solutions to problems in the pursuit of their own wellbeing, just as entrepreneurs do in the pursuit of profits. Think of the re-discovery of past trends, or of quite fresh ways for dressing, that can come from the street; or of the original and unique ways one can combine elements in music, or furniture, or clothes and accessories. Think too of consumer-created products such as YouTube, Flickr, or MySpace. Consumers also adapt things made available by producers in completely unexpected, creative ways: for example, new model creation by fans of Lego; downloading and file-sharing via cell phones.

In studying consumer choice I try to emphasize the active role of consumers. In this process of creation of new alternatives on the part of consumers, I also stress how preferences change and become more refined. Why should change and innovation be the preserve of producers and be assumed to come only within the organizational framework of firms and corporations? Whereas most economists tend to assume preferences are given and explain choices as due to changes in relative prices or income, I posit a much more restless, exploratory role for consumers.

How & when did you find yourself specializing in the areas you do?

Individual choices are at centre stage in economics but, strangely, individual preferences and motivations are never analysed. Motivation and preferences have been left to others – psychologists, sociologists – to explain and document. They are considered too inscrutable and subjective for a precise and exact science as economics wants to be. But I was always curious about individual motivations and thought that there was something important missing here.

By looking at what other disciplines had to say about motivations I discovered why novelty, variety, complexity, surprise and even uncertainty play such an important role in choices. Take novelty, for example. Do we find the repetition of a single note in music pleasurable? No. Not that unbounded change and novelty is pleasant either. But novelty, within recognizable bounds, is associated with positive feelings of pleasure and the same is true with variety and the other properties I just mentioned. When you read a novel or watch a movie, or listen to a story, why do you like it so much? Because while the plot with its characters gives you the reassurance of a frame of reference, the unfolding of the plot with its suspense, surprises, and new twists gives you the thrill and stimulation of novelty. So it is with collecting: we organize our collections and constantly re-order them too. Each order we impose gives the items a sense or meaning; yet each additional item is new and exciting, whether it adds something different within an order or provokes a re-thinking of that order. This is why collecting can become such a passion.

I found you searching for something more positive on collecting and consumerism. Seems there are quite a few blaming consumerism for darn near everything, and other than a few concessions that collecting can be a good thing for its recycling points, most see collecting as a negative hobby or activity. Do you see collecting as a purely consumerist activity? Is all consumerism ‘bad’?

You correctly infer, from my writings but also from what I have just said, that I am very impatient with those who caste consumers in the role of victim – the dupes of advertisers – or active consumers as aberrant: going overboard in acquisition or exhibiting a kind of mania as collectors. Clearly there can be excess in the consumption of things as there can be in the imbibing of food or drink. But it is unreflective to take the pursuit of variety and change, as in fashion, as due only to a search for status, or to jump from observing careless or wasteful consumption to calling for a new era of frugality and restraint. I do not see consumption as an activity that destroys rather than creates and production as something nobler.

It is true that in order to be more enjoyable and creative consumption must be skilled consumption: you must know the goods and experiences you are consuming. But, the more consumption will be thought of as inferior or wasteful, the less prepared we will be in acquiring the skills necessary for creative consumption. Fortunately things are changing, and fast. The communities of interacting consumers that form through the internet in a variety of new and ingenious ways are very important for the creation of skilled consumers. And in many ways we see them leading producers and opening up new potential for living lives of satisfaction.

Do you yourself collect anything?

Yes. In the past I collected ‘forties dresses and costume jewellery. More recently I have developed a real passion for bakelite bangles. It started by chance and soon I discovered how infinitely combinable and variable they were. Unfortunately for me many others have discovered the same so that they have become very expensive. But this is the destiny of many collectables and it does not destroy the possibility and the joy of finding a never-before-seen piece at a price that you are willing to pay. Moreover, extraordinary substitutes are being used in creative ways by designers, which introduces new consumers to the pleasure of this pursuit at more affordable prices.

Fundamentally, is there much difference between ‘research’ and ‘collecting’?

I think that between intellectual or scientific research and collecting there are many things in common. In research, as in collecting, we have a frame of reference that provides the organizing guide and that gives shape to problems or challenges and tells us where to look for possible solutions. And also in research the aim is to conquer something new that reshapes one’s organizing framework and opens new paths. But collecting is more playful, light, and pleasurable in every phase. Enjoying your collection is as pleasurable as when you are searching for a new addition to it, and the difficulties you meet only increase the final enjoyment. Buying an already made collection would destroy half the pleasure. Research is more costly in terms of intellectual efforts and discipline, but, yes, the principles are the same!

So there you have it, folks: Collecting isn’t bad. As a collector you can be an educated consumer, be helping the economy, be creative, and, actually be living a satisfying life. Who knew? Well, actually, we collectors already knew that. But now you have some research to back you up.

Steven contacted Collin regarding a psychology course assignment on collecting and hoarding. Since Collin and I had just been discussing this very subject, Collin directed Steven to contact me as well. I thought it might be more fun (and embarrassing), as well as helpful to Steven, if I replied to his questions here. Feel free to put your answers in the comments (or contact me via email and I’ll put you in touch with Steven).

When did you first start collecting? Around what age was this?

I can’t recall a time when I wasn’t collecting in some sense… I come from a family of collectors/dealers; similarly I’ve been buying to keep and sell (including buying to keep for a bit then sell), even as a child.

Would define your collections as being orderly? That is they are clean, relatively tidy? Are most of your other possessions organized or just your collections?

There is little tidy & organized in this house. Things may be grouped (books by subject, figurines together) yet covered in dust… or just as easily, things shelved or boxed, but not with any real organization other than “stored”. Even household things, I fear, are similarly so: dishes in cupboards, but mail in piles on the counter; books on shelves, but also open and read on tables and nightstands; for all the vintage sewing patterns correctly stored, there are sewing projects “in process” on the sewing machine. This household consists of interesting, active people who live, create and collect more than we clean & present.

Around how much, estimated, do you think you’ve spent on your collections? That isn’t to say the total value (because some things may be found or accepted as presents) but how much you personally have spent in total. Also perhaps a monthly expenditure.

I’d have no real idea on this in terms of total… Not only is it a lot of years, but we buy things at auction in lots, keeping a few items for ourselves and selling the rest… Also as we have a very tight budget, we have no set amount for spending. When we have $20 we head to book sales, rummage at thrift stores, auctions etc., but it’s strictly what money is available to “blow”.

Have you ever gone in debt because of collecting?

No.

What would your reaction be if your home were broken into and your collections were stolen?

It would be similar to the loss of photo albums and family scrapbooks for many of my collections. Some, however, are less important. But who would want to be robbed of anything?

Along the same lines, what if your family sold off some of your collection.

Are we talking a truck in the middle of the night — while I am alive?! That would not be acceptable. If after I pass, well, I’d hope the kids would keep what held memories (some of my favorite pieces, those on display they remember fondly) and that they would at least know there is value in the items and consider museums and private collections rather than donating or even undervaluing it at a sale on the front lawn… But I don’t expect all of my things to carry the same weight with anyone else as they do for me, even my kids.

Would you sell your collection for a reasonable amount of money?

Reasonable being relative, that’s pretty difficult to answer. Some, yes; others no… Well, everyone has their price, I suppose, so it might be more accurate to say that there are some collections or items which could only be sold at above market prices.

Do you think you will ever stop collecting?

No.

However, part of my collecting is research oriented and I can’t imagine a day when neither the hunt for the object nor the desire to learn more about something ends. I think losing such interest and desire would literally mean the end of me.

How do you feel when people take a negative tone towards collecting?

One one hand I feel sorry for them — they miss thrills I adore. On the other hand, that means less competition for me. lol

But I also think lots of people aren’t aware that they are indeed collectors… They would rationalize a shelf of books as research, a stack lot of postcards as documentation of the town’s history, or a box of things as preserving family history — but still not say they are a collector.

How would you feel if you were classified as having OCD? Do you think there is a relationship between hoarding and collecting?

Having a special needs child, I’ve spent hours & hours in waiting rooms & reading about mental illnesses, and I am of the opinion that it’s all on a continuum. In this case, the need to collect and store is rather normal and the trait has direct ties to human survival. We see this in food mostly clearly.

While my boxes of junk are less important in that vital sense, accumulation with a purpose (from warn fuzzy memories to the soft and fuzzy definition of one’s collection) is very natural. Many, including myself, would say that these sorts of collections are about preserving history, culture, and the story of humankind; which is our collective survival in a sense. Yes, even if it is silly toys from your childhood or plates depicting pop stars.

I think the distinctions for a real mental illness have to do with awareness, perception, and how much this affects your life, particularly in a negative way. In the case of hoarding, the clinical distinction is made when a person not only feels too much pain to part with something they can’t state a need for, let alone a reason for having it, but also cannot see how this has negatively impacted their lives — or if they have, cannot find a way to part with the objects. In Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the action just replaces the object. (Grossly over-simplified, but the general gist.)

Sometimes the distinctions can be as tricky as “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” For example, have you ever seen Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson & Julia Roberts? In the film, Mel’s character confesses that he often is compulsively driven to purchasing copies of The Catcher In The Rye. He’s never read the book, but he finds purchasing a copy is one of the few things that makes him feel normal.

On one hand, this compulsion is odd, and certainly outside of his control; but on the other, his “habit” isn’t ruining him financially or otherwise. If it is but one symptom, it’s likely not such an issue. If combined with others, or taken to such extremes that buying multiple copies of books not read (nor likely to be read) affects the ability to pay rent, hold a job, interact with others etc., then it’s “a problem.” And I don’t just say that as the owner of books she may never read, including multiple copies of such books; I’m not rationalizing. It really is a matter of degrees.

Do you know of others who may have taken collecting too far?

I think we’ve all met people who have priorities different than our own, and it’s difficult to really know what “too far” is… If children aren’t being fed, if a collection has better storage facilities than people have shelter, then I’d say there’s something out of whack. But if a person prefers 500 salt & pepper shakers rather than the newest car model, or a vacation; or 300 figurines to stocks, or art another would call “an investment”; who are we to judge how they should spend their money?

Any final thoughts?

I’ve joked about all this, even wondered about it (for) myself somewhat seriously. I mean, what’s the point of all this stuff I have? Is it selfish? Is it crazy? But I’m beginning to believe that it’s none of those things because no one suffers for it. Not even me.

I can part with things; even if it’s only to sell one thing to have the money or space for five other things. I know the old line, addicts saying they can quit anytime they want to — they just don’t want to, but I feel in this case it’s true. If I stopped hunting for things and their stories, I’d be bored, and a lot less interesting. And I’d only read more to get that thirst sated. Who’s to say reading as escape, or researching in books, is any more important than questing for objects? Either way, your brain, soul, and shelves are full.

And I don’t mean, in any way, to imply that one collection is better than another — that comic books are less than non-fiction tomes, or that new action figures are less important than documents. Because the way I’m beginning to see things is that the act of collecting is about questing… It’s about finding more than objects, but answers.

Perhaps what we’re all doing, ultimately, is seeking the answer to “Why do I collect this?” And that answer is individual, unique. My answer will be different than your answer — even if we covet & collect the same “junk”. The joy is in finding that answer. Which is why collectors often change collections — they’ve answered one question and are off on a new question, a new quest. And this simply refutes the idea of a mental illness; for what can be more healthy than self-knowledge?

Now, Steven, Collin & myself would all love to find out what you think; so post your comments.

I meet a lot of interesting collectors, who also just happen to be as interesting and unique as their collections, and I thought perhaps you’d like to get to hear their thoughts on collecting. (This is an ongoing series, so if you’d like to participate, please email me.)

What do you collect — and what is the most common reply you hear when you tell people about your collection? (Yes, blank stares and laughs are acceptable replies!)

Collin David: (Sure, you know him from this very blog; but sometimes it’s fun to also be the interviewee. He also can be found at his own blog, ResonantFish.com, and in the CQ Community.)

#1 Among other things: I primarily collect Batman stuff and action figures of all kinds. Secondary (but still scary) collections include vinyl records, art, robots, squid, DVDs and videos, trade paperback comics, Legos, gaming miniatures, trading cards, all kinds of books, scrap pieces of plastic, wood, metal and beyond, instruments. I’m actually slimming down a bit due to space concerns. And when I say ‘concerns’, I mean ‘am I going to be crushed in the night?’

Shelley Brice-Boyle: (Is also known as sweet*cherry*pops, the delightful seller behind Sweet Cherry Vintage Lingerie.)

#2 I collect and wear vintage lingerie, and totally passionate about it. I collect everything from bras, panties, slips, negligee’s and peignoir sets, anything from the 1930’s to the 1980’s. I not only sell it, I wear it, live it, dream it! When I tell people I collect vintage lingerie, they look at me with an expression of “Huh?” and “Why?”

Marty Weil: (The award-winning journalist, SEO content strategist, and editor/publisher of ephemera, a blog that explores the world of old paper; he was recently interviewed here at CQ, and can also be found in the CQ community.)

#3 For the most part, people have not heard of ephemera, but when I tell them it’s old paper, they perk up. There are a lot of people who collect old paper, but they don’t know it. They have drawers full of vernacular photographs or old menus or postcards. All of these things are considered ephemera, and once people realize the scope of it, they can see that it touches just about everyone.

Angela: (She owns Dorothea’s Closet, a virtual and real-world vintage clothing shop.)

#4 Satin boudoir slippers from the 50’s and older (primarily older, and I am most interested in Daniel Green pieces, but look for Oomphies as well as a few other labels). Advertisements and other paraphernalia as well. Typically people don’t even know what they are as the art of glamorous lounging is no longer practiced, sadly. I don’t collect fuzzy old lady slippers, these boudoir slippers are shoes meant to be worn indoors but meant to be seen…worn with silk and satin hostess gowns when entertaining at home.

Mary Ann Cade: (The lady who was interviewed here and here. She can also be found in the CQ community.)

#5 I collect many different kinds of things. I collecting movie and television props, and have a huge prop jewelry collection. I collect Henry VIII items and I collect things that I remember from childhood, dolls I had as a child, movies, television shows, etc., as well as silent films. Many of my things fascinate people but I do get those stares from people that question if I am eccentric or just a nut.

What two characteristics or personal traits you feel are essential to being a collector?

# 6 Mary Ann: I feel that you need to be collecting things you are interested in, not collecting items that everyone else is collecting, just to be part of a group. Dedication to collecting is important without going overboard or crazy about it. The best part of collecting something is getting the item for a bargain and not letting your heart rule your head.

(She’ll have to teach me how to do that!)

# 7 Collin: I wanted to say ‘disposable income’, but then I recalled my growing collections of feathers and dead bugs and scrap metal and wood and how gloriously free they were. I think that a collector needs to have a desire to hunt - not even acquire, just the excitement of discovery of something rare or unusual within a set theme.

A second characteristic would have to be the ability to organize and stay organized, because collecting takes up space. Being able to understand and monitor that space is essential to a successful collection.

(OK, I’m going to have to debate him on this one day; “organization” is not one of the strong-suits ’round here…)

# 8 Shelley: I feel you are a collector if you are very passionate about something. You see it, you get butterflies in your tummy. You see it, you have to have it. You see it, it’s your’s. You see it, and you want more and more of it.

(That’s more like me — let’s just hope Shelley & I won’t ever be vying for the same bit of vintage lingerie!)

# 9 Marty: It’s funny that you ask… I’ve actually done some research on this subject, and I wrote an article called the Highly Effective Habits of Collectors. The seven traits I identified, based on interview with dozens and dozens of collectors, were patience, persistence, scholarship, understanding, preserveration, Internet savvy, and fraternity with other collectors.

Did you ever get an item for your collection so cheaply that you felt like a thief? Ever stumble into such a great find that your fingers shook when you picked it up?

# 10 Angela: Bright lipstick red satin wedges with black deco piping and braided buttons on the vamp, 40s, in mint condition as well (and my size!). I had been hunting them for years but only found them on high end sites at prices out of my range. These I spotted at a antique fair in the streets of a local neighborhood and the woman selling them looked at me as I picked them up and said, “Those are so pretty, but you know they’re not vintage.”  Pretty? Absolutely. Not vintage? Only if you don’t consider something vintage unless its 75 years old!! It’s likely the flawless condition that threw her off. But lucky me! They were TEN dollars!

As a collector, what is one thing you cannot live without? (Not the objects/items themselves, but other things related to collecting, such as ’space’, ‘acid free paper’, ‘eBay’ etc.)

#11 Marty: The Internet.

#12 Shelley: Estate sales and clothing racks.

#13 Collin: I’d like to think that I’m entering a place where I don’t ‘need’ anything. In my current state, I do need space like crazy. If I had to stop collecting? It would be a really bad shell-shock, but I think I’d live and throw myself immediately into something else. Like a freeway.

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[I began talking with Jef on Wednesday. Click here to read part one!]

CD : I see that you’ve have an affection for the Technic sets along with the basic LEGO. What’s your excuse? Is there a preference, or are they all awesome?

jeffwith1f : It’s all part of the same system. That’s perhaps the most remarkable thing about LEGO. A piece of LEGO from the 60’s will click onto a piece of LEGO made today, which will even snap onto a DUPLO block, or can be integrated with Technic, or MindStorms, or Bionicle or even the weird, vaguely Connex-like Znap stuff from a couple years back. It’s all part of an integrated system of elements, all of which work together interchangeably. It is truly an awesome feat of engeneering that standards set with basic bricks back in the late 40’s have been able to be held both constant, yet continually expanded to the play system we have available today with LEGO.

CD : Have you used the LEGO Digital Designer?

jeffwith1f : Never used any of the digital designer stuff, I had no real interest in MindStorms, I am even wary of the kits that have electric motors and battery boxes (although I do have many). I am a purist for the hands on, all plastic experience, and despise toys that require batteries to be enjoyed, so I avoid them where possible. I think the best LEGO can be enjoyed by any child, without access to a computer, and will keep running on imagination power, long after a battery powered toy would be waiting for a refill.

CD : The ‘no battery’ thing is a great philosophy, and one that’s being adapted by a lot of small, new companies all around - but I have to say that the Digital Designer is a great way to play if you’re low on bricks! Seeing as how these ARE expensive items, what’s the most you’ve spent on a set?

jeffwith1f : Recently I picked up the Millennium Falcon Ultimate Collectors Set, it ran me something like $750 after taxes. Ouch. It also took 6 months from order to arrival time. It took me 38 hours to put together (I did time lapse photography) and it currently sits on my desk at work, where I get a lot ot strange looks from people, but it’s great geek bait.

CD : Are you a completist, or do you just pursue the things you like?

jeffwith1f : A bit of both. I obviously can’t purchase everything that LEGO makes, but I do try to keep complete collections within my interests. I try to get most, if not all, of the Technic line available at any given time, and until 2 years ago, I had complete Star Wars lines, as well as the first three sets of Harry Potter Lego. I also tend to buy anything that is aviation related that LEGO makes, as model airplanes are another hobby and I appreciate the cross-over.

CD : Do you have a ‘holy grail’ set that you’d like to find? What’s been your greatest find while hunting for LEGO?

jeffwith1f : I’d really really like to find the Technic Seaplane # 8855. I see them from time to time, but for some reason I never feel like I have the [money] to get it at the time.

CD : Has your collection of LEGO brought you anywhere interesting? Met anyone?

jeffwith1f : It’s pretty much been a labour of love in isolation as an adult, although I do bring some of the things I make to work and decorate my office space with them, which usually elicits some conversation. I did get to be on Television though. I answered a Craigslist ad looking for collectors of LEGO that my wife forwarded to me. As it turns out, a locally produced television show called “Collectors Showdown” on the Treasure HD channel, available on Bell ExpressVu, was looking for a pair of LEGO fans to pit against each other in a test of skills and knowledge. I seemed to fit the bill. I ended up going head to head against a mother of two who was, believe it or not, a larger fan of LEGO than me, and while I held my own, she handily beat me at both the test of skills and the test of knowledge. She was awesome, and it was nice to be able to talk LEGO to someone that didn’t glaze over as I started to ramble on about kits from the catalogue a decade ago. Even the staff at the LEGO store were not really able to keep up with me on that front - they know current items, not so much items offered in the mid 90’s. It was a good day out, I had no problem losing to my worthy opponent fair and square. As an added bonus, the television show is on a channel that no one I know sees, so I’m fairly certain I dodged a bullet there.

CD : Are you a member of the Brickmaster Club? I found it to be very rewarding.

jeffwith1f : Nope. LEGO fan in a vaccum. I seem to recall signing up for some LEGO community site shortly after the show because my opponent belonged, but honestly I never go.

CD : LEGO aren’t your only collection. What else do you collect?

jeffwith1f : My other primary collections are Guitars - I have 23 at the moment - and Diecast airplanes… almost too many to count.

I seem to go through phases that last about 3-4 months where one particular one is grabbing my attention most, and I take some of my discretionary income (of which I am fortunate to have some…I am not rich though) and pick up some items in my current sphere of interest. I have been on a guitar kick for the last while though. I recently came into a very rare Gibson Moderne, that I had been looking for for at least 14 years (I nearly fell over when I saw one in the store, it was the first one I had seen that wasn’t a picture), I had to sell a couple of other instruments in order to afford it as it was quite dear, and I currently have a very odd Gibson Reverse Explorer on order arriving in the fall, which should give me time to save up for it.

CD : With your love of LEGO, planes, and Lego planes, is there any interest in constructing a LEGO guitar? I’ve seen some interesting mods!

jeffwith1f : I did start to build a LEGO flying V, but found that I did not have enough wing elements to make up the body and get the angles quite right. I did not want to butcher too many kits to do it, so that’s a project that’s on hold for the time being, but it has crossed my mind that If I have crossed my love of LEGO and aircraft, why not LEGO and guitars? One day….

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After talking to Jef, it confirmed my suspicions that some of us, if trapped on an isolated island in the middle of the sea and limited to three items (real or imagined), would want to bring along food, or water, or a boat. LEGO Maniacs, provided with an infinite supply of LEGO, would have a great time building shelter, devising Technic fishing rods to catch fish autonomously, and organizing a vast water collection system, all out of LEGO.

I’ve already started the sketches, just in case.

Mary Ann Cade is the silent film researcher & collector interviewed here, but that’s not all she collects; and her huge prop jewelry collection includes more than the jewelry Theda Bara wore in Cleopatra, but jewelry worn in some of your favorite classic TV shows too.

Thirteen Divine Retro Jewelry Props

Mary says that these jewelry props are not specified as to who wore them on the show. “An extra, supporting cast or star could have worn any of them,” she says. “These are the best ones to buy because they are usually cheaper than if it’s identified that it was ’star owned or worn.’ That usually drives the price up, unfortunately. The best part is watching the episodes to see if you happen to see the piece.”

#1 Ginger or Mary Ann? This brooch from Gilligan’s Island could have been worn by either lady, or (my dad’s favorite) Lovey Howell… Maybe even that chimp that won the beauty contest wore it. We won’t know until we watch every episode, looking for it.

#2 I Dream of Jeannie, with the rhinestone elephant bracelet. A very cool piece.

#3 Of course you need a matching elephant pin. Or at least a coordinating one — also from I Dream of Jeannie.

#4Genies need bracelets and bangles. Here’s another pretty bracelet from I Dream of Jeannie.

#5 Jeannie must have given herself lots of wishes… For jewelry. Mary too. *wink* Here’s a gold brooch with gemstones.

#6 Mary really “hearts” I Dream of Jeannie. This pair of silver heart-shaped earrings isn’t the end of Mary’s I Dream of Jeannie jewelry collection either. “I have some really cool pieces that I don’t have photos of, one is a long scabbard sword pin with matching bracelet from Jeannie (my sister said Mrs. Bellows wore them in an episode).”

#7 Watching… Up Close & Personal. A watch from the 1996 film, starring Robert Redford, Michelle Pfeiffer, & Stockard Channing, which was inspired by the story of Jessica Savitch.

#8 Women roared in the ’80s film Nine to Five.  The film stared Dabney Coleman, Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, & Lily Tomlin and that’s where this lion clock pin was from.

#9 Eight Is Not Enough. A pretty rhinestone pin from Eight Is Enough. (A very 80’s look for a show that ended in 1981 — proof that the show was ahead of its time, at least in accessories.)

#10 Witches need jewelry too.  And this bewitching bracelet is from Bewitched.

#11 I’ve always thought of witches as “timeless”… But someone on the set of Bewitched needed a watch.

#12 What would classic TV be without a woman wearing pearls?  This pearl necklace came from the Bewitched set.

#13 Lucky 13, that is. Samantha wore this. Mary has one of the copies of the Bewitched necklace Elizabeth Montgomery is wearing in this photo. “The one I have is one of the copies of her originals that was worn on the show after the original was lost during the series run. I put mine on a longer chain and have both the original chain and the heart charm. It is one of my prized pieces.”

(You can read more about this necklace here.)

What did we learn today, kids? Well, for one thing, if your spouse spends hours staring at the chests of actress on these classic TV shows, he (or she) might just be doing some collecting research for jewelry props. So there. Phhffftt.

Many thanks, again, to Mary for sharing her collection. You can find Mary Ann Cade in the CQ Community. She also can be contacted at cadesmall@sbcglobal.net or mcade@ccmsi.com.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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