Why Collect?
04.01.07By Deanna Dahlsad
Not only is is obvious (and lame) to say that the reasons for collecting are as varied as the collections themselves, but I’ve already discussed that the meaning and purpose of collecting is rather personal and defined by the individual. However, I find the limitlessness of replies to the question, “Why collect?’” fascinating.
Some collect as a hobby, much like gardening, doing puzzles or playing an instrument; it’s an activity. Maybe even an educational activity.
Some are thrill seekers who see hunting for and biding on objects as far more thrilling than gambling because you leave with something no matter how much you spend. Others see collecting as an investment, where each object will increase in value or the sum total of the lot is worth more than each individual piece. Or maybe it’s just cheaper to get the ‘old used pens’ than to buy new ones at the store.
But others collect not so much for the activity or economic reasons as for the objects themselves.
The objects sought may simply be to reclaim what they lost, or what they never had. It’s the completion and perfection of their own personal histories they seek. It’s reclaiming something they lost, or never had, which makes them feel more complete themselves.
Some collect for ‘the bigger picture.’ They preserve history. Some objects when gathered together tell the history of specific groups, reflect specific periods of time, or keep a corporate history.
Other collections are objects which when gathered together provide details not just of what did happen, but also what’s happening now; they are both past and present. Maybe even the future?
Others collect things because together the seemingly unrelated objects tell a story — even if that story is hard to define. (Maybe the story is not complete yet? Or maybe I am just rationalizing my passion for stuff… Who can tell for certain?)
Some collections may begin with questions and the objects themselves are proof of answers. Some of these collections may be scientific, or a way to justify concerns; others are more mystical. Some may prove the collector ‘right,’ others may prove the collector ‘wrong,’ and still others may just prove that the quest continues.
For some collectors, theirs is a solo collection. They alone define and refine their collection; they alone add items to it. Others collect in groups — libraries, museums etc where the one organized group is dedicated to one specific collection. And some single collectors collect for groups — I know a number of ladies who collect vintage high school yearbooks and other area photos of families and homes because they volunteer for the local historical society or help locals with genealogy searches.
Of course, there are the collectors who began for one reason, say to get all the lunchboxes they had when they were young but getting all six of those, they continue collecting retro lunchboxes as a hobby. Or maybe the thrill of finding rare designer fashions & accessories and reselling them has become a quick turn-around investment. Still others may have once delighted in collecting old botanical books for their beauty or personal reasons, but now see that their collection is part of a larger collection, a larger mission.
The layers or combinations are as limitless as the reasons themselves — hence my asking, again, “Why collect?”
Now, it’s your turn to answer.
You may post a comment or a link to your own blog with the answer, or you can email me if you’d like. I’d just like to hear those replies… I’m fascinated!
