How to become a collector

Why collect?

Many people begin collecting particular items for a reason. Some think that their collection may hold the antiques of the future, others like to share their passion with similar enthusiasts, whilst some may collect as they are a fan of something or someone else. Take, for example, a die hard fan of the late Michael Jackson.

Such a fan may have collected all things Michael Jackson from signatures, to music, to books, to clothes in styles like Michael's and more. Of course without even intending to make money such a collection can bring you wealth. Possibly a collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia could soon be worth a small fortune. It does depend however on what has been collected, the item's rarity and its condition.

Other people just collect for the sake of collecting. These people may hoard all sorts of stuff in the hope that it may be useful one day or end up being priceless. Unfortunately much will simply end up as junk.

Then there are collectors who have a fascination with something and want to collect related items. Often people are unsure how such a collection started. Collecting can be a fun hobby, pure and simple. Once that collecting bug has bitten it can be hard to break.

THE FUTURE
Just think about if you had collected something when you were young. Perhaps you did. As an adult you could have a great piece of nostalgia and personal history. You could even now have a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation.

Train sets, Meccano, Lego, Enid Blyton Books, early Barbie dolls and lots more could be worth plenty of cash these days. They may be worth even more to you as fond and affectionate memories of your childhood.

When my mother-in-law passed away the family were in for a surprise as they cleared her home out. Tucked away in a shoe box was a keepsake from each of her six children. One had died when he was a toddler but she had a keepsake from him included in this. It was a lock of each of their baby hair wrapped in tissue paper. She also had the girls plaits from when they had received their first short hair cut, into a more grown up style. At the time of finding these keepsakes the eldest child was 63 and the youngest was 51. How sad, poignant and touching for all concerned.

Think about this if you are starting some sort of collection and pick an item or items that work for you and the reason for your collection.

HINTS AND TIPS FOR COLLECTORS
There are quite a few obvious, and not so obvious, things that will need to be considered before you start a collection. Here are a few hints and tips:-

• Start small.
• Decide on what you are going to collect. Unless you have an unlimited income and a massive amount of storage space take both of these into account.
• Why are you starting to collect? It may be that you are a music lover and simply want to start a music collection that will give you pleasure over the years, but also could be worth money eventually.
• Are you collecting to make money? If you are then try and pick something which will be scarce or only be issued briefly. Some collectors will collect items associated with a particular event, such as a Royal Wedding in the UK, or a new President in the USA.
• What will this collection cost you in time, money and effort? Collecting something, such as beer mats, or coasters, in the UK was, and is, usually free. They do not take up much space. However, what do you do with them? Well ones from breweries that no longer exist can be worth money. Most collectors only collect one of each example. Although such a collection could ultimately have thousands of pieces they would be easy to store in, for example, old shoe boxes.
• Make sure that your collection is stored appropriately. Old paper items, for example, must be kept away from damp conditions and only handled infrequently, ideally with hands that are wearing thin gloves.
• Ask around friends and family to see if they are able to add to your collection for free or next to nothing.
• Remember, if you are hoping that your collection may earn you some money the items should be in pristine condition, ideally unopened and still in their original box or packaging.

IDEAS FOR COLLECTORS
You can collect anything that you want. Some people collect the sick bags from planes. Unused of course. They collect these because they have specific images on them.

Let your imagination run wild and think about what you enjoy. Sometimes the bonus with a collection is that it is useful. I have collected old buttons for years. I never discard any clothes to the rubbish or rag bag unless I have removed the buttons first. Some buttons are just plain and common but there are buttons that are hard to find, difficult to match, unusual or even antique. The bonus is that I always have a ready supply of buttons if I ever need to change any or if I am making something. I used to keep them in a small jar but have so many now they are in a few jars.

HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS

• Books especially by a particular author. Remember first editions will be worth more.
• Music CDs, DVDs and or Records.
• Postage stamps.
• Key rings.
• Knitting Patterns
• Old woodworking tools.
• Corkscrews.
• Watches.
• Quirky pens.
• Travel tickets from planes, buses and or trains.
• Toy ranges such as Dr Who.
• Programs from events such as theatre or concerts.
• Magazines.
• Coins, foreign or from your own country.
• Phone cards.
• Recipes.
• Vintage clothes.
• Hats.
• Handbags.
• Cigarette lighters.
• Spectacle cases.
• Photographs.
• Jokes.
• Mouse mats, of all shapes, sizes and patterns.
• Autographs.
• Old jewellery.
• Kitchenalia and gadgets.
• Fridge magnets.
• Old toy train sets.
• Dolls.
• Unusual pencil sharpeners.
• Posters.
• Bumper stickers.

The list is endless. People are so different that there is bound to be someone somewhere in the world collecting anything that you can name. Please don't send me suggestions though. I knew a guy, in the past, who had kept all his nail clippings since he was a child. How absurd is that? Try to sort the good from the bad and be selective. If not you run the risk of becoming an eccentric hoarder a bit like Steptoe and Son, the old Rag and Bone men in the British UK comedy series.

Hopefully you are now inspired to start a collection which may become full of future antiques, family heirlooms or make your fortune eventually.

Overall though remember the important points:-

• CONDITION
• COST
• SIZE
• STORAGE
• SCARCITY
• USES

Good hunting.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/07/hunter-davies-guide-becoming-collectork