Some Reasons Why People Collect – The Committed Collector

If you live with a non-collector, or have family or friends who don’t feel compelled to buy in quantities, you’re probably familiar with questions like these:

Don’t you already have one of those? Why do you need another one?
How many of those things do you have anyway?
Don’t you think you have enough?

Those who haven’t been bitten by the collecting bug, just don’t get it. Those of us who have, however, know there are several reasons—and valid ones at that—why we think more is better and some is never enough.

In short, we collect because we like the things in our collections, because they make us feel a certain way, and because they represent something else.

However, as I’m working my way through that collection of prompts known as the journalists’ questions, I’ve come up with several more explanations that answer the question “Why collect?”

Last time, I shared one or two reasons why I’ve been a serious collector for more years than I care to admit. What follows now are my additional thoughts on why some people (myself included) simply aren’t satisfied with acquiring things in moderation or appreciating them from afar.

We committed collectors have several good reasons why we’re willing to invest time, money, and space into amassing multitudes of the things we collect. Besides, six or eight reasons are always better than two or three, so here goes:

Some of us collectors are tactile by nature, so having the ability to touch and hold and inspect interesting objects appeals to us. We like things that have texture (like fabric and oil paintings) or are mechanical (like tools and typewriters). More important, we like being able to have access to such collectibles, to be able to re-inspect them, and even to use them. We enjoy being able to examine them, to organize them, and to keep them together as the collections we are building.

A similar kind of collector is inherently visual, so he or she is drawn to things because of their artistry, craftsmanship, or other hallmarks of beauty. These collectors (like yours truly) are moved by the very sight of their collectibles, so they are happy to have them around and on display. Aspects of appearance, such as color, sheen, and motif, appeal to visual types, so, again, they collect because they appreciate the look of things—like sparkling glass, floral china, or intricate wood-working.

Another kind of collector takes a more cerebral approach and becomes fascinated by the objects of his or her desire. These scientific types like to learn all they can about their collectibles, such as their origins, design, and manufacture, and, if they’re like me, they enjoy having multiple examples of all that’s available. Each variation represents another specimen and is worthy of being cataloged in the collection.

Finally, some collectors are all heart, so they value reminders of their loved ones and their experiences. They collect souvenirs and buy romantic, nostalgic, or similar items because of the emotions they evoke. They collect because, for them, the items represent a connection to someone or something, and they simply love to surround themselves with things that have personal meaning for them (such as Grandma’s costume jewelry or Granddad’s fishing hats, or wedding cake toppers, baby dolls, or team memorabilia).

Of course, some of these reasons overlap a bit with others, and some collectors, no doubt, have multiple reasons for being attracted to things, wanting to own them, and generally being smitten by their collections.

That’s the nature of the game, isn’t it? The more collectibles, the better, so the more reasons, the better, too.

I wonder which ones will tempt me this weekend?

Patti
The Committed Collector

How about you? Do you know why you’re a collector? If so, leave a comment and share your thoughts about the reasons why you collect.