Who We Collectors Are, part 3 of 3 – The Committed Collector

I suppose with my backgrounds in journalism and in education, as well as with collecting, I should have expected, sooner rather than later, I’d write blog posts that form a series.

As a journalist, I always enjoyed working through the set of prompts known as the reporter’s questions, and as an English instructor, I’m drawn to series of books, such as Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander tales.

What’s more, as a collector, I’m always attracted to pairs, trios, sets, series, and, well, collections of things. I first realized this 16 or so years ago when pouring over a discount department store’s display of Christmas ornaments. I came across one (of a little girl, I think) that I didn’t particularly like because its craftsmanship fell short of its design. However, I soon noticed a companion piece (the little boy if I recall correctly) and immediately thought, “If there’s a third, I’ll get them.”

How crazy is that? I had enough sense not to buy one item I found lacking, but I would have bought three of them has they been there. Pretty crazy, huh? Not at all if you’re a committed collector like I am. Collectors are, by nature, attracted to things that go together. Many avid collectors like myself appreciate completeness, wholeness, entireties, and totalities and consider finishing a collection as important as the items in the collection.

After that inclination, however, the collectors I know and love have a variety of different traits and outlooks when it comes to our shared pastime. Using the journalist’s question “Who?—Who are collectors?” has lead me to compile my own list of the kinds of collectors you might meet—or might be.

My last two posts listed the first 12 types of people who have been bitten by the collecting bug, and today’s entry concludes my list, which is based on my observations and own preferences

Collectors also include…

13. Trendsetters: Like some sentimentalists, this group of collectors is attuned to the present and what’s going on now yet is primarily attracted to contemporary things, like this season’s hot colors or newest styles. These collectors might be the ones to put up theme trees every December with a new collection of ornaments and decorations. If they keep their purchases, they might have collections of ties or scarves that span several decades and reveal a range of once-trendy colors or aesthetic styles.

14. Futurists: Some people look to the future and wonder what life will be like. They often enjoy reading science fiction or watching movies and TV shows in that genre. Among their favorite collectibles are robots and action figures and books, comics, or graphic novels with technological or post-apocalyptic imagery or themes. Likewise, some collectors (like I used to be) amass things, like advertising signs, holiday decorations, or summer plasticware, that they intend to use in the future, like when they settle down and buy a house.

15. Decorators and Designers: Some collectors have sensory reactions to things and often artistic or visual reasons for building their collections. Although they are not necessarily professionals, they fully appreciate the look of things individually as well as together and often make their choices based on theme, color, or scheme. For example, designer-collectors might be drawn to a variety of items that reflect beach or cabin or industrial motifs and materials.

16. Competitors: A percentage of collectors are in competition with others in their field, yet this driving force may be conscious or unconscious on their part. Sometimes, these collectors pursue items that are older, newer, bigger, finer, rarer, or in some other way better than what their peers have. Sometimes, they simply want more than anyone else in their field, so they aim for dozens, hundreds, and thousands of pieces in their collections. Such friendly competition can often result in quite impressive collections.

17. Gamblers: A good percent of collectors are willing to take a chance on the additions to their collections. They trust that the items sold online are as advertised. They assume the dirty, dusty pieces they pick up at flea markets will clean up nicely, and they hope the items they get for a song will be worth considerably more. Like, futurists, gamblers are optimists at heart and are often the ones to find the proverbial diamonds in the rough.

18. Connoisseurs: The final group of collectors I’ve identified includes aficionados of very particular things. They are not only enamored of certain objects, but they also do their research and become experts in their own right on their fields. Because the objects of their desire are often expensive and rare, and because these collectors recognize the best and hold out for the best, these collectors usually have smaller collections, yet they often contain exquisite pieces, such as art, wine, and jewelry.

Considering that I once intended to buy a set of three poorly crafted holiday ornaments, I guess I’m not a connoisseur. However, like most avid collectors I know, I can be called some kind of hyphenated collector:

I’m a hobbyist-generalist as well as an opportunistic, bargain-hunting, sentimental, decorator-gambler kind of collector. In other words, I collect a variety of items for fun. I’m a romantic at heart as well as a homebody, and if I hit the shops and if I happen to see interesting things at the right price, I’m willing to take a chance on finding a treasure.

That seems to make me a maximalist, too. I guess my husband’s right again.

Oh well, as I say, “the more, the merrier!”

Patti,
The Committed Collector

Check back on Friday when I answer the next question about collecting—“What?—What do collectors collect?”—and offer my discussion of the kinds of things that come to be collected. In the meantime, please leave a comment and let us know what kind of collector you are or if you’ve come across other kinds of collectors.