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What Else I Collect

I was able to attend the monthly meeting of the local Depression Glass Club this past week, and discovered yet another reason to enjoy the organization and appreciate its members.

The group doesn’t meet in November because we’re all busy using our best china and glassware to serve our Thanksgiving dinners. We don’t have a formal meeting in December either because we’ve set aside an evening of holiday merrymaking that includes feasting, playing games, and winning glorious vintage glass as the prizes, of course.

With no more formal meetings this year, the club had to consider its programs for 2019 this month. When the president asked for suggestions, the members came through a number of popular kinds of Depression Glass, including the following:

  • salt and peppers
  • pitchers and beverage sets
  • kitchenware
  • elegant stemware
  • candlesticks
  • dresser pieces
  • children’s sets
  • glass animals
  • holiday pieces
  • Vaseline glass
  • teacups

As a teapot collector, I’d readily vote for a program on vintage glass cups and saucers any day. When another member suggested including teapots, too, I voted with both hands.

(Unfortunately, I don’t have an antique glass teapot, so I’ll have to ask Santa to include a gift certificate for a shopping spree, which means I’ll have to work hard to stay on the nice list until then.)

In the meantime, I can take solace in the fact that the very first suggestion for the glass club’s 2019 schedule was “What else I collect,” which was met with a rousing round of applause.  Okay.  Maybe I just imagined that part.

Even so, I love it. I absolutely, positively love it: People who are dedicated to collecting glassware of the Depression Era area also crazy about other collectibles, too. Just like I am.

They’re my kind of people through and through, and I appreciate the time and effort, knowledge and talent they all put in to building their intriguing, impressive collections.

Why not check out the Depression Glass Club’s Facebook page and then join us for a meeting in 2019? You’ll probably like the group as much as I do.

Patti
The Committed Collector

How about you? Do you have multiple collections, too? If so, please leave a comment and tell us about the things that attract your fancy.

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum.
All rights reserved.

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Collecting Quotes about Collecting

Happy Friday, Collectors!

I’ve been writing about collecting since mid-June, and writing about collecting keeps me thinking about collecting more than ever—which means I’ve been thinking about garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores, and antiques malls more often than before—especially as the weekend rolls around.

However, without the time to actually go out antiquing or junking—or the space for any more treasures—I’ve had to content myself with other ways of experiencing the fun and adventure of collecting.

One way is by sharing what I’ve learned with you. Another is asking for guest posts, so we all can learn from the experts in the Rochester area. Yet another is by finding out what people elsewhere say about our favorite pastime.

Now that I have three ways of vicarious collecting—and we all know once you have three of something, you’re on your way to a collection—I thought I’d share my first set of quotes about collecting with you.

Whether the collectibles are old or new, handmade or mass-produced, practical or decorative, whatever people collect is always fascinating to me, and to hear or read why they collect is always intriguing, too.

Thanks to the website BrainyQuote, here are some comments about the various things celebrities collect, in their own words:

  • “Collecting records is, for many, beyond a hobby.”
    —Henry Rollins, musician, actor, and radio host
  • “I have a lot of mermaid stuff. I did start collecting a lot before I had children because I didn’t know if I would have a boy or a girl. So I saved everything.”
    —Jodi Benson, actress and singer
  • “I collect crystals and gemstones, and I’ve been collecting them since I was a little girl. They give me positive energy and strength. They make me feel connected to the earth. I cherish them.”
    —Isabel Lucas, actress and model
  • “I’ve been collecting art for much of my adult life. I started around 1960. And my wife and I really enjoy art a great deal. We don’t have a lot of money, so we have works on paper, but we enjoy them a great deal.”
    —Eric Kandel, neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner
  • “The man that got me into collecting sneakers in the first place was the man they call Michael Jordan. He was the one who kind of exposed me to the sneaker world – he was my favorite basketball player, and he had the best shoes.”
    —Macklemore, singer and songwriter
  • “I became fascinated with the concept of speak no, see no, hear no evil…and the actual depiction of three wise monkeys. And I began collecting it over the years. And I kind of figured that I might be…the fourth monkey, the feel no evil monkey.”
    —Mackenzie Phillips, actress and singer
  • “I think the best thing that I collect is memories. I love traveling; I love remembering stuff, my family, my daughter, my wife. I just love collecting memories of my trips, my experiences. And I think that’s it. I’m not very glued to material stuff.”
    —Jaime Camil, actor, singer and TV personality

As the committed collector, I can’t possibly fathom the concept of not being attached to material things; however, I have to agree with Camil’s comment that collecting memories of our life experiences is the absolute best. It’s the people, occasions, and accomplishments in our lives that should truly mean the most to us.

If we collectors happen to pick up a memento or a souvenir while we’re spending time with our loved ones and enjoying special moments, well, so much the better.

Patti
The Committed Collector

As always, we’re interested in what you collect and how you feel about your collections. Please leave a comment and tell us about your favorite collections and why they interest you.

 

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum.
All rights reserved.

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Glorious Glass

I’ve forgotten if it was the year we moved to the Rochester area or the following one when I discovered the local Depression Glass Show & Sale.  I’ve also forgotten what the display theme was that year and what I bought.

What I remember, though, is how entering  the auditorium was like walking into a wonderland and how the Eisenhart shone with all the sparkling glassware.  What I also know is that this weekend’s glass show will be just as magical–because I’ve gotten a sneak peek.

As a member of the Depression Glass Club of Greater Rochester, I was at the RMSC this afternoon setting up my display and checking out the sales booths.  Now, I can’t wait to get back tomorrow morning to start adding to my collections (even though I don’t officially collect Depression Glass, you see).

In addition to the thousands of tempting pieces of beautiful glassware are just as many other treasures, for the sale has been expanded to include vintage china and pottery, linens and silverware, buttons, jewelry, books, and other small antiques.

With all that to choose from, I might just be able to find a few new pieces for myself and a few gifts for family and friends.  Who needs to wait to dream of sugar plums when the glass show is in town!

I hope to meet you there!

Patti
The Committed Collector

 

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum & Gallery.
All rights reserved.

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Guest Post: Tips for Cleaning & Storing Depression Glass

If you’re a serious collector like I am, you know that collecting is fun. We enjoy going out, hunting, and gathering. We like scoring bargains, and we love finding special pieces. However, we’ve also probably learned that there’s some work to be done once we bring our treasures home.

That’s especially true of a collectible like glassware that benefits from some tender loving care. Fortunately for us, we have a great resource nearby: The Depression Glass Club of Greater Rochester, which is dedicated to the colorful glass of the 1930s and ’40s as well as educating its members and others about it.

As a member of the DGC, I’ve learned a lot about the lovely pink and green glassware that I received from my mother, who had received it from her mother years before. I’ve also learned that some of the members of the club are pretty much experts when it comes to their favorite patterns. That’s because they’ve not only been collecting their Depression Glass for years and years, but they’ve been using it and caring for it as well.

With that much knowledge among its members, the club was able to provide so many tips for collecting Depression Glass that we have another guest post from them today. If you read last time’s post, you know that the club provided some great advice for collecting this iconic American glassware.

Today, the members of the local Depression Glass Club give us some additional suggestions for taking care of our vintage glassware.

From The Depression Glass Club of Greater Rochester…

Recommendations for Cleaning Depression Glass

1. Whether you’re just bringing home a new piece, or taking an old favorite off the kitchen shelf, vintage glassware should be washed by hand in warm water using a mild detergent and soft sponge.

2. Never use any kind of abrasive cleanser on glassware. Never scrub glassware with a steel wool pad, coarse sponge, or stiff brush—and certainly never ever scrub glass with silver overlay or any other kind of decoration on it.

3. To protect glassware while washing it, pad the basin of the sink as well as the edges of the counter with thick dishtowels. Also, be careful not to hit the faucet with the glass.

4. Take care to avoid subjecting your glass to extreme temperature changes. In particular, allow cold glass to come to room temperature before unpacking and washing it, especially in the winter when it comes inside after being in an unheated car.

5. If glassware is grimy or especially dusty, let it soak for several minutes in warm soapy water. Then use a soft sponge to wash it. Soak another time or two if needed. If crevices still remain dirty, gently use a soft toothbrush to work at the grime.

6. After washing, use a soft kitchen towel to dry and polish glassware before it completely air dries, so you can wipe away drops of water and streaks.

7. If your glassware is on display, periodically dust each piece individually with a soft cloth. Avoid using a feather or lamb’s wool duster because both their length and the swishing action make it easy to knock over pieces.

Recommendations for Storing Depression Glass

1. Whether you can display your glassware in a china closet or have to store it in a kitchen cabinet, stand most glassware upright rather than upside down since the rim is usually thinner and weaker than the foot.

2. Avoid stacking cups in each other since that puts stress on the handles and because tall stacks are often unstable and could topple over. Avoid hanging cups on cup hooks, too, because that also stresses the handles.

3. Avoid putting glasses and tumblers into each other because they, too, could become stuck together.

4. Avoid stacking all of your dishes in one tall stack because that puts so much weight on the lower dishes. It also concentrates all the weight on one side, which stresses shelves and could cause them to collapse. Instead, distribute weight evenly on shelves, and store plates and bowls in shorter stacks.

5. To soften the contact between stacked pieces, use white paper coffee filters or paper plates, napkins, or towels between them. Regular, uncoated paper plates as well as paper napkins come in a couple of sizes, and some brands of paper towels can easily be torn to size.

In addition, different paper products come in different thicknesses, so they offer varying amounts of protection. For example, thin coffee filters might offer just enough padding between smaller, lighter dishes, while paper plates are thicker, so they’re better between larger, heavier pieces.

6. In addition, even when stored, place paper napkins or paper towels between the lids and openings of canisters, candy jars, and any other pieces that have covers. Doing so will provide some cushioning and lessen any vibrations between the lid and container.

7. If you need to pack up some of your glassware, layers of bubble wrap with small bubbles is recommended for protecting glass, especially for smaller pieces. Multiple sheets of clean newsprint or packing paper also work well, but newspaper itself is warned against since the ink often rubs off onto the glass.

8. If you need to box up glassware to be moved or shipped, double or even triple all your efforts (with extra bubble wrap, packing materials, and double boxing), or seek out professional advice at local packing and shipping facilities. Remember to label boxes “Fragile” and identify what’s inside.

With the local Depression Glass show and sale coming up next weekend, I hope that what I buy there will fit in my house and not have to be packed up or moved to mini-storage—and even though I don’t officially collect Depression Glass, I do indeed expect to find a treasure or two at the sale.

As always, I’m looking forward to the possibility of finding more of my grandmother’s green glass. I’m also open to being tempted by many of the other glorious glass pieces that I’m sure to see there.

And, if all fails, I trust I’ll be able to find an irresistible piece of antique china (or two or three or maybe even a whole set) since the glass show has been expanded to include other vintage collectibles.

I’ll just have to be patient until then. For now, the details of the show and sale are below.

While we wait, take care, and take care of your collections.

Patti
The Committed Collector

2018 Vintage Glass & Collectibles Sale

• Quality dealers selling antique and vintage glassware, china, pottery, linens, silver, and more
• Glass identification, educational program, door prizes, snacks
• Free parking and handicapped accessibility
• $5.00 admission covers both days

• Saturday, Sept. 15, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Sunday, Sept. 16, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

• Eisenhart Auditorium, Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue

• For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page at @DepressionGlassClubRochester or send an email to dgclub@rochester.rr.com.

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum & Gallery.
All rights reserved.

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Guest Post: Ten Tips for Collecting Depression Glass

Do you appreciate beautiful vintage glass? Do you love all the pretty pastel shades or vibrant colors it comes in? Would you like some tips for finding the best glass at the right price? Then read on…

Today, we have our first guest post with some helpful suggestions from one of my favorite organizations, The Depression Glass Club of Greater Rochester, whose members are dedicated to collecting and learning more about that beautiful colorful glass from the past.

Although I’ve been a member for only 13 or 14 years, the local Depression Glass Club was formed 40-some years ago. With a roster of 80 or so members, the DG Club includes collectors with decades of experience among them, so they also have a wealth of information to share about buying, using, and storing this iconic American collectible.

Whether you’re a committed collector of Depression Glass (as I intend to be someday), or newly acquainted with its beauty and charm, I think you’ll find some useful recommendations here—I know I did—including some classic advice and several clever tips from local expert collectors:

Advice for Collecting Depression Glass
from The Depression Glass Club of Greater Rochester

Depression Glass includes the colorful, sparkling glassware made in America during the difficult years of the Depression Era, which is usually considered the period after the Stock Market crash of ’29 until the beginning of World War II.

Such glassware was manufactured in pretty colors or decorated with cheerful designs to help lessen the heartache of the times. Some of the more famous companies that produced such glass patterns are Anchor Hocking, Fenton, and Cambridge.

Depression Glass includes hundreds of kinds of items, such as everyday dishes (that were given away as premiums), elegant glassware (that was sold in jewelry stores), barware (that was often decorated with comical figures), and a host of other items (like ashtrays, knives, and even mousetraps) made of glass.

We’re happy to report that sources of Depression Glass are still plentiful here in Western New York, so collecting this colorful glass is easy in the Rochester area.

If you’re tempted by Depression Glass and need an excuse to start collecting it, or if you’ve been bitten by the glass bug and need a justification for your growing collection, there are several good reasons to collect this kind of glassware.

* Familiar patterns can bring back happy memories of times past with parents or grandparents and holiday dinners when the Thanksgiving turkey tasted so good.

* Better pieces, especially those bought at good prices, might go up in value, so they could be an investment.

* Particular styles or colors can fit in nicely with your current decorating scheme.

The best reason to collect glass is simply because you like it and take pleasure in owning it, seeing it in your home, or using it when you can.

The fastest way to fall for glass is to attend an antiques show or, better yet, a Depression Glass sale like the one the local club is sponsoring Sept. 15-16. A glass sale offers an amazing array of colors, patterns, and pieces, so you’ll probably find something that catches your eye, and then you can go from there.

1. Before you get serious and buy many pieces, though, research as much as possible about your new favorite collectible. Find out its history, its characteristics, and a little about the company that made it. Take the time to study the patterns you collect, so you know their features (like its colors, shapes, or sizes) to avoid accidentally buying the wrong pattern.

2. Then keep learning because the more you know, the greater the advantage you’ll have when buying from anyone who knows less. Many times sellers think they have elite pieces of glass, but if your knowledge is better than theirs, you’re not going to pay $100 for a $20 item. Likewise, you might be happy to spend only $20 on a piece worth $100 when you know more than the vendor does.

Needless to say, to learn more about glass and all that goes into finding a good buy, join the local Depression Glass Club or even the national one.

Also, ask older friends and family what they remember about the glassware that their parents or grandparents had. You can learn about things like costs and usage by simply listening to stories of the past.

To learn even more and to establish connections for your favorite patterns, talk to dealers and develop friendships with them. They’re great sources of knowledge as well as kindred spirits who share this interest.

3. Buy an identification guide or two and then keep them in your car, so you can refer to them when shopping at garage sales (or look things up online as you come across them). Again, being able to distinguish between features helps prevent mistakes.

4. When your favorite pattern and another one have design elements (like the shape of a cup’s handle) that are similar to one another, make note of distinctive features, again, so you buy pieces in the correct pattern.

5. From time to time, check what’s listed on sites like eBay and Replacements, Ltd. to find unusual pieces, compare prices, and keep learning.

6. Once you begin collecting, consider how much space you have to house the pieces you’re picking up. Some items are quite large and take up lots of room, while others are smaller or can be useful. Consider where you’ll store your purchases, how you’ll display them, or if you can actually use them.

7. Also, if you start to collect a particular pattern of Depression Glass, consider the cost of its individual pieces. Find out which ones are most expensive, whether or not they’re readily available, and whether or not you can afford them.

If you do decide to collect a whole pattern, try to buy the more expensive pieces first. When pieces are rare and hard to find, they might go up in value over time.

The more familiar pieces should be more easily available, and at lower prices, but they probably won’t rise in value at the same rate.

8. When shopping, keep in mind the three most important factors: condition, condition, condition. Considering the condition of glassware is important because vintage pieces are often damaged over the decades, but they can rarely be fixed.

* If you want mint items in your collection, or if you want to actually use the glassware you collect, buy pieces that are perfect in every way.

* If you only want to display your Depression Glass, some damage, especially if it’s out of sight, might be acceptable to you.

* If you want an especially rare item, it may pay to buy it even if it’s slightly flawed.

* If you do decide to buy a flawed or damaged piece, make sure you know enough to about the piece and its value to pay an appropriate price.

9. One way to avoid buying imperfect glass is to inspect it with “the fingernail test.” If you run your fingernail around a piece of glass, but it catches on something, the glass is nicked or cracked, so pay accordingly.

10. Another way to avoid mistakes is to check for any discoloration. For example, cloudiness in vases and cups can come from holding water for an extended amount of time. Cloudiness in salt shakers comes from holding salt for a lengthy period. Because some cloudiness can’t be removed, inspect pieces carefully and learn to distinguish between dust and actual damage.

Learning about glassware is our passion at The Depression Glass Club of Greater Rochester—as is collecting it, of course.

We meet at 7:15 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of most months at the Eisenhart Auditorium of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Visitors are always welcome to attend a meeting, which usually includes a program about vintage glassware.

Our club has also been holding an annual show and sale, and our 2018 Vintage Glass & Collectibles Sale is scheduled for September 15 and 16 in the Eisenhart Auditorium, RMSC, 657 East Avenue:

  • Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* The event will feature a variety of dealers selling Depression-Era glassware as well as vintage china, silver, linens, ceramics, and other small antiques.

* The weekend will also include a display of vintage glassware that depicts images of nature as well as an educational program about animal figurines made of glass at 1:00 p.m. each day.

* There will be door prizes as well as a grand prize raffle for a set of dishes, and pie, ice cream, and beverages available.

* Those who have a piece or two of unknown vintage glass may bring them in for possible identification of the pattern, color, and manufacturer.

* Admission is $5 and covers both days. Parking is free, and the building is handicapped accessible.

For more information about the club or our upcoming sale, send an email to us at dgclub@rochester.rr.com or check out our Facebook page, @DepressionGlassClubRochester.

 

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum & Gallery.
All rights reserved.

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21 Tips for Collecting, Part 2

As promised, here are the rest of my guidelines for building collections in a cost-effective, responsible manner.

Some of these tips I’ve learned the hard way (by making quite a few mistakes, buying lesser pieces, and spending too much on others), and others I’ve admittedly ignored from time to time (like actually having room in our house for new acquisitions).

Nonetheless, the collecting lessons I’ve learned could serve us all well as we build and maintain our collections. If all of us committed collectors (myself included) keep these tips in mind, we’ll not only have fun amassing our collections, but we’ll also be able to enjoy the process and the outcome, which is what collecting is all about after all.

12. Set a limit—for individual items and for each shopping spree—and make every effort to stick to it. As you learn more and shop around, you’ll develop a sense for which pieces are ordinary and what prices are reasonable for them. Then you can not only grab up unusual pieces, especially when prices are low, but you’ll also know to walk away from typical ones that are overpriced.

13. Eventually, shop the Internet if you choose, so you can have access to the largest number of dealers and the greatest range of merchandise. For example, some items are scarce in some parts of the country, but plentiful in others depending on where they were manufactured or distributed, so online shopping brings such items to you.  Conversely, collectibles—like vintage souvenirs of Rochester-based companies—might go for higher prices here in Western New York where they are prized than they will be listed for elsewhere in the country.

14. Decide early on if you’re going to be a perfectionist or not. Realize that if you want only first editions, mint quality or best condition, or even NIB (new in box) items, you’re going to pay more and ultimately have fewer items in your collection. If you’re okay with dings and dents, scratches, tears, and other forms of patina, you’ll be able to spend less per item, but you’ll likely have to deal with the greater quantity you’ll get for your money.

15. Consequently, and contrary to popular belief, you should think about where you’re going to put new acquisitions before you acquire them. Will they fit in your vehicle and then in your house? Are you ready to display your new purchases, or will you need to spend more money on things like albums, frames, and curio cabinets? If you’re going to buy it, you should be able to display it or use it as you intended. Otherwise, you’ve just wasted your money.

I hate to say it, since I love finding additions to my collections so much, but we avid collectors really need to follow the old adage: We should have a place for everything, and then put everything in its place. Again, there’s really no point in buying things if we can’t properly display them, actually use them, or reasonably store them.

I should know: I’ve been storing most of my collections for nearly ten years, which has gotten ridiculous. That’s one reason why I want to open The Collectors’ museum where extensive collections like mine and those of other committed collectors can be displayed. Another reason is that collectors like these have put together some amazing things that are truly worthy of being put in the spotlight.

16. Be prepared and take measurements of your walls, doorways, cabinets, and other areas at home, as well as the inside of your vehicle, and then carry that information with you either in a notebook or on a device. There’s really no point in buying something that simple won’t fit. I know—I’ve made that mistake a time or two myself.  Once, I was so sure a 1960s’ chaise lounge would fit in my Subaru station wagon that I immediately bought it—and it did fit in the car—after we spent an hour in the parking lot dismantling it.

17. If you’re short on space, or if your home is already full, think about what you will actually do with your new acquisitions. Will you have to spend time rotating out your collectibles? Will you need to pack them and store them away? Will they crowd your space, or will you have to spend money on mini-storage? Will you also need to invest money in packing supplies and time in boxing up the treasures you just bought? In short, think hard before you buy additional pieces for your collection.

18. Realize, too, that collecting involves more than simply shopping. When you buy new pieces, identify and inventory each as you go. In fact, it’s prudent and practical to catalog the collectibles you already own before you bring home any more items. A simple list with categories for your own ID numbers, what the items are, when and where you bought them, how much you paid, and what they’re worth is a good start. In addition, a gallery of photos accessible on your phone helps document your collections and can prevent duplicating purchases in the future.

19. If you’re into pricey collectibles, like original artwork and genuine antiques, have a serious talk with your insurance agent to find out whether your collection is covered by your homeowner’s policy or if you need additional coverage. If you become carried away with this hobby, you might end up investing more into it than you realize, so you might need more coverage than you expect.

20. Regardless of how enamored you are right now about your collection, expect to let go of individual pieces at some point in the future. As your experience and knowledge grow, your taste and style will likely evolve, too. Over time, you may decide to divest yourself of lesser pieces in favor of better ones. Sad as it seems, it’s common practice to eventually break up collections; however, in doing so, you’re then able to let others enjoy what you no longer cherish.

21. In addition, once you have more collectibles than the typical person, start thinking about how you’ll downsize or what you’d like to happen to them when the time comes. Talk to your family and tell them which pieces are important to you, and also find out if anyone wants particular items. Use your inventory to let your family know which pieces are particularly unique or valuable, and give them suggestions for appropriately passing them along.  After all, you know your collections better than anyone else.

Gosh. I seem to have ended on a somber note about downsizing and bequeathing. However, I’ll take that as a reminder that I already have many, many beautiful pieces in my collections—including floral teapots, vintage dishes, sparkling glassware, and lovely figurines—yet no one else will want to deal with them when the time comes.

I think I’ll forego the sales and shops this weekend and stay home and work on a collection or two. I’ll be able to enjoy some of my treasures now and work on keeping them organized for the future.

I hope you, too, can enjoy your collections this weekend. After all, that’s why we have them.

Patti
The Committed Collector

So where do you stand on the issue? Should we collect only as much as we can reasonably display in our homes, or is it acceptable to collect so much that a goodly portion needs to be boxed up and put away? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts about the collector’s quandary.

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum & Gallery.
All rights reserved.

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21 Tips for Collecting Almost Anything & Everything, Part 1

As another summer of garage sales comes to an end, and another season of holiday bazaars awaits us, I thought this would be the time to offer my suggestions for how to go about collecting with more triumphs than heartaches.

To paraphrase what antiques expert Ralph Kovel once said, committed collectors like I am often regret the things we don’t buy; however, if we buy hastily or carelessly, we can come to regret those expenses, too.

After decades of hunting and gathering, and dozens of excursions just this year, I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes, but I’ve also learned a trick or two that I’m happy to pass along.

When it comes to finding, choosing, buying, and ultimately acquiring any kind of collectible, my step-by-step guide could save you time, money, and space as you build your collection—and might even result in bringing home some real treasures (rather than some real duds).

Here’s the first half or so of my 21 tried-and-true methods. I hope they work for you, too.

1. Once you realize you’re starting a collection, go slowly. Buying the first specimens you come across could be a mistake because you might buy ordinary pieces rather than special ones, or you might pass up a real deal that you didn’t recognize—or end up paying too much for something that only seems special but really isn’t.

2. So…take some time to learn more about the object of your desire. Of course, the Internet is a convenient place for a great variety of information, but so is our Monroe County Library System, which has dozens of identification guides full of information compiled by experts. Learn as much as you can about the history, construction, and variety of your field of collecting.

3. Search for local collectors’ clubs, too, so you can learn from area experts and meet people who share your interests. We’re fortunate to have several such organizations in Western New York, and many allow people to attend a time or two before formally joining. These groups usually have monthly educational programs about specific collectibles as well as social occasions during the year. Local organizations often hold annual shows and sales, too, which are great ways to meet out-of-town vendors with diverse merchandise and specific expertise.

4. Then, keep learning about your collectible even while you shop. Strike up conversations with proprietors, dealers, and other shoppers, and listen as they talk about the merchandise. People are usually generous with their knowledge and willing to point out details that affect quality, value, and price.

5. As part of your education as a new collector, or a collector in a new field, first shop in person, so you can see, touch, and even smell the collectibles that have caught your eye. Reproductions, re-issues, knock-offs, and fakes usually differ in a number of ways from the real thing. Also, condition and damage may not be clearly visible, or fully disclosed, in some online listings.

6. In addition, shop in person in a variety of marketplaces. When I go antiquing in Rochester, that means I might stop into a privately owned antiques store with fine items or an antiques co-op with a wide range of antique, vintage, and reproduction pieces. I could also make the round of garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores in Monroe County for the best prices and one surprise after another since who knows what I’ll find in such venues. The point is that you might find something special in an unexpected place, so you should shop around and keep your eyes open.

7. Remember to dress, and pack, for the occasion. If you’re going to spend a fall day at a flea market, where the weather can be unpredictable here in Western New York, dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. If you’re going to be out all day, leave your oversized purse home, but bring cash, a measuring tape, a way to take notes, and water and a snack or two—especially if you’d rather spend your money on treasures than burgers or hots.

8. Use any of several strategies for shopping shows and sales (and sometimes in stores for that matter, too):

  • Arrive early for the best choices. You might have to pay to enter on the “preview” day, and you’ll probably have to pay full price, but you’ll be there for the biggest and best selection, so you might find some really special things.
  • However, if you stay late, you’ll likely get the best deals. By shopping during the last day of a sale or the last hours of a show, you might find dealers offering discounts, like 50 percent off everything, especially fragile, large, and heavy items that they’d prefer not to have to pack up and haul away.
  • Make multiple rounds of a venue and walk around booths and shops from opposite directions. You can spot things you previously missed when you see them from a different angle. Also, look into boxes on the floor, up on high shelves, and behind other items where you can find prizes that others passed by.
  • In some cases, you can make an offer and often get a better price. For example, some shops are authorized to give 10 percent off big-ticket items to anyone who asks. Individual dealers will usually consider an offer or let you know how much they can let the item go for. Others are often open to discounting items when you bundle a number of purchases together.

9. When you find things worth considering, inspect potential additions carefully and repeatedly. Examine the top, the bottom, the front, the back, and the inside closely. Look at items, and all parts of them, from all angles and in different light. Then check again. Run your hands over them, too. Cracks, chips, and tears seem to lurk under your thumb or behind the price tag.

If you shop online, make sure you ask lots of questions before bidding or buying. Ask about the kinds of damage that’s specific to your field of collecting, like pottery that’s crazed or metals that are rusted. Inquire about manufacturing flaws, and ask dealers to describe anything else that’s less than perfect.

Part of your education is to learn what can be fixed and what can’t. For instance, heavy dust and kitchen grime can be washed off many things. However, material that’s stained, paper that’s torn, and glass that’s been damaged in the dishwasher and become cloudy is often marred forever (even if various sources say they can be corrected). Paper that’s musty might be freshened with a dryer sheet, but if the odor comes from mold, that’s a real problem.

10. In addition, when buying sets of any kind, make sure all the pieces are present. If the tag says the price is for a set of 86 dishes, take the time to count and locate all 86 pieces. The count might be wrong; a few of the pieces might have been broken or sold separately, or they might just be sitting a few shelves over. In any case, you want to get what you’re paying for, and if the set is less than advertised, you can ask for a better price or leave it behind.

11. Make sure that all the pieces packaged as a set actually go together, too. Mismatched cups and saucers are common; teapots and other containers often have the wrong lid, and all sorts of other items can get mixed up, especially in thrift shops and at charity sales when lots of people have their hands on the goods.

It’s okay to choose a Shabby Chic mix-and-match look, but look closely and double check, so you don’t think you’re getting a matching set when you’re actually getting a “marriage” of two different parts.

Feeling confident and inspired to go shopping? I am, but I better not.  I have more tips to write up.  Join us Friday when I’ll finish my list of collecting tips and tricks.

Patti
The Committed Collector

In the meantime, can you offer any advice for finding unusual items or negotiating better prices? If so, please leave a comment and share your tips.

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum & Gallery.
All rights reserved.

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Where Do We Find All These Things?

The reporter’s questions prove their usefulness once again.

When I first sat down to list the kinds of places where we avid collectors find new treasures to add to our collections, I thought that I, the committed collector, would easily come up with a dozen or so places to include.

However, after asking myself two little questions—“Where do I go to shop around Rochester?” and “Where do my collecting friends find new additions for their collections?”—I’ve been able to come up with more than six times the number I expected.

Indeed, the Western New York area offers us serious collectors a plethora of places where we can find things new and old worth collecting. Of course, some places might not have what we specifically collect, yet others might just have more than we would expect to find.

One thing I’ve discovered as a longtime collector is that you always have to be looking for whatever it is you collect. It’s amazing how often the best things turn up in the most unlikely places.

For example, an acquaintance, who is an avid scrapbooker, once found teatime stickers at a convenience store at a Thruway rest stop. Upscale jewelry stores, with mostly new designs, often sell estate jewelry (which is the high-end term for second-hand stuff), and I once saw pieces by Syracuse China in a booth featuring silverware.

Although I personally haven’t shopped in each of the following places—and a few are admittedly outside our area—if you’re looking for new, different, or unusual places where you might be able to pick up an item or two for your collection, here are several dozen options:

Events

  • Auctions
  • Festivals
  • Craft fairs
  • Juried art shows
  • Student art exhibits
  • “Starving Artist” sales
  • Holiday sales
  • Concerts and plays
  • Games and other sporting events
  • Antiques or collectibles shows and sales
  • Collectors’ and hobby-club conventions
  • Association and organization meetings
  • Swap meets

Shopping Districts

  • Small towns, tourist destinations, and vacation spots
  • Souvenir shops and stands
  • Amusement parks and other attractions
  • Hotels, inns, and B&Bs
  • Resorts, spas, and retreats
  • Casinos
  • Campgrounds, cruise ships, and train stations
  • Breweries, wineries, and distilleries
  • Restaurants, diners, and pubs
  • Museum shops
  • Historic sites

Retail Stores with New Merchandise

  • Shopping malls
  • Department stores
  • Kiosks
  • Grocery stores
  • Gourmet and specialty food shops
  • Drug stores
  • Outlet malls
  • Discount department stores
  • Dollar stores
  • Wholesale clubs

Specialty Shops with New Merchandise

  • Art galleries
  • Designer boutiques
  • Jewelry stores
  • Liquor stores
  • Florists
  • Card, stationery, and gift stores
  • Hospital gift shops
  • Nurseries and garden centers
  • Hardware and home improvement stores
  • Automotive stores
  • Athletic and sporting goods stores
  • Pro shops
  • Clock, lamp, vacuum, sewing machine repair and supply shops
  • Book stores
  • College and university book stores
  • Music and record shops
  • Piano, organ, and musical instrument stores
  • Craft stores and hobby and model shops
  • Fabric, quilt, yarn, and bead shops
  • Woodworking shops

Secondhand Venues with Used Items

  • Antiques shops
  • Antiques co-ops or malls
  • Consignment shops
  • Used book stores
  • Vintage record shops
  • Used furniture stores
  • Thrift stores
  • Architectural salvage stores
  • Scrap yards
  • Garage sales, yard sales, moving sales, downsizing sales, divorce sales
  • Estate sales
  • Barn sales
  • Church, school, and library sales
  • Pawn shops

Venues with New and Used Merchandise

  • Year-round indoor flea markets
  • Seasonal outdoor flea markets
  • Holiday markets

In Print, Online, and at Home

  • Catalogs and websites
  • Classified ads and postings
  • Newspaper, magazine, and website display ads
  • Home shopping parties
  • Gift exchanges

That’s some list, even if I do say so myself. Imagine how much trouble we could get into if we worked our way through it. Oh, but what fun that would be!

Indeed, the Western New York area offers more places to shop—as well as more varied ones—than I realized—so I can’t wait for my next antiquing trip.

Happy Shopping!

Patti
The Committed Collector

How about you? Do you have a favorite place to shop or a recommendation where we might go to find treasures for our collections? If so, please leave a comment; we’d love to hear from you.

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum & Gallery.
All rights reserved.

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What We Collect, part 3 of 3

Since it’s Friday, we avid collectors might have a few questions on our minds: When can I get out to go antiquing this weekend? Where should I stop first, and what might I find there?

I’ve been considering that last one for a few posts now, and I think I can wrap up my answer to the question “What do collectors collect?” with a final list of a dozen things. I’m not trying to itemize actual, tangible things that collectors collect. Instead, I’ve been thinking about the ways any variety of items can be categorized.

Whether you collect action figures, team jerseys, or college pennants or seek out antique dolls, vintage fashions, or grammar school primers, all of your treasures (and mine, too) can be classified as larger, broader kinds of things.

In answer to the query “What gets collected?” here’s the remainder of my list of the kinds of intangible collectibles that we committed collectors pursue.

Avid collectors like I am might also collect…

11. Colors and color combinations – Some collectors, myself included, are particularly visual and are drawn more to the shades of items than the things themselves. The seasons, as well as aging and weathering, naturally give us different colors, and designers and retailers recognize that merchandise (like Barbie’s new wardrobe) is more attractive when it’s in the year’s new color palette. That’s why I have a half dozen sets of vibrant summer plasticware and more than enough vases—because ruby red, forest green, and cobalt blue are equally appealing to me.

12. Textures – Other collectors are more tactile and respond to the feel of things. While some prefer the roughness of primitive pottery, others choose the smoothness of porcelain or the sleek shine of chrome. Some collect textiles like linens or quilts or clothing or handmade crafts, while others favor glass, woodworks, or machinery.

13. Shapes – Some people are drawn to the form of things and, perhaps subconsciously, select things that end up building a collection of recognizable contours like round teapots, circular picture frames, or other orbs, globes, and spheres. Others are attracted to items that have oval, square, or rectangular shapes or diagonal lines.

14. Patterns – Likewise, some collectors have a noticeable fondness for certain designs, such as florals, plaids, or even abstracts. While they might think they’re buying clothes or choosing upholstery, a closer look reveals that they’re actually assembling a collection of classical, geometric, or organic patterns or prints.

15. Variety – Then there are the collectors who simply accumulate variations on a theme. Perhaps we’re really collecting specimens—examples of every variation we come across, every size, shape, color, and form within our field of collecting. That’s easy to do when you’re collecting in the Rochester area, for we have access to multiple retail outlets and secondary markets.

16. Quantity – Similarly, some people simply go after large numbers of items. They’re the ones who have the bumper stickers that read, “The one who dies with the most _____ wins.” There’s something satisfying about being able to say, “I have a hundred of them” or “I have 2,000 of that.” Perhaps we’re also keeping score and merely aspire to amass the most.

17. Quality – However, some collectors, especially connoisseurs, would rather say, “I have the best.” They are attuned to the artistic qualities and expert craftsmanship of the things they compile together in their homes, so they usually acquire only the finest things—the acclaimed, the rare, the revered, and the high-end.

18. Beauty – Likewise, some people naturally appreciate beautiful things, although their definition of beauty may differ. Many postcards and greeting cards depict attractive objects or scenes, while many decorative accessories appeal to traditional (or contemporary) aesthetic conventions. For instance, many vintage figurines are pretty; traditional landscapes often depict lovely settings, and even salvaged architecture can be described as handsome.

19. Imagery – Other collectors react to things that possess certain inherent associations. These items naturally conjure up some kind of image, and holiday collectibles often fall into this category. Bloody Halloween props are meant to evoke disgust or horror, while ghostly ones are intended to suggest something ethereal or eerie.

20. Icons – Others are particularly attracted to items whose reputations have been established over time and have even earned iconic status. Celebrity and sports memorabilia often include icons in their fields, as do other general or fictional figures: Angels in white and gold represent the religious aspect of Christmas, while jolly, generous Santas suggest its childlike joy.

21. Symbols – In a similar way, some people recognize the symbolic nature of things, so they’re drawn to tangible items that represent other, intangible things. For instance, because they are usually very well made and very costly, designer clothes and luxury vehicles represent success, wealth, and status, while estate jewelry and old family photographs suggest long lineages.

22. Trophies – Ultimately, all collectors also collect trophies. Every item in our collection indicates some kind of triumph. We might have found the best piece or a piece at the best price. Each item in our collections shows that we have dedicated time, energy, and money into our passions. Each piece represents our personalities, our interests, and our lifestyles, and each piece shows that we’ve scored another buy and won another round in the game of collecting.

If that’s what you’re doing this weekend—looking to score a few finds and earn a few more points in the collecting arena—beware: If you bring home too many trophies, as I have, you might just need a space the size of a small arena to showcase your treasurers.

Nonetheless, I say, let the collecting games begin!

Patti
The Committed Collector

If you’re attracted to collectibles by color or pattern, or if you are on either side of the quantity v. quality debate, please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

 

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum & Gallery. All rights reserved.

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What We Collect, part 2 of 3

If you read last Friday’s post, you see that residents of the Rochester area collect a large number of tangible items made in a variety of materials like ceramics, fabric, glass, metal, paper, and plastic (not to mention the different kinds of plants some of them collect in their gardens).

Consequently, it’s a relief that I’m not trying to compile a comprehensive list of the actual kinds of things that collectors assemble together into their collections. If I were to try to identify each and every type of thing that people collect, I wouldn’t have any time for collecting anymore. I’d be listing and listing, and the list would go on and on and on—which is quite like collecting, when you think about it.

Instead, I’m answering the question “What do collectors collect?” in another way. My mind and my list have taken an abstract turn and include intangibles, generalizations, concepts, and even emotions. Even without itemizing actual items, I’ve been able to come up with nearly two dozen other “things” that we collectors can collect.

The next time I go antiquing with friends, and someone asks, “What did you find?” I won’t have to say “another teapot, of course.” As the committed collector, I’ll be able to rename my treasures as items from the following list. My teapots are actually souvenirs or associations or sentiments.

Thus committed collectors like me collect…

1. Memories – Some collectors buy things that remind them of their personal pasts. Shortly after my father passed away, I picked up a Magic 8 Ball and later a plastic photo cube to remind me of him because we kids had given them to Dad as gifts years earlier.

2. History – Other collectors buy things that come from or represent previous times in life, which may or may not have been their own. Military buffs, for example, might collect Civil War, WWII, or Desert Storm weaponry or materiel.

3. Souvenirs – Many casual collectors buy mementoes that represent the good times they’re having on trips or at special events. Magnets and postcards are popular vacation collectibles, while concert T-shirts and play programs are often found closer to home.

4. Experiences – Some people literally collect intangible things—actions and activities—and document them with photos, ticket stubs, or luggage tags that record the things they’ve done in their lives. For them, the doing is more important than the record keeping.

5. Dreams – Some people buy things that reveal their hopes for their futures, like the contents of an old-fashioned hope chest. When I lived in one apartment after another, I got in the habit of buying half-price summer plasticware at the end of the season. I always imagined owning a home with a pool and the need for lots of colorful and unbreakable dishes and glasses.

6. Aspirations – Similarly, others collect things that reveal their goals and fit the lives they intend to have. For example, ambitious business executives might collect haute couture accessories to look the part they’re actively working to become.

7. Status – Some who have achieved the positions and wealth they desire in life collect the kinds of things that not only demonstrate their standing but also perpetuate it. A fortunate few are able to collect actual masterpieces or antique cars.

8. Associations – Many people collect things because they are related to other things, either because of a direct connection or an implication. For example, many people in Rochester collect Kodak cameras because of the company’s origins here, rather than because they specifically collect cameras. Others might collect wooden farm implements because they suggest a simpler time.

9. Sentiments – Quite a few people, myself included, collect emotions. We are drawn to things because of the feelings they evoke. Dolls and Teddy bears are the quintessential collectibles that instill affection, happiness, or even joy in their owners.

10. Innovation – Others seek out things that are remarkable because of their design, function, or gadgetry and consequently appeal to their intellect. These collectors are often fascinated by machinery, such as calculators and typewriters, or technology, like computers or video games.

Now that I think about it, I probably have at least a small collection of every kind of collectible I just listed, which is one reason why I want to open The Collectors of Western New York where we avid accumulators can display our various collections.

Don’t tell my husband in case he hasn’t noticed, but I also collect several intangibles:

  • The jars of seashells I have remind me of my happy childhood in sunny Florida, while the Buffalo and Syracuse restaurantware I admire so much represents a time when dining out was an occasion.
  • Some of the other vintage dishes I have are mementos of the small towns and antique stores I’ve visited in my travels, and my CD collection represents a lifetime of loving to dance.
  • The bolts of fabric I have stockpiled reflect the visions I have of learning how to sew and redecorating my house for every season. Likewise, the shelves I have filled with books on garden design suggest that I intend to get serious about hiring a landscaper one of these days.
  • The bits of shiny silverplate I have stored away reveal that I would love to be able to host elegant dinner parties, and my collection of teacups show that I’m truly a romantic at heart.
  • The Cherished Teddies figurines and Boyds Bears pins I’ve begun to pick up are simply so sweet, while the assortment of baking and gelatin molds I have in aluminum, copper, plastic, and silicone are improvements in culinary design—if not in my own efforts in the kitchen.

Regardless of where you use, display, or store your collection, it may be more than the actual things it’s made of. Your collection may be a record of your past or a sign of your personality or an indication of your future. It might also be some other intangible things.

Check back Friday for more kinds of things that collectors—perhaps people just like you or me—have in their homes and attics and storage units.

Until then, happy collecting!

Patti
The Committed Collector

If you, too, collect an intangible, please leave a comment and tell us what it is. We’d love to hear from you.

 

© 2018 The Collectors of Western New York Museum & Gallery.  All rights reserved.