ADVICE
for
BEGINNING COLLECTORS
Many
collectors claim their collections started by accident. The first plate
or toy or figurine was a gift from a friend or an impulse purchase driven
by nostalgia. The second was bought with the rationale that it was a bargain
-- maybe even a yard sale find. The third was selected because it would
look good with the first two. Then the fourth because it would go with
the other three. And so on. And so on. And so on.
But of course not all collections are started this way. Many people make
an actual decision to collect something. Perhaps inspired by an item seen
on the Canadian Antiques Roadshow or in a collectible or decorating magazine,
their interest is sparked. Or perhaps they see how much a friend or relative
enjoys collecting. Or perhaps they just want something new and different
to do.
Whatever the reason, collecting is a wonderful hobby. It truly is a modern
day treasure hunt. But in order to have the most rewarding collecting
experience, there are some things that should be considered before starting
out. If you are thinking of becoming a collector, here are a few of them.
Availability
Today the Internet makes almost any collectible as close as your computer
and your mailbox, but clicking the search button on a computer screen
just isn’t the same adventure as searching tables at a flea market
or digging through box lots at an auction. And the  availability
of items may affect the quality of your hunt. Not all collectibles can
be found in all areas. Some items had regional distribution only. Some
were sold in huge quantities in some places and little in others. Some
items were just plain scarce to begin with. Take Depression glass for
example. This was one of the first collectibles I was interested in, and
early on I purchased a price guide book with colour photos that soon became
my “wish list.” I selected patterns that I liked and began
my search. While Depression glass is generally considered a popular and
plentiful collectible, I soon realized though that a couple of the patterns
I had chosen just couldn’t be found at all near where I live in
New Brunswick. And others I hadn’t considered seemed to turn up
everywhere. As a result, I quickly adjusted my tastes. Then the search
was fun again as the supply met my demand.
For any collectible, to avoid disappointment, a preliminary search or
talking to antique dealers and auctioneers to see what’s around
can help.
Affordability
Collecting something you can afford may seem obvious, but sometimes dreaming
of yard sale finds can affect anyone’s judgment. Or sometimes a
few lucky bargains at the beginning of a collection can lure you in and
give false hope for the future. If you have the will power to buy only
a very few items when the price is just right you may not need consider
this, but if you will be tempted to consistently spend more than you should,
maybe you should stop before you start. Also, the temptation to buy poorer
condition or damaged items to save money should be avoided. As an antique
dealer, I would have to say that having just a few excellent condition
items is better than a whole pile of inferior ones. In order to get an
idea of price, do a little comparison shopping at antique stores, shows
and flea markets, just as you would when buying furniture, appliances
or a car.
Competition
Years ago I used to have a thriving collection of Fire-King jadite glassware
until Martha Stewart broadcast how much she liked jadite and featured
it on her show. Then it became trendy and “hot.” Suddenly
I seemed to run into new jadite collectors everywhere. Because of so much
competition the search just wasn’t as fun. Having a few other local
collectors interested in the same thing is great as it is nice to compare
notes, but ten pairs of hands reaching for the same item at a show isn’t.
And while you may not know how much competition is out there until you
begin your search, it is something you can usually find out early on.
Space
If deciding between collecting spoons or oil lamps, thimbles or pressed
back chairs, you should definitely consider how much space in your house
you have to spare. Collecting something is no fun if the only place you
have to put it is in the garage or in a box in the basement. Thinking
about how to display what you acquire is important and something to consider
before you start buying.
A great collectible display is a wonderful decorative feature in a home
and a certain conversation starter when guests come over. And one thing
to remember if you do have a  desire
for a huge collection but not much shelf space, you can always rotate
your collection with the seasons like a museum does and put out just part
of it at a time.
Information
It is important to find out all you can about the items you collect. And
today more information is available than ever before. There are collectible
guide books on topics from vintage Barbie clothes to Corn Flower glassware
to tobacco tins. There are collector clubs with newsletters. There are
TV shows and magazines. And then there is the Internet. Educating yourself
about what you plan to collect before you even start allows you to know
what prices are fair, when an item is rare, or whether an item may be
altered in some way or be a reproduction, for example. Knowing what you’re
doing from the very beginning allows you to build the best quality collection
and have a lot of fun doing it. It allows you to relish a truly great
find because you know it is one.
So these are some things to think about when starting a collection. To
find out more about the collectible you seek, besides researching on your
own with books and the Internet, ask antique dealers, auctioneers and
flea market vendors.
And finally, just a friendly warning: if you ask many antique dealers
how they got into the business, the answer is often that they started
as a collector.
Riel
Nason
__________________________________________________________
Riel
Nason worked for the Canadian Antiques Roadshow as the first point of
contact for Roadshow attendees, both in Saint John and Halifax. A professional
antiques dealer since 1995, Riel specializes in depression era glass,
mass produced glass from the 1940s-60s and collectibles from the 1920s-60s.
She writes a regular column on collectibles for the New Brunswick Reader.
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