Posted by I think it’s strange that some people (and even some birds and animals) collect things, but not all. I am a collector. My husband is not. I walk into an antique store and I’m in one of my happy places and I see treasures. My husband is bored to tears and often thinks “what a load of junk.”
But why does anybody collect things? I honestly think for some of us it’s part of our wiring. On a neurological level finding that perfect/unique/lovely/odd item stimulates our pleasure center. It feels good. It makes us happy. But it’s likely more complicated and there are many reasons why people start collecting. Perhaps the most common one is that the item appeals to us. Something about it intrigues us or we find it beautiful and we want to own it. For others it may be nostalgia. Trying to recapture a bit of the past with a nod to simpler times. Some like having a piece of history. I have old engraved sterling silver pieces that move me, including a little English bowl engraved on the rim “Alexander Walker 5th of February 1894 from Grand Uncle Izat.” I envision this bewhiskered, cane-wielding grand uncle picking out this little bowl for his grand nephew’s birth which makes me enjoy it more though it’s total fiction!
For some collecting is an investment which seems the most boring reason and somewhat risky. Things can go in and our of favor before you notice. For others the social aspect (collector’s clubs and societies) may be a key factor.
All this said, collecting is simple to do but the “why” is a complex mix and what attracts people is truly odd.
“It is amazing the things people collect–teeth and toupees, skulls and chamber pots, trolley car transfers, hair and fans and kites and forceps, dogs and coins, canes, cameras, facts, data on Siamese twins or the Dionne quintuplets, Presley stuff and Beatles stuff and buttons and fans and bones, hat pins and forged signatures and first editions–and how devoted their proprietorship is.”
Barbara Grizzuti Harrison
I have collected a variety of things over the years–antique sterling spoons, vintage sterling charm bracelets, antique trophies, antique Scottish horn cups–and I have truly enjoyed them. They’ve been used, worn, displayed and appreciated. But I’m continuing to downsize. It’s time.
Not sure if I’m going to list these yet!
I have two great aunts to “blame” for collecting spoons. When I was younger I inherited a few antique sterling silver souvenir spoons from them and I hung onto them even though they didn’t mean much to me at the time. Then in my 30s I started started noticing old spoons in antique stores. Eventually I bought one and that opened the door or Pandora’s Box if you will. When eBay came along I bought more. Lots more. When my daughters were young I let them choose a spoon for our morning “coffee.” Mostly milk for them and they loved picking their favorite spoon to stir it.
Eventually I stopped buying. And for a few years I’ve been selling off some of them only keeping my absolute favorites. But I realized I could part with more so this past week I’ve been on a spoon listing spree.
These type of souvenir spoons became popular in the U.S. in the 1890s and remained so till the end of WWI. The detail on them is amazing and the subject matter includes historical figures, events, buildings, flowers, animals, angels, well, just about anything really.
The enamel crest spoon with the three crowns is actually the coat of arms for Oxford University and is hallmarked for 1902. So far I haven’t found any for sale online exactly like this though I found a 1907 bookmark by the same maker that sold for $245!
Today collectors for these antique sterling spoons is a small niche group but I hope someone will be tempted by my spoons. Here’s the link to all those available in my Etsy store.
Would love to hear about your collections and how you got started.
Happy hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 