What’s A Collector?

By Henry J. Pratt

Surely, trillions of words have been written and published about antiques and collectibles, as well as the men and women hobbyists across the country who buy, hold and sell interesting items from America’s yesteryear.

One dictionary definition of the word “collector” reads: “A person or thing that collects items…such as stamps.” That really doesn’t tell us much about collectors, their motivation, what turns them on, the fun they have collecting, the “mad money” they can earn, and the enthusiasm they can share with one another in pursuing their hobby.

Ted Crom, a horology (timepiece) hobbyist, says, “I believe a hobby is to have fun with, to let you relax, to get your mind off other problems.” In collecting, there’s “complete absorption of mind required by refinishing a case, making a new watch part, studying the life of a maker, researching the development of an improvement, exchanging views with another collector, preparing a paper or talk for the group, buying and selling at the mart, and digging in antique shops.

“So how do we get the most fulfillment from our hobby?” Crom asks. He explains that each of us has our own bag, but a major step is to “get involved ” in your hobby and collecting effort. Crom says, “You should personally contribute to your hobby association or chapter activities.

“Each member of each chapter has some knowledge the rest of us do not. Encourage your membership to give short talks on their collections….Have the members plan activities to get others involved.”

Finally, Crom says, “The collector’s a guy without an ulcer, having a ball, an interesting member of his community, a preserver of our historical heritage, a student and mechanic, a really busy fellow piling up his fun so that in part it can be measured in ever-increasing dollars and sense. Get aboard, all the way, and have a lark.”