Collector Discipline

For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories (Plato)

Collectors need many attributes if they are to, over time, build a collection they are proud of. Patrick Bell at Olde Hope Antiques names three. Passion and knowledge are two. (And of course money never hurts). But collectors also need self-control and restraint. To build a good collection requires focus and planned intention. 

“Be Patient” is an essential principle for collectors and can help prevent costly mistakes and enhance the enjoyment of the process. Let us explore another maxim of collecting: discipline.

Personal discipline as a virtue has a long and rich history. Philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle emphasized self-control and moderation. Aristotle’s notion of the “Golden Mean” advocated for balance and restraint, seeing discipline as essential for achieving virtue and the good life. Stoic philosophers, such as Epictetus and Seneca, stressed the importance of self-discipline in overcoming passions and achieving tranquility.

From a religious perspective discipline is central to Buddhist practice while early Christian teaching emphasized control over one’s desires to foster spiritual growth. During the Enlightenment, thinkers like Kant emphasized autonomy and self-discipline as essential for the ability to reason and make ethical choices. 

It does not matter if a collector leans toward Eastern philosophies wherein discipline is often linked to harmony and collective well-being, or Western views that emphasize individual achievement and autonomy. Collectors whose goal it is to build a collection with which they are pleased need discipline, the third leg of Mr. Bell’s milking stool for collector success. 

Discipline is crucial as it fosters patience, research, and strategic decision-making. This might involve setting strict budgets, not overpaying, adhering to a defined collecting focus, or committing to regular market research. For example, a disciplined collector might create a detailed inventory and stick to a collection plan, avoiding impulse buys that stray from her goals (and often lead to regret). Discipline does many things for a collector.

Practical Matters. A dealer friend and collector reminded me that discipline permeates everyday collecting behaviors. Staying engaged is important for a collector ¾ getting up and going to the show even when the collector might not feel like it, paying attention to an auction so he does not miss the lot he has targeted. In the digital era, perhaps such discipline is a bit of a lost art.

Focus and Clarity. Discipline helps collectors define their niche, whether it is a specific artist or craftsman, period, or style. This focus prevents a collection from becoming haphazard. My wife and I focus on high-country furniture and suitable accessories from the same period, or a bit earlier and later. Formal furniture would look out of place, and our home lacks the size to properly arrange it. We recently fell in love with a pair of silver candlesticks. They would look lovely with a formal drop front desk and other formal antiques but not with our collection (or so we thought. See the “important caveat” and the end of this column.) 

Such focus allows collectors to become familiar with the segment of the market that they collect. It allows them to be knowledgeable and “dig deep” when it comes to research and the questions that they ask themselves and dealers.

Focus and clarity help collectors avoid some familiar collecting traps. While others may be excited about a nice piece, fresh to the market or one with noted provenance, a collector with discipline attends to what antiques enhance his collection. Similarly to a solid investor, such a collector avoids the crowd mentality. As I pen this, pie safes seem “in.” Such a collector would only purchase one if he has always wanted such a piece. Tallcase clocks seem to be doing a bit better in what they bring. A focused collector would not purchase one because he thinks the prices will rise even more but because he loves one.

Even a piece with a wonderful story is to be passed up. And focus and clarity provide a firewall against auction frenzy.

Budget Management. No matter a collector’s financial wherewithal setting a budget is vital. Disciplined collectors track expenses and resist the temptation to overspend on impulse purchases. This not only protects financial stability but also ensures funds are available for significant pieces. As collectors and their collections mature over time pieces may become more expensive. Collectors may be upgrading and the “better or best” may take a great number of dollars. 

Budget management goes hand in hand with focus and clarity. Instead of looking at many genres and choosing and spending willy nilly, there may only be a few genres the collector wants to purchase. Focus and clarity, therefore, makes it easier for the collector to spend, and perhaps spend large when the appropriate antique is available. The collector may have waited a long time to upgrade a painting or piece of furniture he is focused on. 

Research and Education. A disciplined approach involves ongoing education about the market, artists, and craftsmen, and trends. This may include reading books, attending lectures, or joining collector groups. Knowledge empowers collectors to make informed decisions and avoid pitfalls. It allows them to spend their dollars wisely and be proud of their collections. 

Networking and Relationships. Such research and education often have a networking component. Reaching out to auction houses, dealers, and fellow collectors allows them to become familiar with the collector’s wants and needs. The hope of course is that they keep in touch when a piece the collector would probably covet enters the marketplace.

Building relationships with dealers, fellow collectors, and curators requires time and effort. Disciplined collectors attend exhibitions, fairs, and auctions regularly, creating a network that can provide insights and opportunities. In brief, discipline has its rewards but can be frustrating and it is hard work. There is no guarantee of a payoff.

Patience and Timing. Already alluded to is that great collections often take years to build. Discipline fosters patience, allowing collectors to wait for the right pieces rather than rushing into purchases that may not fit their vision. A collecting maxim worth heeding is: Don’t Buy the First One You See. Rushing into purchases without patience and research typically is a fool’s errand. 

Specific Examples of Discipline in Collecting

There are some specific tasks awaiting a collector who values discipline. 

Create a Collection Plan. A collector might outline specific goals, such as completing a series of works by a particular artist or era. To be honest I have never made a collection plan. I have one in my head as I assume many collectors do. For example, I would purchase another Thomas Chambers’ painting of the “right” scene (for me) in a heartbeat if I could. A nice painted New England blanket chest also is in my plans, as is another silver, American teapot.

Establish a Collection Timeline. Some collectors set timelines for acquiring certain pieces, ensuring they remain focused and proactive rather than reactive. For instance, a collector may aim to acquire a specific painting within two years, allowing her to budget and research accordingly. My experience is that the “real” world of collecting makes hay out of my timelines. A piece I covet may never enter the marketplace or may cost such that other pieces in my timeline are unaffordable. Nonetheless, a timeline may provide motivation and urgency for a collector who reaches out to dealers and auction houses more regularly than she might have. 

Regularly Review the Collection. Discipline also involves reassessing one’s collection periodically. This could mean evaluating pieces for relevance, condition, or market value, and deciding whether to keep, sell, or trade. I try to do this by focusing on one room in our home every so often. Which pieces must remain? Which, regardless of their condition and connoisseurship quality would I dearly miss, and thus must keep? Which do I look at and ask myself, “Why do we own that?” “What would I replace it with?”

Maintain Documentation. Keeping detailed records of purchases, provenance, and condition reports is a hallmark of disciplined collectors. This not only aids in insurance and valuation but also helps track growth and changes in the collection over time. My wife and I have two such lists. One contains all that we own, the second we have labeled “the best that we own.” The latter is divided into sections (e.g., paintings, weathervanes, furniture).

Reading our lists complements my walk through of the house. I am often surprised at the number of a specific genre we have (either low or high). Or how long we have had a certain piece. I also have found that it is easy for me to forget condition problems certain antiques have until I see the issues in black and white.

Set Acquisition Criteria. Again, this is something I have in my head instead of written form. I know constitutes a worthwhile acquisition— authenticity, condition, and historical significance. Sticking to these criteria prevent emotional decision-making. Even so, nothing is added to our collection now unless it makes us smile mightily.

Discipline in collecting transforms a hobby into a meaningful pursuit. It enables collectors to build cohesive collections that reflect their passions and interests while increasing the chances of their strategic growth. By maintaining focus and structure, collectors can navigate the complexities of the art and antique markets with more confidence and foresight they would bring to collecting otherwise.

An Important Caveat! Pay Attention!

A collector must be prepared to toss his discipline out the window—all of it. There are times he must listen to his heart. I think of a Windsor chair in original green paint. It was not an object included in my discipline. We had no room for it in our home. But I should have purchased it and rue the day my love was trumped by the firm hand of regiment. In my case I would have been well served if” the best laid plans of mice and men [and collectors] often go awry” (Robert Burns). The silver candlesticks mentioned earlier are now in our collection. We loved them so that we took the risk of their fitting in. They do so and add to our collection.

Perhaps a disciplined collector would put aside dollars for affairs of the heart. Balancing well-intentioned plans with the unknown are what makes collecting so daunting at times and yet so much fun.

As with other collecting maxims discipline is a worthy endeavor, most of the time, all things being equal.