I have spent the last decade writing about collector experiences. My goal is to put collectors front and center in the American antique world. While “comfortable” in my retirement and middle class, dollars for antiques were not always readily available, and still are not at the highest levels. I read the coffee table books of the noted and wealthy highlighting their collections to train my eye, and with a bit of envy. My thought was that there were many collectors such as I who were worthy, who provided the backbone of American antique collecting, but were not rich.
(An aside. I have always been surprised that one of the regular publications about American antiques does not have an ongoing column written by a dealer to talk about the American antique universe from a dealer’s perspective.)
Why am I bringing all this up now. I shall tell you. I just finished a wonderful book titled, Out of the Attic that recounts how collecting American antiques in the world we inhabit was not always so. The author talks about how early in the 20th century collecting American antiques moved from “this is the Smith family spoon;” they have lived in our town for 6 generations to connoisseurship – form, surface, proportions, and the like. In other words, valued American antiques moved from family heirlooms to stellar works of talented craftsmen.
We take for granted, at least I do as a collector, that collecting involves a marketplace, auction houses and dealers, one type of consumer goods. It has always been this way in our lifetimes. I recommend the book highly except for one issue. I am back to collectors being significant.
One chapter highlights a couple who loved antiques passionately but could not collect at the highest levels because of fiscal constraints (think of you and me). They are called dedicated amateurs. To say I took and take umbrage at this label is to understate the rise in my blood pressure when I saw them thus labeled. My thought was: “What are we, (the nonwealthy collectors of American antiques) chopped liver?”
I hope not. While The Bee and Maine Antique Digest regularly review shows and auctions where pieces are beyond my means, they also cover venues of all types for the more middle-class collector, “dedicated amateurs” if you will. I appreciate this.
I have always wanted to edit a book where non-rich collectors could showcase one piece in their collections, they thought special and especially good. The item could be pictured with a description of the piece and the story that accompanies it. Call the book:
Collectors Next Door or
Ordinary Collectors, Extraordinary Objects or
The Heart of Collecting or
Treasures of Everyday Collectors
Let me know your thoughts on the matter and such a book. I would greatly appreciate it.
Come Collect With Me 