Collectors . . .
What makes people become collectors? Is it something that chimes in the soul? Here in Australia, we have a marvellous TV show called Collectors. It isn’t Antiques Roadshow styled, although antiques feature. Essentially it is about the collections that people make, why they collect them, even where they collect their ephemera. I collect blue and white Cornish Ware because I love the colour and the stripes and it reminds me of everything that Rosamund Pilcher has ever written about. As a child I dabbled in stamps and then model farms made by Britains (which I still have and which Dad built farm fences for. And stables and a tack room and fed shed.). I collected dolls from different countries too and when I travelled to different parts of the world, I bought a gold charm in every city. I also collect old books that appeal: childrens’ books mostly.
More recently though, I’ve become a collector of Lilliputian books . . . miniatures. The interest began when I was at the University of Tasmania Paper Mill and the lecturer, Penny Carey Wells, showed we students her own collection. I purchased an extravagant book called Miniature Books: 4000 years of Tiny Treasures by Anne C Bromer and Julian I Edison, (in which I hasten to add, my friend Rebecca Bingham is featured, p175) which further whetted my appetite.
I’d already been given a tiny Bible chained to a wooden lectern and made two or three miniature books myself. I then went to the Net to search for a miniature book for my friend Jane for a special birthday. Given her predilection for travel in exotic places and her love and expertise for silk embroidery, I discovered The Silk Road, a map book by a miniature press, Bo Press, and Pat Sweet and I struck up a friendship.
Slowly I am building a collection. I now have 16 miniatures, six of which are from Bo Press, some I have bought on E-bay and some I have had left to me by elderly family.
The latest arrived yesterday from Bo Press. I LOVE going to the letter box and finding a tiny box there, because I know immediately its from Pat. I take it to the kitchen, make a cup of tea, take the tea and the box to the family room, find my embroidery glasses, turn on my embroidery light and have such an indulgent moment splitting the package tape, undoing the lid, unrolling the crackling tissue and revealing a gem inside. Yesterday’s was really special and commemorates Pat’s, Rebecca’s and my collaboration in The Masked Ball blog event.. In my hand (on my palm) lay three different editions of the same story. One limited edition, the other two a little plainer.
But ‘plain’ seems too hard and crass a word to use to describe these little books that look as if they are bound in silks and laces from a fine French lingerie shop. My photos don’t do them justice, but they are the softest Regency stripe with fine point black lace.
Can’t wait to add these to my collection, but I’m still looking for inspiration on how to store and display them to best effect. Any ideas?
I used to collect porcelain dolls until I ran out of space and money so I understand your compulsion!
Isn’t the Masked Ball so wonderful? It really is a treasure, and you contributed!! What a marvellous feeling.
All I can suggest for display is one of those glass fronted wall-mounted cabinets that lets you see the miniatures without them getting dusty. It should be eye level of course!
Good suggestion Nikalee!
Containers for miniature books are their own collection, you know… I’ve got all sorts, but one of the ones that works best (although not covered) is a 2-level turntable made to hold cassette tapes. It revolves just like the larger counterpart and holds quite a few. A nice wooden 2-level lazy susan or a tiered cake tray makes an entertaining display. Neither of these would work if you have have pets that chew things… A nice medicine cabinet with the mirror replaced with glass displays well and hangs on the wall. I know one collector (he has a large collection) who built shallow boxes between the wall studs and fitted them with glass doors.
Wow, you have it sorted!
I still have a craving to set up a travel case like Andrea Jones. She effectively made a miniature gentleman’s library within this perfect leather travel-case. It was very innovative and original but at the same time funky and very Collectors (the Australian show)
I’m so glad you chose to post about collectors and collecting things Prue… I’m plotting my next story and one of the main characters is a collector! Since I never collected anything in my life (and kind of guilty of losing things constantly) or have anyone around me who collects, I’ve been trying to gather some information about why and how people collect things… I’ve never heard about that TV show but I’ll certainly will find & watch it.
Your collection looks fascinating, I love the miniature books! 🙂
Lua,
Try
http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/search/Collectors
You may be able to watch different episodes via I-View or Vodcast. I don’t think the ABC has sold Collectors outside of Australia but I just checked the website and there are episodes on the Net via the above link.
I get a enjoyment from visiting secondhand shops to search for Cornishware and old books. There is the thrill of the hunt I suppose, then holding the precious and much desired piece in your hands. My collections are very small, some people I have seen on the Collectors’ show have their whole house filled with their collections to the point where it becomes pure obsession.
I used to collect swapcards at school, we all did. And recess and lunch were spent swapping cards with each other. Can you imagine doing that now in this age of fear of infection and illness? I still have 50 or so of my cards (usually the jokers from playing cards) and I notice that a large proportion are horses which I was obsessed with as a child!
Thank you so much for the link Prue- it’s very helpful! My character is kind of on the obsessive side of the collecting act and I’m trying to get inside her mind but it is not easy for like I mentioned, I’ve never collected anything in my life… But this has been really helpful, thank you again 🙂
I am a collector of EVERYTHING. I cannot throw anything away. I am terrible. But wifey’s the same. Hence our large house is absolutely packed with junk.
the only thing i really collect are books. but then i give them away at certain points. the minis you mention here are so adorable! i still have to treat myself to Pat’s Masked Ball ;-D
Velvet, all three editions are truly beautiful. V.V. feminine and the antithesis of steampunk, quite a contrast. But if I had a preference, I would say the boxed book is my favourite because I love the idea of pulling things out of boxes and opening them. Secretive and special.
I forgot to tell you that Edison and Bromer gave miniature copies of their Miniature Books: 4000 Years of Tiny Treasures to the members of the Miniature Book Society year the year it was published. It’s one of my treasures!
Envy! Rampant!