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THOUGHT
FREE
PUBLICATION:
COLLECTING THINGS 01/12
The first ever issue of the awaited Though Publication. After months of planning, researching and getting it altogether, we present to you; 'Collecting Things'.
Whether you're a keen collector already or totally against the idea of it, we hope this publication would provide you with a dose of something different to think about today.
We hope to connect with our readers, whether it is to make them stop and think, or to inspire them. Anything else is a bonus!
ISSUE 01 JANUARY 01.01.2011 PUBLISHED BY ARCHIVE SANS NEXT ISSUE: 01.02.2011
Introduction:
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Inside:
1ST ISSUE
02-03 What is Thought Publication / Contents page
14-15 08-09
Feature: The V&A Museum - London The largest collectors in the UK
Case Study 02 A collector of Pokemon Cards discusses why he started collecting after giving them up as a child. “Looking back through the cards reminds me of being young and brings back memories”
20-21
Case Study 06 Already collect but it’s just there collecting dust? We got some nice ideas from a collector of inyl toys. “I have a shelving system for my 100% bearbricks”
04-05
‘Collecting Things’ An introduction looking into the ideas, philosophy and history of collecting things.
16-17 10-11
Case Study 03 Who says collecting costs a lot? We interviewed a collector of printed menus who has so far spent nothing to obtain his collection
Case Study 04 Most people are collectors but either don’t realize it or they refuse to accept the fact that they are. A collector of dept explains.
22-23
Case Study 07 A collector of retro games discusses his obsession and his plans for his collection.
06-07
Case Study 01 Who says collecting things is being materialistic? We find out as we talk to a collector of friends “Just to re-connect with people who have meant a lot to me over the years”
18-19
Case Study 05 Collecting isn’t simply about Spoilt for choice hoarding things. A list of possible things to collect, “Make it fun, so that you never fall from the most typical to the obscure. out of love with what you own”
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Collecting Things:
The hobby of collecting includes seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever items are of interest to the individual collector. Some collectors are generalists, accumulating merchandise, or stamps from all countries of the world. Others focus on a subtopic within their area of interest, perhaps 19th century postage stamps, milk bottle labels from Sussex, or Mongolian harnesses and tack. The items collectors collect may be antique, or simply collectible. Antiques are collectible items at least 100 years old; collectibles are less than antique, and may even be new. Collectors and dealers may use the word vintage to describe older collectibles. Most collectibles are man-made commercial items, but some private collectors collect natural objects such as birds’ eggs, butterflies, rocks, and seashells. Items which were once everyday objects may now be collectible since almost all those once produced have been destroyed or discarded (see Ephemera). Some collectors collect only in childhood while others continue to do so throughout their lives and usually modify their aims later in life. Philately, phillumeny, and deltiology (collecting postage stamps, matchboxes and postcards) are examples of forms of collecting which can be undertaken at minimal expense. HISTORY Collecting is a practice with a very old cultural history. The Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty collected books from all over the known world at the Library of Alexandria. The Medici family, in Renaissance Florence, made the first effort to collect art by private patronage, this way artists could be free for the first time from the money given by the Church and Kings; this citizenship tradition continues today with the work of private art collectors. Many of the world’s popular museums-from the Metropolitan in New York City to the Thyssen in Madrid or the Franz Mayer in Mexico City--have collections formed by the generous collectors that donated them to be seen by the general public. The collecting hobby is a modern descendant of the “cabinet of curiosities” which was common among scholars with the means and opportunities to acquire unusual items from the 16th century onwards. Planned collecting of ephemeral publications goes back at least to George Thomason in the reign of Charles I and Samuel Pepys in that of Charles II. Collecting engravings and other prints by those whose means did not allow them to buy original works of art also goes back many centuries. The involvement of larger numbers of people in collecting activities comes with the prosperity and increased leisure for some in the later 19th century in industrial countries. That is when collecting such items as antique china, furniture and decorative items from oriental countries becomes
established.
wish to chat with collectors with similar interests in specialized forums via the Internet. Fellow collectors BEGINNING A COLLECTION are usually very happy to share information with new Some novice collectors start purchasing items that collectors; this includes information about where they appeal to them, and then slowly work at acquiring have been successful in acquiring their collectibles, knowledge about how to build a collection. Others where they have struggled and what they are looking (more cautious or studious types) want to develop for. Collectors’ forums allow for an open exchange some background in the field before starting to buy of information, sometimes with experts available to items. The term antique generally refers to items made answer questions and offer guidance. In addition, at least 100 years ago or more. In some fields, such several web-sites specializing exclusively in the selling as antique cars, the time frame is less stringent-—25 and trading of collectibles have been launched in years or so being considered enough time to make a recent years to help collectors manage their items car a “classic” if not an antique. Traditionally in the area as well as compare, connect, and trade directly with of furniture, the 1830s was regarded as the limit for others. antique furniture. However Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and some types of 20th century furniture can all be Learning from retailers and direct marketers is regarded as collectible. considered a great way to gain an education in collecting. Collectors may establish a relationship with In general, then, items of significance, beauty, values a retailer that specializes in limited editions. Those on or interest that are “too young” to be considered direct mail literature mailing lists can learn a great deal antiques, fall into the realm of collectibles. But not all from the support that many dealers supply. collectibles are limited editions, and many of them have been around for decades: for example, the CATALOGING, INSURANCE & MANTAINENCE popular turn-of-the-century posters, Art Deco and Art Collectibles experts tend to agree that a collector Nouveau items, Carnival and Depression era glass, etc. should begin keeping a record as soon as they start In addition, there exists the “contemporary collectibles” collecting, of all details of purchase and price. Without category, featuring items like plates, figurines, bells, this information, prospective buyers and insurance graphics, steins, and dolls. appraisers may not take the collector’s word. It is also recommended to take a photograph or video of each Many collectors enjoy making a plan for their item or groups of items where each may be easily collections, combining education, stimulation and identified. Records can be made in a format suitable experimentation to develop a personal collecting style; for the collector, from a simple spiral notebook to a and even those who reject the notion of “planned computer software program designed for collectibles. collecting” can refine their “selection skills” with some In addition to the information the collector records, it’s background information on the methods of collecting. a good idea to keep all written material and certificates that came with the collectibles-—receipts, flyers and STRATEGIES stories, care and handling instructions, etc. They will Collectors’ magazines are one of the most popular help to document a collection for resale or replacement means to learn more about the field. Attending in the future. At least one website now exists where conventions and collectibles shows is another collectors can permanently register their collections in way for a collector to familiarize him or herself with an online database with a photograph and description the possibilities. These shows will often include of each item. The collector can affix an inconspicuous seminars on a variety of subjects such as artists, identifying tag or seal that is virtually impossible to companies, decorating with collectibles or how to counterfeit. Having such a record of the collection insure a collection. For example, the NCC (National stored separately is good insurance in case of a Council of 56 Clubs) has individual member clubs that disaster such as fire and is an aid to law enforcement host regional gatherings each year for collectors of in thwarting thieves. Department 56 lighted villages. When it comes to insuring a collection, the first step A collector may find and join a local club for people is generally to check one’s present homeowner or who collect plates or other limited edition items. renter’s policy to find out how extensive coverage Collector publications frequently list the location, may be in the case of fire, burglary, or other risk. date and time of club meetings as a service to new Some policies carry a fairly high maximum payment collectors. Collectors who have already narrowed their for items such as collectibles, while others offer very collecting horizons to the creations of a particular little of this type of protection. Compare the amount producer may want to join a club that focuses on of coverage available with the value of the collection. this producer’s work. A potential collector may If the homeowner’s policy is deemed inadequate,
collectors have the option of contacting insurance companies that offer special policies for collectibles. It is essential as well that one determines how the value of items would be assessed by an insurance company: on replacement value, purchase price, or some type of “depreciated value.” A collector is most likely to obtain the best price for additional coverage or riders on a collection if they work with an insurance agent who already does business with them. Approaching an agent with a request for coverage just on a collection—unless it is extensive and valuable—is not likely to kindle a great deal of enthusiasm on their part. Other collectors might be a good source of information on insurance protection. Caring for a collection requires two main tasks: security and cleaning/maintenance. Display valuables out of reach of children and pets, and in environments where heat, humidity, and sunlight are controlled. Avoid fire hazards, and make sure there are sufficient smoke detectors in good working order. Collectors with extensive holdings may want to consider an alarm system with sensors and electric eye equipment — especially if they live in a crime-heavy area or if the home is well known as one that contains many valuables.
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is purchased, most of the costs associated with the retail price (i.e. advertising, production cost, shipping cost, etc.) must be deducted from the retail cost to determine the object’s immediate value on the secondary market, thus, retail cost is not equivalent to secondary market resale value. Depending on several different factors, individuals, auctioneers, and secondary retailers may sell a collectible for more, the same, or less than what they originally paid for it. These factors include, but are not limited to, condition, age, supply, and demand. The 1960s through the early 1990s were major years for the manufacturing of contemporary collectibles. While some individuals purchased contemporary collectibles to enjoy and use, many purchased them as investments. Speculative secondary markets developed for many of these pieces. Because so many people bought for investment purposes, duplicates are common. And although many collectibles were labeled as “limited editions,” the actual number of items produced was very large. The result of this is that there is very little demand for many (but not all) items produced during this time period, which means their secondary market values are often low.
convenient with the advent of Internet auctions and trading. It has never been easier to track down a retired piece, and to reach out to dozens of dealers using e-mail or their websites. Most retailers tend to focus on one or two specific lines. Their activity in acquiring inventory adds liquidity to the market, and their sales of retired pieces are important to establishing a trend in value that is more consistent than random sales between individuals that may not be meaningfully documented. The public and dealers alike use Internet auction websites to buy and sell collectibles. The thrill of “winning” an auction, and the convenience of shopping from home have contributed to a shift in volume from in-store sales of retired pieces to auction/mail order sales through such auction sites. When buying expensive retired pieces, an escrow account for funds transfer may decrease the buyer’s chance of losing their money. A form of fraud on the buy side involves swapping a defective piece for a good one bought via auction. In this case, the buyer, who may have a repaired piece, or a slightly defective one, buys a mint condition piece from the edition via auction and ships the defective one to the seller, demanding a refund on the auction. Sellers should record item numbers and other details about the piece before shipping so the seller has the facts they need to avoid this scam.
There is no secondary market for an item unless someone is willing to buy it, and an object’s value is whatever the buyer is willing to pay for it. Industry In terms of maintenance and cleaning of collectibles, leaders believe that the secondary market is important the proper advice depends upon the medium and the for several reasons: primarily to allow experienced delicacy of the item involved. Many firms supply Care collectors to upgrade their collections, to stimulate the and Handling sheets with their products, and these market and encourage new collectors, and to provide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collecting should be kept for future reference. Collectors can call a means for monetary appreciation. To upgrade a or write to the Customer Service Department of the collection, a collector may wish to dispose of things manufacturer of an item if they are in doubt as to how they no longer enjoy to produce the capital to buy to care for it. In general, it is considered good advice to other things. To stimulate the market, collectors may keep hand-painted items out of direct sunlight to avoid obtain some good quality pieces that have been traded fading. Hand-painted items of terracotta, pewter, and in the past. They have an opportunity to learn the some other materials should not be handled any more history of the hobby by owning some of the items that than necessary, to avoid smudges or chipping. Never have been favorites in the past. Another reason is to put a collectible plate or other item in the dishwasher make money, by selling an item with appreciated value. — most are not dishwasher safe. Porcelain collector plates may be carefully washed by hand with a mild A price guide is a resource such as a book or website soap, and spray-rinsed. Most porcelain figurines may that lists typical selling prices. The first price guide was be lightly dusted or spray-washed and rinsed with the Stanley Gibbons catalogue issued in November mild soap and a gentle spray of water. Do not immerse 1865. figurines in water. To avoid problems with dust and dirt, many collectors favor frames and display cases ON THE INTERNET with protective glass, especially for valuable or intricate The Internet offers many resources to any collector: items. personal sites presenting one’s collection, online collectible catalogs, dealer/shops websites displaying SECONDARY MARKET their merchandise, Internet trading platforms, collector The retail price of a collectible is valid only at the clubs, autograph club, collector forums and collector moment it was purchased. Once the collectible comes mailing lists. into the buyer’s possession, its value is linked to what is called the secondary market. Once a collectible Finding retired editions has become much more
Case Study 01: A Collector of friends
Name: Kate emma Fenton Age: 21 Occupation: Graphic Design Student Home Town: London Current City: Leeds
What do you collect? I collect Friends What’s your reason for this collection? Non-intensional. Just have met significant amount of people due to organizations/unis/schools, plus being friendly and smiley helps. What do you like/enjoy about your collection? Im good at something.Finally What got you started? Nothing, accidental collection When did your collection start? I guess since I got facebook...... 4-5 years ago What do you do and where do you go to build up your collection? If i go traveling I am bound to meet more people What do you do with your collection? Be awsome What have you got planned with your collection in the next few years? Just to re-connect with people who have meant a lot to me over the years What else would you like to collect? More watches. I have many watches, mainly of the childish nature, but i collect them and would love to build on that What’s preventing you from collecting this? Money What advice do you have for people who are thinking about collecting? Just go for your dreams. Not necessarily in terms of my collection, but collecting things says alot about your personality and is a nice thing to give to the next generation. Weather they want it or not!
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Case Study 02: A Collector of Original Pokemon Cards
Name: Nathan Evans Age: 21 Occupation: Administration/Accounts clerk Home town: Whittlesey Current City: Peterborough
What do you do and where do you go to build up your collection? I used to just buy the single packs from local shops and newsagents which consisted of 11 cards and I can understand the idea of collecting them almost 10 years ago were a mixture of character cards, when they first came out, but what’s energy/ trainer cards and if you the reason for collecting them now? were lucky a holographic, but now the cards which I collect have Originally started collecting as a child at primary school with a been discontinued. the only place group of friends but when I started you can get hold of them now are secondary school, I slowly lost websites such as eBay and amazon interest. Over the past few weeks or specialist trading card sites but i’ve slowly but surely added to my you have to be carefull of what you collection which now includes over are buying. There are more and 300 cards. more fake cards circulating around these sites now. What is it that you like/enjoy about your collection? Most people see collecting as a Reminds me of my youth. Looking waste of space, it takes time to back through the cards reminds maintain it, dust etc. What do you me of being young and brings back do with your collection? memories. ATM my collection is displayed in a Pokemon cards are alot more official pokemon folder. This helps valuable and the original cards keep the cards in mint condition. seem to be alot more sort after I do plan on selling my collection now days to when thy were first one day because they are slowly realeased all those years ago. You becoming harder and harder to could say thy have become quite a get hold of. Base set cards such as mine can range from 99p ( for a “collectors item” common card ) right upo £25 per card. ( holographic/ rare card) What got you started? I guess when I first started What have you got planned with collecting it was the “in” thing to your collection? do. Break times at primary school Just keep buying single cards to usually consisted of a group of complete the set really. I’m only a people crowed round in a circle handfull of cards away from doing trading cards with eachother. Most that now so with anyluck It should if my mates had the sane hobbies be complete soon. After that I plan as I did which mean they also to keep them for a few more years, collected them aswell. then maybe think about Selling them on for a good price. When did your collection start? I’d say I first started collecting in about year 5/6 at primary school which would of made me about 10 years old. This was when the original pokemon cards were released. What do you collect? Original pokemon cards base set , fossil set and jungle set.
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What else would you like to collect if there was nothing stopping you? If money was no issue i’d quite like my own garage full of expensive cars. Ferrari’s, bugatti’s lambo’s etc. I’d also quite like framed and signed manchester united shirts of different players throughout the years. What’s preventing you from collecting these things? The obvious really. Money!!!! Seeing as the bottom of the range Ferrari is about £90,000, and a bugatti is anything upto £1,000,000, I can’t really afford it. What advice do you have for people who are thinking about collecting? Never spend more than u can afford, you should set yourself a budget and stick to it as there’s always gonna be something else that’ll come along at a cheaper price. Don’t go spending money on something that u don’t really want. Before you start collecting, always research what you are planning on buying first. Also, be carefull your not buying any fakes, there’s a lot of them around with everything really ranging from phones to games consoles. Finally when you recieve your item, take care of it, 9 times out of 10 it’ll be worth more a few years down the line.
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Case Study 03: A Collector of Printed Menus
Name: Tim Wan Age: 21 Occupation: Graphic Design Student Home town: Peterborough Current City: Leeds
When did your collection start? What do you collect? It started roughly 2-3 years ago. I collect a vast range of printed menus from anywhere that has one. What do you do and where do you go to build up your collection? How big is your collection? I don’t intentionally go out to eat So far, it have about 143 menus just for a menu, it’s more of a post from 5 different countries. visit thing so apart from just picking them up during a meal, I don’t really What’s your reason for this actively do much to build up collection? the collection. I like to document the things I eat, instead of photographing them, I prefer to collect the menu’s from the What do you do with your collection? actual places to remind me of my At the moment, it’s all stored away, experience in context. I don’t really want it out incase the colours start fading away from What do you like about your sunlight, but in the next year when collection? I move into my new house, I do The vast range of print and design intend to cover the walls entirely qualities, the choice of food that with the menus I’ve collected over there are on offer, that altogether the last few years! reminds me of my experiences at these particular places. Having What have you got planned with these menu’s also allows me to your collection in the next few almost relive the frustration of years? making a decision on what to Refer to previous question. order at the time. What got you started? I started a few years ago when I was on holiday in Hong Kong, there was such a huge choice of food to eat there at pretty decent prices, so as a result I was literally eating out for every single meal of the day for a whole month. I wanted to record this experience, and remember each restaurant/cafe that I went to. It was very popular for the menu’s to contain the picture of the meals, I remember this well as I’d always check if they had pictures on the menus before I went in as I couldn’t read chinese very well! As a result, I decided to take a menu, which started off this habit of collecting menus & other print based work.
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What else would you like to collect? I would like to collect all of Doraemon’s gadgets and design awards! Ha What’s preventing you from collecting this? I guess as Doraemon is from the future, I’m just waiting for our technology to advance to that level, so that’s physically impossible at the moment. As for the design awards....well first I need to do some amazing work first!
What advice do you have for people who are thinking about collecting? First of all, I’d highly recommend it and would really encourage people to start collecting something! People normally associate collecting things with collecting typical things like ornaments or coins, but this is completely untrue. What you collect is totally of your choice and you can make it completely random or extremely personal and specific to yourself. What you do with your collection is the intersting part; some people like to display them out, whereas collectors of trading cards for example regularly trade and are constantly looking for upgrades etc. Other’s prefer to store them away and only take them out for certain events. Also, collecting things is completely flexible and is an ongoing things, you can add as little as one piece to your collection once a year, it doesn’t take much effort to maintain and quite often, the things you collect would probably be free or very cheap!
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Picture frames Bullets Empty bottles Cardigans Beer matts Pokemon cards Stamps Rubbers Digital photo files Websites bookmarks Hats Baseball Caps Catholic stuff Art Coins Cross stitch patterns China Cooking utensils Trainers T-shirts Containers Glass Board games Money Autographs Arachnids / invertibrates Knowledge Anything with sharks on Paper dolls Marbles Wine American flags Things from childhood Transformers Sports cards Clowns Memories
Car books Phone brochures Argos Catalogues Retro games Travel magazines Friends Beanie babies Limited edition prints Speeding tickets 1950’s ceramic ashtrays Barbie dolls Vintage doll furniture Fountain pends Stray cats Playing cards Fridge magnets Shoes Debt Ideas Names Mice Wooden bowls/ plates Plants Old paper Mp3 files Cassette tapes Bandanas Fossls Scientific journals Spoons Arghan war rugs Classical greek pottery Coffee cups Tea bags Free stuff from shops Free stuff from the street Wooden boxes
Lego Bubble gum machines Yellow things Vintage cards Postcads Lint/Dust Vintage clothes Train tickets Apple products Receipts Hand bags Political books Newspaper Printed Menus Vinyl toys Maps Nikon camera lenses Buttons Fashion magazines Old Playstation games Nintendo things Gig tickets Bikes Football stickers Design magazines Starwars figures Cinema tickets Miniture shoes Old film cameras Jpeg files Diamonds Mirrors Holiday snaps Fabrics Language books Light bulbs Classical music cds Original paintings Swatch watches Pogs Power balls Slyvanians DVDs Hair Mobile phones Starbucks cups Calendars Clocks Supercars Phone numbers Woodblock type Things people don’t want Feathers Bricks Leaves Used batteries Fifty pence Portraits of family Portraits of strangers Used envelopes Rubbish Religious iconography Shotglasses from travels Ancient maps Keys letter openers Pen/pencil holders Paper weights Oriental teacups Chocolates Christmas presents Red envelopes Minature animals Train station photos / images Anything Venice Manga
Commission Insects Ikea furniture Crisp packets Vhs Wooden chopsticks Pictures of flight meals Nice packaging Fonts Yoyo Paper Sand Fat Photos of food Information £50 notes Credit cards Emails Dead flowers Blogs Old tvs Text messages Colours Tin robots Sex toys Action figures Rubber ducks Pets Stuffed birds Belts Badges Cotton buds List of bands you’ve seen Useless wires Post it notes Chalk bags Piercings Tattoos Bird eggs
Calculators Facebook status Laces Vending machines Flight cards Sucrology Harley Davidson Classic cars Chavvy cars Corks Lunch boxes Butterlies 70’s themed costumes Skulls Model trains Tamagotchi Thunderbird toys/figures Disney collectibles Advertisements Knives Fireworks Milk bottles Surveys Carrier bags Muji stuff Vcds Cartoons Audio clips Facebook friends Clothing labels Expired film Free PDF files Adidas trainers Coca Cola cans Snoopy collectibles Shopping lists Guitars Cables & wires
Brooches Dresses Work experience Hair extensions Underwear Dreams Mr Men books Vinyl sleeves Headphones Cigar tins Sweat shirts Empty tobacco packets Chewing gum Gold Bank statements Passport stamps Baby clothes Wigs Primark clothes Crystals Crazy rocks Mood stones Christmas cards Diary Twitter posts Crazy bones Alien eggs Festival wristbands Thread Pins Socks Childish watches Meat Men Women Pirate dvds Spots Perfume bottles Lipsticks Skateboards Canned food 90’s movie posters African masks Puzzles Lefted hand scissors Food from foreign countries Big words Dandruff Credit cards Scars Air Calling minutes Candles Costumes Spray paint Blank canvases Expensive pens
Cardboard boxes First edition books Beers cans/bottles Rocks CDs/records Books Teddy bears Microphones Japanese dolls Bird paintings Gig posters Hotwheels Stickers Movies Kettles Brown things Old tv guides Posters Comic books
PUBLICATION:
THOUGHT
Racoons Pillow cases Cookie cutters Coins Anything with a lobster on Baby name books Christmas ornaments Rolling pins Smurfs Anything with clowns on Firearms Anything with pigs on Crystal pieces Travel brochures Cook books Hand made baskets Old maps
Classical indian instruments Woks Fabric scraps Old letters Currency Souvenirs Antiques Biographies Travel books/guides Limited edition books Printed type Sound recordings Graffiti Old cars Casino chips Bookmarks Street signs Vintage tins Anime Stationary Sainsbury’s Nectar pts Medals Stuffed animals, esp Gargoyles Calligraphy inks, pens, stencils Antique scissors Wax seal stamps Images of stars Keychains Storyboards from films Scripts Guitar picks Sticks & branches Dices Jewellery Holidays / days off
Shirts Sweaters Rings Haagen Daz cups Free tomato ketchup Birthday cards Wrapping paper Nail varnish Toy cars Toy buses/coaches Retro jackets Coloured eyeliners Novelty books Record players Band t-shirts Crazy ties Bottle caps Ipod covers Belt buckles
Collecting anything & everything. A complete list of things people collect, from the obvious to the most obscure.
Pebbles Shells Shoe laces Insect wings Crochet Fruit machines Screen grabs Youtube videos Nails Tools Glass paints Lamp shades Hair clips Bus tickets Cup noodle lids Fountain pens Blue tac USB pen drives Plastic bottles
“Collecting Things” Issue 01 / 1st January 2011 www.thoughtpublication.co.uk
Enemies Leather jackets Plastic fruit Fake flowers Gnomes Nodding dogs Flyers Match boxes Charms Awards Origami cranes Clubcard points Football shirts Lomo camera Teapots Starbucks mugs Gamer xp Swatches Carpet
The Victoria and Albert Museum (often abbreviated as the V&A), in London, England, is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. Named after Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, it was founded in 1852, and has since grown to now cover some 12.5 acres (0.05 km2)[2] and 145 galleries. Its collection spans 5000 years of art, from ancient times to the present day, in virtually every medium, from the cultures of Europe, North America, Asia and North Africa. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The holdings of ceramics, glass, textiles, costumes, silver, ironwork, jewellery, furniture, medieval objects, sculpture, prints and printmaking, drawings and photographs are among the largest and most comprehensive in the world. The museum possesses the world’s largest collection of post-classical sculpture, the holdings of Italian Renaissance items are the largest outside Italy. The departments of Asia include art from South Asia, China, Japan, Korea and the Islamic world. The East Asian collections are among the best in Europe, with particular strengths in ceramics and metalwork, while the Islamic collection, alongside the Musée du Louvre and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is amongst the largest in the world. Alongside other neighbouring institutions, including the Natural History Museum and Science Museum, the V&A is located in what is termed London’s “Albertopolis”, an area of immense cultural, scientific and educational importance. Since 2001, the Museum has embarked on a major £150m renovation program[3] which has seen a major overhaul of the departments including the introduction of newer galleries, gardens, shops and visitor facilities. Following in similar vein to other national UK museums, entrance to the museum has been free since 2001. In 2004, the V&A alongside Royal Institute of British Architects opened the first permanent gallery in the UK[75] covering the history of architecture with displays using models, photographs, elements from buildings and original drawings. With the opening of the new gallery, the RIBA Drawings and Archives Collection has been transferred to the museum, joining the already extensive collection held by the V&A. With over 600,000 drawings, over 750,000 papers and paraphernalia, and over 700,000 photographs from around the world, together they form the world’s most comprehensive architectural resource.
Not only are all the major British architects of the last four hundred years represented, but many European (especially Italian) and American architects’ drawings are held in the collection. The RIBA’s holdings of over 330 drawings by Andrea Palladio are the largest in the world,[76] other Europeans well represented are Jacques Gentilhatre[77] and Antonio Visentini. [78] British architects whose drawings, and in some cases models of their buildings, in the collection, include: Inigo Jones[79] Sir Christopher Wren, Sir John Vanbrugh, Nicholas Hawksmoor, William Kent, James Gibbs, Robert Adam,[80] Sir William Chambers,[81] James Wyatt, Henry Holland, John Nash, Sir John Soane,[82] Sir Charles Barry, Charles Robert Cockerell, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin,[83] Sir George Gilbert Scott, John Loughborough Pearson, George Edmund Street, Richard Norman Shaw, Alfred Waterhouse, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Charles Rennie MacKintosh, Charles Holden, Frank Hoar, Lord Richard Rogers, Lord Norman Foster, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw and Zaha Hadid. As well as period rooms, the collection includes parts of buildings, for example the two top stories of the facade of Sir Paul Pindar’s house[84][85] dated c1600 from Bishopsgate with elaborately carved wood work and leaded windows, a rare survivor of the Great Fire of London, there is a brick portal from a London house of the English Restoration period and a fireplace from the gallery of Northumberland house. European examples include a dormer window dated 1523–35 from the chateau of Montal. There are several examples from Italian Renaissance buildings including, portals, fireplaces, balconies and a stone buffet that used to have a built in fountain. The main architecture gallery has a series of pillars from various buildings and different periods, for example a column from the Alhambra. Examples covering Asia are in those galleries concerned with those countries, as well as models and photographs in the main architecture gallery.
Case Study 04: A Collector of Debt
Name: Laura Stubbs Age: 21 Occupation: Student and part time barmaid Home town: Brighton Current City: Leeds
What do you collect? Unfortunately, debt What’s your reason for this collection? I cant control my spending, To me overdraft feels like real money. What do you like/enjoy about your collection of dept? It means I get to buy generally what I want without any real immediate worry. What got you started? Moving away from home and being able to start my first overdraft. The excitement of being able to buy what i like without question. When did your collection start? As soon as I moved away from home, when I started Uni.
What do you do and where do you go to build up your collection? Generally I find simply being out and about in town where i am near shops helps towards building my collection. I paticuarly find urban outfitters, all saints and topshop help with building my collection. What do you do with your collection? I forget about it, bury it and will deal with it later. What have you got planned with your collection in the next few years? I am hoping that my collection will slowly diminish or stay hidden away.
What else would you like to collect? I wish I could collect savings, but this is impossible with my current collection of dept! What’s preventing you from collecting this? Inability to save, money is like a burning hole in my pocket it seriously needs to go. What advice do you have for people who are thinking about collecting? Don’t start or don’t get out of control.
Case Study 05: A Collector of Stamps
Name: Isabel Charlotte Skinner Age: 21 Occupation: Full time Fine Art Student Home town: Nowhere Current City: Leeds
What do you collect? Stamps How big is your collection? At present 2 books, one full and one half full, the latter having loose stamps still to be placed inside.
in the markets and arcades, which cater for more specific needs and trade in older and rarer stamps and accessories. I’m currently coming to the end of organising what I already have and so the next step will be hunting out further stamps. Really it is about building the collection up gradually over time. There isn’t much to the process; I really do it more for the final aesthetic.
What’s preventing you from collecting this? Money and time but also most of all space. When I have my own home then I will collect a much as I can.
What advice do you have for people who are thinking about collecting? What’s your reason for this I think collecting should be a collection? sort of Love affair, you should be These were my mother’s stamp obsessed with the item you love, collecting books from her childhood going to great lengths to find pieces, during the 1970’s, and through the What do you do with your collection? always have your eyes and ears personal history and sentiment I I organise, label and display what I open hoping to see something, and wanted to carry on building the have. cherish what you find. But also be collection. as innovative as possible, make What have you got planned with your it fun, so that you never fall out of What do you like/enjoy about collection in the next few years? love with what you own and so your collection? The more free time I acquire the that the people that you pass your I’ve always had a keen interest in more I would like to involve myself collections onto can enjoy them as antiquities and vintage items, as with my collection, but really once much as you, and even carry them well as Geography, in which the I have completed this book I would on. collection embodies all of these like to build up my own collection. I’d things, but in particular I love the prefer to work with older stamps and aesthetic, the array of designs, perhaps within a theme of my own, concepts and colours, and how they which would concentrate more upon vary throughout different cultures the design rather than only origin. and through time. What else would you like to collect? What got you started? So many things. As a hoarder I love I found my mother’s old collection, to build up anything but in planning which was unfinished and it seemed my future home I aim to for a mix of a shame not to complete something modern design alongside an array of that had already been started. antique furnishings. When did your collection start? I started building up the second book as a child, and have recently rekindled my interest.
But in particular my interest lies in; Antique Pictures, Mirrors, Gilt Frames, lamps and clocks. Antique Crockery and cutlery, specifically odd parts of decorative What do you do and where do you tea sets, dinner sets and tea-spoons go to build up your collection? Antique books and magazines – On the high street basic stamps I already have a fair few but I’d like and adhesives are available but to have more for my art work. Leeds hosts many collecting shops, Antique Jewellery, taxidermy, films, records and more Cameras.
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Case Study 06: A Collector of BearBricks
Name: Alan Li Age: 21 Occupation: Industrial Designer Home town: Coventry Current City: Hong Kong
What do you collect? BearBricks How big is your collection? Around 50-60 indidual pieces. What’s your reason for BearBricks? Just a personal Interest. What is it that you like about collecting BearBricks? The different collaborations between designers and popular culture. Also the limited edition pieces and the blind boxes are always exciting to open as you dont know what you might get inside, a common one or a rare one. What got you started in the first place? I have been interested in it for quite a while but then managed to get hold of one when I was in Hong Kong and then I got hooked. When did your collection start? I’d say probably around 2005. What do you do and where do you go to build up your collection? Most often I go to Hong Kong to buy my BearBricks. But now and again if i get the urge I would take a look at forbidden planet in the uk to see what stuff they got.
What do you do with your collection of Vinyl toys? I have a shelving system for my 100% bearbricks which are about 2 inch's then I have a 400% bearbrick which is slightly bigger where i just place where ever and I’ve got a 1000% which is about half the size of me which i just place on the floor. What have you got planned with your collection in the next few years? I would probably get a new shelve made to accomodate the newer ones as it is starting to become quite crowded. What else would you like to collect? I’d probably still continued with my bearbrick collection because I tend to collect only one thing as I like the look of just one overall style, but I think tokidoki cactus pups are quite interesting to collect. aside from vinyle toys, I would like to collect from artists such as Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara, Roy Litchenstein if money wasnt an issue. What’s preventing you from collecting this? I guess I’ve never really had the urge to go out and source them.
What advice do you have for people who are thinking about collecting something? Start with something that you’re really interested in and not because everybody else is doing it at the time because in the end its just going to be a waste of time and money.
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FEATURES:
FIRST ISSUE! History, background, concept ideas and what we’re about all covered in one spread.
Theory A critical essay around the subject, ideas and morals of collecting.
Case Study 01 FEATURE:// Interview with the worlds larg- V&A Museum est collector of dust Possibly the world’s biggest collectors of everything?
Creative Blog Who doesn’t blog?FormFiftyFive
Theory A critical essay around the subject, ideas and morals of collecting.
Case Study 01 FEATURE:// Interview with the worlds larg- V&A Museum est collector of dust Possibly the world’s biggest collectors?
Creative Blog Who doesn’t blog?FormFiftyFive
Theory A critical essay around the subject, ideas and morals of collecting.
Case Study 01 FEATURE:// Interview with the worlds larg- V&A Museum est collector of dust Possibly the world’s biggest collectors?
Creative Blog Who doesn’t blog?FormFiftyFive
Theory A critical essay around the subject, ideas and morals of collecting.
Case Study 01 Interview with the worlds largest collector of dust
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