| We all know the feeling - it's something you've | | | | afford. A chipped or damaged piece will do as a |
| just gotta have! Researchers have shown that it | | | | way to fill in a gap in your collection, but always |
| is inbuilt into human genes to want to collect | | | | aim for the best. |
| something, whether its stamps, film memorabilia, | | | | 3 Think outside the box and don't go for |
| snow globes (very popular in the USA) or bus | | | | something everybody collects e.g. stamps or |
| tickets! I have a great mental picture of a | | | | coins, unless of course you want to! For example, |
| caveman coming home with yet another piece of | | | | if you like books you don't have to stick with 1st |
| carved flint, and the female saying 'What do you | | | | editions but find something different, e.g. I collect |
| want another bit of old stone for?!' After all, she's | | | | Shire books - they are interesting too and don't |
| probably the one who's going to have to clean it.... | | | | break the bank to buy. I have fun searching them |
| But, joking aside, the reasons to collect are as | | | | out at car boots and in charity shops and they |
| many and varied as the items collected. Some | | | | don't take up too much room either, which is also |
| people are in it for the money, some because | | | | an important consideration! |
| they want to build up a collection of the choicest | | | | 4 What do you like? How about something |
| or rarest items available in the market. | | | | connected with your job? A pharmacist friend |
| Some people want to get together with | | | | collects old pharmacy jars and bottles. An Avon |
| like-minded fellow collectors and swap information | | | | rep I know collects early Avon bottles and |
| and surplus items, whilst others build up their | | | | packaging. |
| collections in private. Some want to leave it to the | | | | 5 Learn all you can from books, magazines, |
| Nation, and some people know that it might not | | | | internet, clubs & societies. If you are an |
| be worth much, but hey, it's mine! Some people | | | | expert, you can pick up bargains because of what |
| like to collect fine china, or Lladro figurines, | | | | you know. |
| because they love the workmanship and beauty | | | | 6 Where to find? eBay, auctions, car boot sales, |
| of these objects. H.Samuel has lovely collectibles, | | | | charity shops.. |
| ranging from Swarovski glass to Lilliput Lane | | | | 7 Set your price and stick to it. It is all too easy |
| cottages, at reasonable prices. Many people collect | | | | to get carried away, especially when bidding at |
| things which have a connection to their past, for | | | | auction, whether in the saleroom or online. |
| example, the books or comics one enjoyed as a | | | | 8 Buyer Beware (caveat emptor) keep your wits |
| child can lead to a desire to collect first editions of | | | | about you- if it looks too good to be true it |
| one's favorite authors, or a run of a favorite | | | | probably is.... |
| comic. For me, as I suspect for many, it's the thrill | | | | 9 Don't forget to safeguard your collection. |
| of the chase! The feeling that you get when you | | | | Depending on the value, it is a good idea to add |
| manage to find something you have been looking | | | | your collection to your household insurance policy. |
| for a long time, and get it at a good price, is | | | | Take photographs of figurines or jewelery for |
| something our caveman would have recognized! | | | | example, and catalog your collection to keep a |
| So, what are the 10 Golden Rules for Collecting? | | | | record in case of loss or theft. |
| 1 Do it for the love not for the money! You have | | | | 10 ABOVE ALL HAVE FUN! |
| to live with it remember! | | | | Copyright c. M. |
| 2 Condition is key.Find the best example you can | | | | |