Collection vs. Collecting
There are many versions
and definitions of a collection. At a landfill, there is a collection of trash.
Go to a mall parking lot, and there is a collection of cars. These uses of the
word collection, while correct from one point of view, are not quite
satisfactory to me.
I have a somewhat warmer
outlook of the word “collection”. The word “collection” means to me having two
or more of an item in the same class of product. If I have two or more watches,
I have a collection. If I have two or more 1st edition, 1st
printing books, I have a collection. If I have two or more stuffed animals
(e.g. Teddy Bears, stuffed rabbits, stuffed dogs), I have a collection.
Many have two or more
watches or cars. Many (most?) would not describe themselves as a collector of
either. To them watches and cars serve a utility, much like electricity or
water. The word “collecting” describes how you react to that collection.
A collection becomes
something different from have two or more of one particular class of object
when that class of object becomes important to that person. It speaks to that
person, “You found me. Adopt me and take me home with you.” It may not make
sense to Adam Smith’s rational economic man, but then we are NOT always
perfectly rational.
Many
collectors of stuffed animals and Teddy Bears have narrowed their interest to
their collecting. Some limit their collection to stuffed animals with growlers
and squeakers. Others to Licensed articles (e.g. Disneyana, Coca-Cola, M.I. Hummel,
Märklin, Allianz and Paddington Bear). Yet others gravitate to miniature bears
(ten centimeters or less) because of space limitations within their domicile.
For
those who have progressed or advanced in their collecting adventures, they may
be conflicted in whether they really want an addition to their collection (any
type of collector/collection is subject to this one). The rule of thumb that
applies here goes something like this: If you find that you are thinking about
a particular piece for more than twenty-four to forty-eight hours, you have
found a piece that is a “got-to-have”.
The
primary objective is to have fun collecting items to your collection. Enjoy the
event of collecting each piece and the process of collecting over time.
Harald
Mallwitz
General
Manager
Coppell
Collectibles, L.L.C.
Consultants to the Teddy bear world
Teddy bear does not come to life until he is loved, but once
loved he will live forever
