Collectors & Collecting

Resources on being a collector or creating and maintaining collections.

Resources in this category:

Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal
http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/48439

So, you've inherited a wonderful whats-it from your great aunt Verbena. Or perhaps you bought a terrific thing-a-ma-jig at a garage sale. But what is it, and more importantly, what is it worth? Read on, and find the way to begin your research in the following IPL pathfinder.

The Autograph Collector
http://www.theautographcollector.net/

This is an interesting resource from a recognized collector of autograph collecting and authentication. For any fans of autograph collecting, this website provides images of the Autograph Collectors collections, as well as tips and suggestions on how to get into the hobby. Current images on the webpage include autographs of famous politicians, sports figures, authors, and movie stars.

A Collection of Collections
http://brightbytes.com/collection/collect.html

Peek in the minds of two compulsive collectors, husband and wife, Jack and Beverly. This website displays and describes some of the many collections they have created. They include: photographs & photographica, toaster collectibles, phrenology (study of human personality from the shape of the head), mysteries, strongmen & strongwomen, and computer collectibles.

Collector Online's Club Directory
http://www.collectoronline.com/clubs.html

"This directory lists over 500 clubs related to antiques and collectibles" including a contact person, their address, and telephone number information. The clubs are listed alphabetically, with some of them linked to their home pages as well. The majority of the content is not linked, but provide the most current, up-to-date contact info for small organizations that may be otherwise hard to find.

Collectors.org
http://www.collectors.org/

Collectors.Org was created in 1995 specifically for collectors, collecting clubs and dealers. It is the official website for both the National Association of Collectors (NAC) and the Association of Collecting Clubs (ACC). Highlights of the site include an Antique and Collectibles Show Calendar that features thousands of events worldwide, the Flea Market Directory, and the Events Schedule which features workshops, seminars, conventions, exhibitions, lectures, auctions and tours. The Club Directory, consisting of over 2,500 clubs, is one of the largest on the Internet.

Curioscape
http://www.curioscape.com/

An annotated guide to Internet sites relating to antiques and collectables. Searchable and browsable. Very well done.

Smithsonian Kids Collecting
http://kids.si.edu/collecting/

Learn why people collect things and how you can start, organize, and take care of a collection of your own. Find out about the rocks & minerals, stamps, and coins collections found at the Smithsonian Institution. You can even meet interesting people and see what types of things they collect in short video clips.

Why do people collect things?
http://www.campaignformuseums.org.uk/miclass/html/mi_class/w...

This site, although primarily geared towards educators in the United Kingdom, has some valuable suggestions for anyone teaching children the appreciation of collecting or studying collections. Recommended projects and points for discussion that encompass history, science, math, art/design, culture, and geography are included.