The fine art of maintaining collectibles

ALBANY — Collection is defined as an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, exhibition or as a hobby. Further research states that a collection exists when 5 to 15 items sharing similar form or function are combined. When an individual begins to accumulate items toward this goal, they become a collector.

Psychologists acknowledge the act of collecting can satisfy several primal urges driven by a sense of anticipation, purpose and enjoyment. This often begins with a passion for a specific subject. Or it can provide a cultural or historical connection. The thrill of the hunt associated with searching for a specific item can be satisfying and at the same time brings people with like interests together.

Sporting collectibles can be broadly generic or broken down into a variety of more finite categories, including firearms, fishing lures and tackle, knives, art, books, decoys, game calls, optics, advertising items and camping gear.

For some collectors, the more pristine an item, the more value it has, with factory packaging and insert materials adding to its perceived monetary value. Others focus their efforts on collecting high-end vintage items due to rarity or the craftsmanship of a bygone era. The idea of actually using these items for their intended purposes would border on sacrilege.

And there are collectors who collect vintage items with the intended goal of using them to enhance their outdoor activities. For these collectors, the use of a vintage bamboo flyrod or side-by-side shotgun adds another level of challenge and enjoyment to their pursuits afield.

One of the aforementioned slippery slopes for the collector is the “true” value of an object. The value of collectibles, regardless of category, rises and falls over time. Many cautionary tales exist regarding “collectibles,” from the Tulip Wars to Beanie Babies.

My personal collecting has been guided by my Uncle Bobby, who was a dealer in antique firearms and collectibles. He once told me, “That Parker shotgun is mighty pretty and very expensive, but it won’t kill a quail any better than a single-shot Sears & Roebuck shotgun. Its only additional value is what someone else is willing to pay when you try to sell it.”

A few decades ago, most serious collectors had a secondary collection of research books focused on their area of interest. Today, a broad spectrum of general and specialized information is available online.

As your collection grows, storage will become an issue for several reasons, including security, safety and stability. Obviously, a safe or safes should be considered for firearms to ensure all three of these concerns are addressed. I also strongly advise against storing firearms in cloth or foam cases for long periods of time. In SOWEGA, that’s a sure recipe for rust and moisture damage. The same precautions should be taken with knives and other metal items of value.

Another concern is ensuring that those who may have no interest in the collection but will benefit financially upon the collector’s death have some idea of its value. Jokes have true-life parallels, and in the world of firearms collecting, that would be one that highlights a recently widowed wife selling her husband’s guns for what he told her he paid for them. One solution to this likelihood is to keep a journal with an itemized list of your collection, along with the actual price paid as well as a perceived future market value.

Today, serious consideration must be taken in regard to displaying a collection. Prior to the popularity of “man-caves,” there were reading rooms or gun rooms. These rooms might include the firearms or other items of a collection, along with associated research materials and paraphernalia.

Another sign of changing times is the likelihood that just about the time you are reaching your goal as a collector, you hear others whispering the “H” word. Unbeknownst to you, you have gone from being regarded as a collector to now being considered a hoarder. You may unknowingly cast fear into the hearts of your heirs as you point with pride to your collection while proclaiming, “One day this will all be yours.”

Staff Photo: Tom Seegmueller