Collectors

I’m always interested in the things people choose to collect. I found a couple of new items this week, things that would never have occurred to me.

I went for another remedial tap lesson to my patient instructor Roberta’s home. As I was Buffalo-ing across her family room floor, I happened to notice all the many different cufflinks under the glass of the coffee table. It turns out her husband Bob, an ex-Marine, has collected over 300 pairs, each one entirely unique. I wonder if he raids his coffee table if they are invited to a black-tie affair.

Just today we were invited to brunch at the home of a couple who lived all over the world with the Foreign Service. In addition to a house full of extremely interesting things, they collect limited edition books. I had never seen anything like these books. They are type-set in the old-fashioned way. Color is often applied to illustrations with a brush. These books are works of art, usually signed with an edition number. We looked at an exquisite copy of Candide. I can’t imagine the worth of over 100 such books. But if this is any indication, I hope they are well insured.

I’m sitting here wondering if I have a collection of any kind. I have a lot of books, but nothing of any particular value. I seriously doubt there is a set of cufflinks anywhere in our house. I once tried to buy all the Beatles albums, but gave up when I realized how many there were.

There is something sort of nice about having a collection. People would always know something they could buy for you as a gift. You could look for these “things” all over the world.

But right now I don’t really have any desire for more than one of anything but children, friends, and dogs!