There two are kinds of collectors, at least that's what an article I ran across on the Internet told me a while back. They are divided into true “collectors” and what some people term “accumulators.”

In this sense, the term collector has a rather snobbish air that bothers me a little. Perhaps it's because some folks think that to be a bona fide collector you have to seek and find only the finest examples that complement one another to make up a collection.

I suppose this is true for that elite group paying thousands of dollars for fine art or other types of haughty antiques like American period furniture, for example. After all, it pays to be discriminating in cases like that.

My definition of an accumulator, which aligns closely with that article I mentioned earlier, tends to buy everything in sight when it comes to a chosen collecting field.

Whether it comes to toys, porcelain or any number of other categories, they've got stuff stuck in every nook, cranny and bucket. And, they're probably planning to hit the garage sales next weekend to make sure they don't miss something good.

Is there anything wrong with that? I don't think so. They're having fun, and as long as they're not spending the baby's formula money to buy more junk, it's a just harmless hobby. Well, as long as you're not allergic to dust.

Truthfully though, I think most of us probably fall somewhere in between these extremely defined terms putting true collectors and mere accumulators at polar opposites. Take me for example.

When it comes to vintage costume jewelry, I accumulate. It's a hard phenomenon to explain, except that the more jewelry I own, the better I feel about life in general. In other words, the glitter of rhinestones makes me extremely happy.

Of course, when it comes to other collectibles, like cookie jars, fruit crate labels or my Texas Centennial pieces, I tend to be more selective. I generally buy these things to display in my home, so I want them to coordinate nicely together. I also try to find things that are affordable, if I can.

But what about my perfectly matched set of depression era glass it took years to locate and purchase? As far as I'm concerned, that's as much of a real collection as a grouping of Picasso paintings.

I know lots of people who, like me, collect and accumulate at the same time. For a bunch of commoners, some of them have put together some very interesting and valuable collections.

In fact, I've come to the conclusion that a great collection shows the complete gamut of what's available in a field. It includes inexpensive common items and contrasts with things of a little more rare and valuable nature, but most pieces will fall somewhere in between.

I think true collectors also delight in the thrill of the chase. We're probably just as happy to find a real treasure at a bargain price as one of those furniture buffs were thrilled at the chance to bid on a one-of-a-kind highboy at Sotheby's auction house.

So, the way I see it, whether you're one of those fortunate snobs, someone like me or a tried and true accumulator, we're all in this together. And boy, it sure is fun!

Photo by Pamela Wiggins

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