Great collections are impressive, but have you ever wondered how long it takes to start one? And what about the efforts? In fact, it's pretty easy!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Starting Your Collection
Step 1. Consider why you want to start a collection
People do it for fun or because the collected item might have value. You can devote yourself to a narrow or wide field, that is up to you. There are three basic categories to choose from:
- Free. This category often includes items of sentimental value, such as postcards, or cute items to collect, such as bottle tops.
- Economic. This category could include stickers, for example sports cards.
- Expensive. This third category is for experienced collectors who are fond of items such as paintings or antiques.
Step 2. Decide on the budget
Whether you collect coins, dolls or fossils, becoming a serious collector can be expensive.
- A single coin can be sold for a few euros, or thousands of euros.
- A doll can be found at a flea market or antique store for a very low price, or it could be L'Oiseleur, whose price tag is worth $ 6.25 million.
Step 3. Choose your collection
The possibilities are endless.
- Collect stamps.
- Collecting old coins. This type of collection could involve early American pennies, foreign coins, Roman coins, but these are just a few ideas.
- Collecting books, whether they are modern volumes of poetry or limited first editions.
- Collecting fossils.
Step 4. Research your article
Find out where it is best to find it and how to take care of it.
- When it comes to coins, books like The Everything Coin Collecting Book are a good place to start.
- Most of the collections have websites where collectors, enthusiasts and sellers show or offer their products.
- Go to the library! Librarians can help you research your collection and find resources.
- Items like dolls, coins, or figurines can be found in hobby shops, flea markets, private sales, antique stores, and sometimes even in your attic.
- Regarding the care to be reserved for your collection, be sure to do it properly. This is especially important if you are creating one with the idea of increasing its value.
Step 5. Understand the legality of your collection
Depending on its content, you should know that many countries have restrictions on the purchase of certain items.
- A UNESCO resolution imposes restrictions on the transfer of antiques, including coins.
- The United States and other countries have certain restrictions on firearms.
Step 6. Have fun doing it
For example, don't collect soccer cards if you find the sport boring. Take care of your interests.
Method 2 of 3: Take Care of Your Collection
Step 1. Get it evaluated by an expert
This step is critical for people who are looking to sell something that has, or will have, value.
- Start by looking for someone in your neighborhood: a vendor you are familiar with, a flea market, an antique dealer.
- Associations like the American Society of Appraisers and the International Society of Appraisers can put you in touch with the right person. Be prepared to pay for the service, although some auction houses may offer a free estimate.
- Don't trust eBay. It is not easy to verify someone's credentials.
Step 2. Display your collection
After the time and energy you have put into its creation, there are ways to show it to everyone, for them to see and admire. The different collections have different needs when it comes to display.
- Occasionally, museums and libraries showcase the works or collections of students or community members. Talk to these organizations to find out if they would be interested.
- Most collections should be used away from sunlight, which can cause objects to fade.
- An art exhibit should be well lit, but away from direct light, especially natural light.
- Coins are typically stored in albums and binders, in special tubes and inside capsules, which are better for unique items, particularly if they are valuable. Albums and binders make exposure easier.
- For larger items, such as dolls or fossils, use a cabinet with a glass front. Storing them without protecting them could damage them.
Step 3. Preserve your collection
Again, this is especially important if you are collecting with the hope that your pieces will one day be worth something. The better preserved the collection, the more value it will have. Knowledge is the most important component. Gain experience on how to take care of your items.
- Placing a doll in a plastic container can cause it to become moldy if moisture seeps out.
- If you collect dolls, you should make sure they have the original clothes, especially if they are antique.
- Cleaning the coins could make them less valuable. Proceed with caution and only touch their ends with your thumb and forefinger when you take them.
- The paintings, in particular, are damaged by light, humidity and high temperatures. Lighting must be especially taken care of and it is advisable to use one that is a mix of specific halogen and incandescent bulbs, avoiding direct light. Temperatures should be kept low and humidity levels should be as constant as possible.
- Do not store old books in the basement or attic. Leather-bound volumes can be destroyed by heat, humidity and gaseous pollutants. The best way to protect them is to use an archive.
- Collected items should be kept out of the reach of children, animals and water or food damage.
Method 3 of 3: Identify Specific Collecting Opportunities
Step 1. Collect coins or become a numismatist, scholar and coin collector
This type of collecting represents one of the oldest hobbies. It is believed that its origins can be traced back to the Augustan period, during the Roman Empire. Numismatics was a hobby of kings and also an integral part of scholarly studies. There are many different types of coin collections.
- Ancient coins. This category includes Roman, Byzantine and Greek coins, which can then be divided into different eras in turn. You could join associations like the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild for more connections and to learn more. Many coins can be recognized thanks to the Roman emperor on the front.
- First American coins. You could focus on a specific area, like the smallest penny, and just collect these coins, or you could do like Louis E. Eliasberg and try to create a complete collection of all American coins ever minted. Some examples of early American coins include the 1793-1857 Half Cent, the 1793-1857 Large Cent, and the 1856-Today Small Cent, which we would currently recognize as pennies.
- Be aware of issues like counterfeiting and counterfeiting coins. Modern technologies have made it particularly easy to mint the oldest coins. For early American coins, be sure to buy the ones with PCGS or NGC certificate. Get them to estimate. Always check the reputation of the seller. Try buying from someone you trust.
Step 2. Collect dolls
As with coins, there is a wide variety of dolls. You will need to specify the focus of your collection.
- Join the United Federation of Doll Clubs, which have events, educational opportunities, workshops, vendors, and news about different dolls.
- Subscribe to a magazine dedicated to doll collecting, such as Antique Doll Collector Magazine.
- Some dolls different from the usual ones are the Chinese ones, the miniature ones, the rag ones, the modern ones, etc.
- Learn the terms for the various types and looks of the dolls. Auction sites may use A / O, which means "all original".
- Each type of doll needs some care and certain expenses. For example, he might be wearing a wig or having hair rooted in his head. The hair can be made of synthetic, mohair or human materials. Each type requires a different cleaning.
Step 3. Collect fossils
You don't necessarily have to be a paleontologist to do this.
- Types of fossils. Fossils fall into two categories: fossilized body parts and fossilized traces. Fossils can then be divided into four types: mold (an impression of an animal or plant), mold (when the fossil mold is full), trace (nest, burrow, footprint) and true form (a part or the totality of the true living being).
- The best places to find a fossil. Look for sedimentary rocks, in rivers, lakes and on the sea floor. Common sedimentary rocks are sandstone, limestone and shale. In the western United States, from Texas to Montana, dinosaur fossils are often found. In Britain, beaches and quarries are the best places to look. Pay close attention to the rock faces, under the rocks, on the line left by the tide. Also, don't overlook the river banks. In China, more specifically in the Liaoning province, paleontologists have unearthed a wide variety of fossils!
- Remember not to trespass someone's home or to remove rocks or fossils from areas where it is prohibited. Also, don't steal from excavation sites.
Step 4. Start Collecting Now
Now that you have the basics of choosing, researching and caring for a collection, start dedicating yourself to it.
Advice
- Make sure you have room for your collection, or collect something small.
- If you are going to create a collection that you can earn from its value, you need to take care of it.
