Collectible Glass
The Joy of Collectible Glass Figurines
Executive Summary about collectible glass by Wendy Pan
Everybody collects something. Collectible glass figurines are big slice of the market in collectible items. Everybody collects something, whether it be those collectible glass figurines, football game programs, souvenirs of trips, pictures of one’s children, or model airplanes. What do you collect and why? It would be a lot less costly to hoard the collectible glass figurines catalogue than the dolphins or clowns themselves.
Talking of unusual psychological needs, what about the need to label the people who collect things? An archtophilist collects teddy bears, a deltiologist collects postcards, a numismatist collects coins, a vecturist collects subway tokens and a clock collector is a horologist. Freud of course had a theory to explain why we collect things. He postulated that collecting links back to the time of toilet training. Personally I prefer to think about the lighter side of collecting
Some people collect for investment, and collectible glass figurines probably fall into this category. Some collect for pure enjoyment – its fun. Some collect to expand their social lives, attending swap meets and exchanging information with like-minded souls. For some, the satisfaction comes from experimenting with arranging, re-arranging, and classifying parts of a-big-world-out-there through collectible glass figurines. Whatever your motivation for holding those gorgeous collectible glass figurines, one thing is for sure.
Collectible Bottles – Collecting Theory
Executive Summary about collectible glass by Tom Landy
Why collect bottles? Collecting anything is a truly personal and subjective endeavor. The Sport of Bottle Collecting
The “sport” of bottle collecting does have a number of advantages when compared to other forms of collecting.
1) It is relatively inexpensive to become activity involved. While it’s true that there are bottles that are worth thousands of dollars most bottles, even those of relative rarity, can be purchased for $200 or less.
2) You can approach bottle collecting from a number of different perspectives some that may enhance and support other aspects of your life. You can collect bottles based upon their historical significance, their color, their use, their shape, method of manufacture, their historic significance and many, many other aspects.
3) The bottle you collect can be quite appealing and beautiful to view. They display well so others can enjoy your hobby along with you.
While unlikely to fund your retirement, bottle collecting can be a profitable endeavor.
Approaches to Bottle Collecting
Typically an individual gets involved in the collectible bottle market purely by chance. He/ she comes across a box of old, antique bottles in a garage or inherit a collection of Jim Beam collector bottles from a relative or come across a bottle that piques their curiosity. Whatever the starting point is it’s important that you approach the collecting process in a structured and organized way. Why? At the end of the day, getting organized upfront will save you time and money. There are two basic approaches to consider; a general collector and a specialized collector. A general collector approaches the collectible bottle effort in a broad, highly subjective manner. They collect bottles that simply appeal to him or her. A generalists doesn’t waste time during his searching activities, important to someone who doesn’t have much time to spend on his collecting activities. Each item in his collection has its own unique story and not a shared history of cobalt blue bottles or civil war era flasks. A bit more about the specialist.
1) Collecting bottles based upon to which it was put is one approach common among specialists collectors. There are roughly 34 different categories and subcategories of bottles based on usage. An individual can collect ink bottles, medicine bottles, tonic bottles, barber bottles, gin bottles,perfume bottles, etc. The age range of bottles make over the last three hundred years can often be established and collecting colonial, pre-civil war, post civil war, pre or post mass production are approaches used by many collectors.
2) Glass color is another approach. Concentrating on other single colors or multi-color glass is also a popular approach with collectors.
3) For the history buff, bottles tied to historic events like the revolution, elections, etc holds appeal to many.
4) Advertising and marketing people would find a collection of bottles used as a advertising medium of interest.
5) For the artist/decorator in addition to color, the size, shape and decoration of the bottle would hold appeal.
6) Collecting bottles by region, regardless of bottle type is another popular approach,
The combinations and permutations are endless. If you think you’ll be alone in an esoteric subcategory of cobalt blue, medicine bottles produced before the civil war don’t be alarmed. Regardless whether you decided to be a generalist or a specialist, you’ll need to develop a rationale to use as a framework for your bottle collecting activities.
Getting Organized
A budget of the amount of time you are willing and able to spend on your collecting activities and a budget of the amount of money you have available to spend. My rule of thumb is if you aren’t will to spend 8 hours a month on studying and collecting bottles, don’t bother. The next step is establishing how much money you can afford to spend. Again if money in your household budget is tight don’t start. If you begin to spend money you can’t afford, what began as a harmless hobby can quickly become a source of friction. If you decide to specialize, chose your collecting category carefully. If money is short don’t decide to collect ancient Roman bottles. Get a collectible bottle price guide and look at the price ranges of categories you find interesting. Set a dollar limit on your bottle searching excursions to the flea market. Are you going to display your collection? How are you going to display your collection? There is a general rule in collecting that ” it’s easier to sell one five hundred dollar bottle and fifty ten dollar bottles”. The principal being that it’s better to collect expensive bottles than cheap ones. So buy lower priced items, get familiar with the intricacies of the category. Examine, touch and feel the higher priced items. As questions of dealers. Your expertise will grow only with time and hands on experience.
Record Keeping
The final issue to consider when collecting is record keeping. It’s extremely important to compile a complete record of all your bottle collecting transactions and activities. It’s important for your learning process and to help value your collection for your own edification and insurance purposes.
The typical item record should contain the following information:
- Detailed description of the item: size weight, color, labels, manufacture, manufacturing method.
- Photo of the item
- Where , when and from whom you purchased the bottle
- How much you paid for the bottle.
- Value of the item from reputable price guide
- Ownership history
- Location ie on display, in storage
You would hate to lose you collection and you records at the same time. Be sure to include the value of your collection in your household insurance policy.
There you have the basic tenets of bottle collecting. By taking a bit of time up front to study you chosen category, budgeting you time and money and keep good records you will be well on your way to developing a endeavor that will provide you with hours of pleasure and fun. You can point to you collection with pride and a sense of accomplishment.
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Thu, 3rd Sep 2009 10:19 am
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