Collect

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Private CD collection

Collecting refers to the systematic search, procurement and storage of things or information. Institutionalized collecting consists of creating a fund in museums , libraries or archives . In the industrialized countries collecting has become an ideal occupation .

A special way of collecting is hoarding .

Alternatively, a human way of obtaining food is also known as gathering , known as part of the term hunter-gatherer .

Alternative names

An overzealous collector is known colloquially in northern Germany as a Zedler , derived from the original job title of Zedlerei or Zeidlerei , the looted collecting of honey .

Collecting as a hobby

Basically everything can be collected, but mainly handy items for reasons of space. There is the systematic collector who wants to own objects from a certain limited area (a region, epoch, genus or topic) or products from a manufacturer as completely as possible, and the rather unsystematic collector who only collects the things that he likes or that remind him of something. Particularly rare items ( rarities ) often arouse particular interest among collectors, while popular collectibles are sometimes artificially shortened during production ( limited editions ). Sigismund von Radecki described collectors as people who collect rare items in the hope that they will become even rarer.

Collector profiles show that the beginning was often a coincidence; through gifts, inheritance, etc. a. the interest in further acquisition was aroused, aesthetic aspects often played a role. The first collection is very often expanded by further collections, but the collector almost always remains loyal to the first collection. As a rule, a collector stays with his collecting activity his entire life.

A large number of collectors ambitiously strive for knowledge about their objects and try to pass on their knowledge and findings through exhibitions and publications (see above = systematic collector). Many collectors organize themselves in associations . Exchange fairs are also organized where collectors can contact each other and exchange or buy collectibles. In popular collecting areas, dealers can earn a living with it, and many objects are also produced especially for collectors in limited editions (with a collector's certificate) out of commercial interest. Some particularly popular manufacturers organize their own collectors' clubs with special offers.

Flea market and collectors

Collecting (as opposed to accumulating) means choosing. Critical selection (collectable; original or imitation) requires knowledge. The specialist knowledge of the collector grows with the size of the collection. This also applies to the correct storage and care of the collectibles, some collectors acquire extensive knowledge in the field of restoration over time and repair damaged objects themselves.

Sources of find for collectors are often auctions , flea markets , antique shops or second-hand bookshops and, increasingly, online offers. The Internet is of particular importance for collectors of very exotic things that can be exchanged so easily and quickly worldwide. Rarity, popularity and degree of preservation determine the price.

Some collectibles are counterfeited because of their high value . (See forgery , art forgery , stamp forgery )

Popular collecting areas

There are innumerable things that are collected. These include, for example, historical stocks and securities, postcards , pins , antiques , wristwatches , stickers , autograph cards , automobiles (especially vintage cars ), car or railway models , banknotes , brewery advertising materials along with beer mats / beer mats, beer cans or bottles , beer mugs , tin toys (e.g. B. Schuco cars), postage stamps , stationery , books , irons , comics , photographs , lighters (e.g. Zippos ), paintings , graphics , handbags , coffee cream lids , cameras (especially Leicas ), ceramics , bottle caps , bookmarks , Militaria , minerals and fossils , model cars , coins and medals , musical instruments , porcelain , radios , collector's pictures , records , butterflies , jewelry , shoes , typewriters , napkins , money boxes , toys, dice , matchboxes , phone cards , clocks , figures made from surprise eggs , weapons , Newspapers and cigarette pictures .

Scientific collecting

Collecting is not always just a leisure activity , but is a basis for scientific knowledge. A scientific collection is usually referred to as a study or research collection , which is usually only accessible to experts or on request. If it is made available to the public, it is a permanent collection .

In many areas, such as butterflies , scientific collecting is now largely regulated by law. Some collecting areas are, such as B. Numismatics recognized as an auxiliary historical sciences . In practically all areas of knowledge, literature collections or libraries and archives are important.

However, the boundaries between hobby and scientific collecting are fluid, some collectors have a great deal of specialist knowledge in their field and publish their findings, sometimes also on a scientific level. Such collectors often make their collection available to researchers for scientific research. In addition, some privately compiled collections later pass through sale or inheritance to scientifically oriented institutions such as museums and archives. Here they can be a welcome enrichment, since the institutions mentioned often have very little financial means available for purchases and private collectors often invest more money and time in building their collections than the institutions mentioned are able to.

On the other hand, such a collection can also become a considerable burden if, for example, a collector wishes to link the handover of his pieces to a museum with the condition that all objects are to be exhibited permanently or very considerable costs would have to be incurred for a restoration that would increase the value of the Exceed collection.

history

In addition to the food (berries, herbs, mushrooms) early humans as were hunter-gatherers the flint to make weapons, and later copper ores, iron and gold which the first treasuries emerged. In addition, people collected conspicuous objects and materials from nature, such as fossilized mussel shells or amber for making jewelry or gagat for making sculptures such as the Venus figurines from Petersfels . Also very early on the clay tablets were collected in archives, later papyri and manuscripts in libraries.

See the main article → Library history

Cabinets of curiosities were created as early as the Middle Ages, and curios and natural objects were added later.

In the 17th century, collecting was a vanitas motif, and the "collection" served as a warning example of vanity and obsession in relevant representations. However, with absolutism , which was associated with a strong upgrading of the organization in all areas of life, the idea arose that a passion for collecting could not only lead to chaos, but also to order. Instead of being seen as indiscriminate greed, which could only present itself as a proof of power or self-accusation, a special understanding of what was collected was now allowed to find public recognition.

In museums that have been in existence since the late 18th century, collecting is given its official framework. Due to the public character, the collections lost their selfish appearance and became something of a charitable nature. In many cases they go back to the private collections of princes and other rulers, who once demonstrated their power with them. For example, Rudolf II and August the Strong were known as avid collectors. For museum collections, the systematic documentation of the circumstances of the find and the context in which things are used is essential. The museum is not only about collecting and documenting, archiving and preserving, but also about educational presentation ( museum education ), knowledge transfer and research. The first zoos were created as menageries . With the onset of industrialization, the first collections of folk art came together, also mostly initiated by privately engaged collectors. On this basis, the local museums and open-air museums that are typical of all regions today were created .

Scholars and scientists are also remembered as collectors: Petrarch, for example, bequeathed his huge book collection to the Republic of Venice on condition that it be made accessible to the public. In the course of the Enlightenment , viewing became more and more important and a large number of pedagogically oriented collections were created for the various areas, so-called cabinets. They were located in monasteries, such as Kremsmünster in Upper Austria , but also at universities. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe caricatured himself and his passion for collecting in the dialogue The Collector and His Own as a ruler who models “the world according to his idea”. So he did not rise above traditional vanitas ideas. In geology, Goethe was primarily concerned with building up a mineral collection that had grown to 17,800 stones when he died, and he is said to have owned an art collection with over 25,000 individual pieces.

From a scientification of the cult of relics , the collection of fossils and archaeological finds developed at the same time , which has since been part of research and serves to document the cultural history of man. Private collectors also make a contribution to this by acquiring the right to excavate (for example during civil engineering work) and documenting, preserving and, if necessary, lending them to museums.

Collective book of the disability insurance around 1920

Collecting shares in insurance companies, which were recorded in scrapbooks, among other things, had great economic benefits, since in case of doubt only these receipts could prove the payments. Furthermore , especially in the last century, collecting stamps in stamp books has had some utility for dealers and customers.

In the meantime, collecting itself has become an object of scientific occupation, whether in psychology or in cultural studies , especially in museology .

Psychological aspects

Critical Aspects

Hunt and gather
Basic human instincts that are essential for survival from the time of hunters and gatherers are often critical and lead to “hunting” for missing items in the collection and to collecting as an expression of possession .
Dominance drive
The desire to own collectibles can express a show of force and the desire to dominate. The greed for possession of valuable or rare objects can lead to criminal acts.
Evasive behavior
People who are overwhelmed by their everyday lives often "flee" to collecting because they can prove themselves there in a limited and manageable field of activity. The fear of social contact can also lead to withdrawal and preferential occupation with objects.
Compensation for unfulfilled social wishes
People who do not receive sufficient confirmation and recognition in everyday life receive it with the help of their collection among other collectors.
Compensation for unfulfilled sexual desires
Sigmund Freud - he enthusiastically collected scarabs , rings and statuettes - also sees the passion for collecting as a substitute satisfaction to compensate for unfulfilled sexual desires.
Coping with unconscious fears
Collecting and hoarding can also be based on an unconscious fear of lack, which can be compensated by collecting. Collecting is therefore common among people who experienced shortages in their childhood (e.g. poverty, war experiences, shortages in the post-war period, etc.).

Collectors can fall victim to the symptom of collecting and neglect themselves, partnerships and other social contacts . In extreme cases, as an addiction, this can lead not only to a collection being created in a clearly defined subject area, but to everything being collected: every piece of packaging paper, every receipt, everything that the collector can get his hands on (cf.e.g. . Bibliomanie and compulsive hoarding ).

Positive aspects

Relaxation
As a relaxing activity, collecting can counteract the hectic pace and stress.
Leisure activity
In societies in which people have more free time, collecting certain objects is a way of passing the time and preventing boredom and inactivity.
further education
Collecting is used for personal further training in leisure time, since collectors usually deal with aspects of their collectibles, for example historical , art-historical , geographical and technical .
Contact with other people
In societies in which many people have to struggle against isolation , exchanges with like-minded collectors enable contact and communication .
Social position, imparting knowledge, culture
Since the collector a large collection to a specific collection area recognition will find at least with like-minded collectors, his position improved in society. It can help spread knowledge. Many collectors are valued as experts in their field or present themselves as lenders . Private collections often form the basis of important museums, libraries or galleries or enrich them significantly.
Contribution to livelihood
In many societies, collecting things for a living (for example firewood or food) is still vital today. In industrial societies this collecting is usually a hobby, but it conveys a positive feeling of added value and thus contributes to well-being. Financial aspects can also play a role in that a collection is seen as an investment. Social emergency situations often lead those affected to special forms of collecting, such as bottle collectors .

In a broader sense, the search for raw materials (see also gold rush ), harvesting or breeding animals should be seen as a further form of collecting.

Uncollect, sort out, destroy

“Desamming” as a term is rather unusual. Museums and libraries, on the other hand, sort out duplicates, books are sorted out or discarded and canceled. Individual valuable objects, often works of art or technical objects, are sold or auctioned, for example in order to carry out construction work or to set other collection focuses. Political systems repeatedly intervene in collections, be it in order to enrich themselves, ideologically motivated, such as the law on confiscation of products of degenerate art , or destroy works of art for religious reasons. The novel Fahrenheit 451 describes the destruction of libraries and collectors as a dystopia .

Legal situation

Collection bans are issued, for example, to protect rare plants and animals. Ground monuments are protected as registered cultural monuments in terms of monument protection by the respective country-specific monument protection laws. In Germany, the law on the protection of cultural property is intended to protect German cultural assets, among other things.

See also

literature

  • Lothar Beinke: collecting and collecting . Tönningen u. a. 2005, ISBN 3-89959-359-6 .
  • Lothar Beinke: The collector - a character study. In: Magazine of the European Money Bank Collectors , 1/2009
  • Inge and Lothar Beinke: collector profiles. Tönningen u. a. 2007, ISBN 978-3-89959-607-6 .
  • Philipp Blom: collecting miracle, collecting mania. Scenes from the story of a passion . Eichborn, Frankfurt am Main 2004 ( The Other Library ), ISBN 3-8218-4537-6 .
  • Justus Engelfried: Collecting, Collectors and Collected Things - A manual for the intelligent collector . Shaker Media 2008, ISBN 978-3-940459-99-2 .
  • Boris Groys: Logic of the Collection. At the end of the museum age . Hanser, Munich a. a. 1997, ISBN 3-446-18932-7 .
  • Adam Lindemann: Collecting Contemporary . Taschen Verlag, Cologne 2006, ISBN 3-8228-4938-3 .
  • Werner Muensterberger : Collect. An irrepressible passion. Psychological Perspectives . Suhrkamp, ​​Frankfurt am Main 1999, ISBN 3-518-39524-6 .
  • Evamaria Blattner and Karlheinz Wiegmann (eds.): Treasures from the hidden. Collecting and collections in Tübingen. Tübingen 2010
  • Andreas Urs Sommer, Dagmar Winter, Miguel Skirl: The hoarding. A philosophy of collecting . Parerga Verlag, Düsseldorf 2000, ISBN 3-930450-54-2 .
  • Manfred Sommer : Collect. A philosophical attempt . Frankfurt am Main 1999, ISBN 3-518-58279-8 .

Web links

Commons : Collect  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: collect  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. JR Auberson: The collector's courses for wristwatches. Nice 1992.
  2. See also Julius von Schlosser : The art and curiosity chambers of the late Renaissance. A contribution to the history of collecting. Leipzig 1908.
  3. Heinz and Carina Weiß: A world like a dream - Sigmund Freud as a collector of antique art objects . Yearbook of Psychoanalysis, Volume 16 (1984) pp 189-217.