Preserving History through Collecting: Antique Treasures and Curios

As I gather these stories and items from the past, I am deeply immersed in the nostalgia and heritage that each piece carries. My daily life is a blend of collecting images, researching, and sometimes, even selling. Today, I will share some of my personal collections, highlighting the pieces from my past that have a timeless appeal and continue to resonate with me.

Heritage and Rare Portraits

One of my primary focuses is on collecting items from my heritage. Throughout the years, this has primarily been through photographs, but I have an almost obsessive admiration for figures from history, specifically Mary Queen of Scots. Her time in France during her reign is particularly fascinating. I have amassed a collection of coins from her era, as well as the majority of books written about her, most of which were published in the 1960s. These writings provide a unique window into her life and times.

Wartime Memorabilia

In addition to my historical fascination, I also collect old World War II propaganda posters and maps. There's something incredibly evocative about these items that transport me back to a time marked by both despair and determination. Furthermore, I have a collection of letters and Nazi party membership booklets, as well as any papers related to the war. These documents provide a tangible connection to a period that significantly shaped modern history.

One of my most compelling collections pertains to D-Day. Maps, intelligence reports, and files related to this monumental event not only serve as historical artifacts but also as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during that critical moment in World War II.

Vintage Collectibles

My fascination with the past extends to a wide array of vintage items, including portraits, lamps, books, and dishes. Ideally, I would cherish an entire wall of vintage portraits. I have a pronounced fondness for primitive tools and folk art, each piece adding its unique story to the collection of my life's treasures.

Disposable Antiquities

Over the years, I've sold and purchased thousands of items at flea markets. In the mid-1980s, I established a permanent booth at Denio’s Farmers Market and Auction, selling old bottles, pocket knives, and various collectible items. Pottery, vintage furniture, glassware, old signs, and watches were particularly in demand.

Many of the items I've acquired over the years have a habit of waiting for their market to rise. Vintage cameras, camera accessories, and costume jewelry are prime examples. These items have become collectors' items as new technology has made modern cameras superior in many ways.

My collection includes a myriad of vintage items, such as beaded purses, vintage castanets, and old eyewear with gem stones on the tips of the frames. Old pocket knives and bottles are also part of the collection, alongside a large glass pitcher full of vintage glass stoppers, a glass decanter filled with vintage marbles, and a hula hoop passed down from my mother. Each piece has its own story and significance.

Woven into the fabric of my collection are vintage Native American jewelry, artifacts, and costume items, including a head dress made from feathers and beads. I also have an actual leather vest with intricate bead work and a breast shield made from rib bones. The collection even includes a few old arrows, adding a tangible connection to the past.

Grandpa Humor and Yard Sales

When I step out to a flea market a couple of times a year, the items I bring often draw a crowd. I give away items if I think someone would appreciate them, and I also host an annual yard sale where I can clear out and share even more of my collection. Even simple items like vintage dental pneumatic drills or a hula hoop from my mother's youth can bring joy.

As I hold onto these antiquities, I reflect on the absurdity and humor of my childhood. The hula hoop that my mother got when she was about twelve, complete with noisy pellets inside, was recently sold after being passed down from generation to generation. Recently, I purchased a vintage wardrobe suit case in excellent condition for five dollars, which still smells like fresh cedar.

The word 'junk' doesn't quite describe it; these items hold a special charm and a story, reminding us that every item has its purpose and history. It's a way of life that continues to enchant me and connect me with the past.