The Collector

The Secret Lives of Lone Hunters

• By JEN MAFFETT –

Some people who come into our “antiques and more” store have a certain look about them; they are on a mission. They begin to systematically peer into nooks and crannies, searching high and bending low. If it is quiet, I can’t help but ask, “Are you looking for something special?”

One answer I get is, “I’ll know it when I see it.” That either means they are open to being charmed by something unexpected or that they are keeping their quest close to their vest. They are the lone hunter. But often, if they are indeed a collector, they will get a twinkle in their eye and begin to share a story. Their personal puzzle has a piece missing and they hope to find it here.

The psychology of collecting describes the hobby as a way to create connections, establish a predictable order, or define a consistent place in the world. Or it could be simply driven by the thrill of the hunt. Whatever the reason, collecting provides a satisfying “click” in the brain akin to aligning the last number in a combination lock and hearing the sound of the hasp opening.

The passions of the collectors we meet are as varied as their hairstyles or the shoes that they wear, and neither of those can give you any clue as to what they are searching for. One day I watched a man in motorcycle leathers carry his helmet around as he searched for his special something.

 I was idly wondering how he planned to get his treasure home if he found it. People find clever ways to carry all kinds of things on their bikes, including their four-footed friends, but I hoped it wouldn’t get complicated. Then I noticed he was aiming a space-age gadget at the shelves he studied. It turned out that the gadget he held was a miniature black light, and his quest was for uranium glass… particularly marbles! He explained how to identify these pocket-sized prizes and the appeal seemed to be in their trickiness. They are, after all, hidden treasures.

Others collect dishes, copper kitchenware or things like lace doilies. One young woman was seeking a particular size of garnet depression glass plate to replace the one missing from her family’s collection. Another woman took me on her personal collecting journey by showing me photos on her phone of her favorite flowered plates. I got a surprise when I asked the doily collector about her mission. She was seeking vintage tatted and crocheted pieces to transform into huge sculptural modern art. I loved being able to see photos of her work before I scurried off to help her find more stitchery tucked away in various places of the store.

Some celebrate their profession with artifacts that relate. A dentist came in looking for apothecary jars to fill a decorative chest in her waiting room. A man whose job was to test the accuracy of commercial scales now collects antique weights and measuring tools. A family whose members had for generations been employed at the ladder factory in Bath, NY (now closed) collect all things “Babcock”… from decorated pieces of wood to hinges, signage and tools. One collector had a career as an artificial inseminator, helping to grow cows as well as the cattle industry, so he has an affinity for anything dairy related.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating stories is about the person who collects milk bottles from Steuben County. He is an avid genealogist, so he has combined his collection with genealogy, developing family trees for each dairy, as they were often handed down through the family. He loves finding out all he can about the owners, the dates they were active, and exactly where they were located. He creates vivid narratives around his finds.

Often the collectibles represent a special place or time. From boat flags to wine labels, people enjoy taking home a bit of the Finger Lakes in their bag. But they also will capture pieces of their own personal history when they find a toy or a game from their childhood or an item that identifies a place important to their family. It might be a beer tray, a map, or a cookie tin that gives them a nostalgic reminder of a person or moment.

The background music playing in the store often has overlays of voices saying things like: “Hey, Jeannie! Do you remember staying up all night playing with this?” “Oh, Mom had one of these!” “This is just like the model train I used to have.” “Uncle B. was born in Penn Yan. He would love to see this.” When they visit, each collector brings a unique story to life, as the objects in their midst brings the past alive. 

–JP Maffett is a vendor at Patina, an antiques, collectibles and handcrafts store in Hammondsport, NY.

PATINA is a women-owned store located at 57 Shethar St, in Hammondsport. 

It features Antiques and Vintage Home & Garden items from 18 different vendors. You will find antiques, collectibles, vintage kitchen items, flowery décor items, locally made natural skin care products, books for young and old, jewelry for all tastes, fine crystal, and much more. 

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Phone: 607 224-4010  PatinaAntiques57@GMail.Com Like/follow them on Facebook at Patina and on Instagram
@PatinaAntiquesAndMore.