I've just seen this post and I can relate! I am also a collector, mostly of natural history such as birds nests, animal bones, seed pods, pebbles and feathers. I also think that collecting photos counts. It's arguably a much more practical way of collecting because you can digitally take your collection with you wherever you go. Loving the seat covers from the tube too.
I’ve never collected a birds nest but there really is something so special about them- even just seeing them. I particularly love beech tree seed pods. So interesting how so many of us are drawn to the natural world in our collections. We’re all scientists and explorers and artists at heart, I think it’s very human
I love collecting photos of ‘things’, and I also collect a certain author, one artist, a couple of music bands and odds and sods to put in my printers trays. As a child I collected feathers too.
Photos are very easily done! I don’t think I could take less photos if I tried! Really interesting that you collect things by certain people, I hadn’t considered that. Do you collect only their works or other memorabilia relating to them?
So it’s a bit of both. With authors, I collect first editions preferably signed, and some but not all ephemera (cos I don’t like or can’t afford it), with my artist it’s limited to certain works, mainly earlier stuff. With music, it’s a lot of original press vinyl, promo CDs, and other bits and bobs again dependant on like and price. Photos I have literally 10s of thousands awaiting sorting.
I’m reading a book about London Underground mouquette right now! I took soooo many photos on the Tube during my year living in London. Photography is definitely a form of collecting. 🥰
I also collect books, old keys, sticks, and rocks. And other curiosities like acorns, nests, and pressed leaves / flowers. 🌿
Ooh fascinating! What’s the name of the book? It’s a nice way to record where you’ve been somehow, too.
Loove the idea of collecting keys! Keys are so magical. Little portals. Ah that reminds me I used to press flowers, which I haven’t done for ages! I’d love to start again
It is Seats of London: A Field Guide to London Transport Moquette Patterns by Andrew Martin. (Who I can’t seem to tag, but I just learned yesterday has a Substack!)
That’s true- but vintage is cool! Maybe they’re out of the charity shops and into the antiques markets. Yes renting and moving around definitely makes you very aware of your collections doesn’t it. Luckily for me sea glass and stones don’t take up much room as long as it doesn’t get out of hand! Let’s stick to collecting the small stuff then
I've just seen this post and I can relate! I am also a collector, mostly of natural history such as birds nests, animal bones, seed pods, pebbles and feathers. I also think that collecting photos counts. It's arguably a much more practical way of collecting because you can digitally take your collection with you wherever you go. Loving the seat covers from the tube too.
I’ve never collected a birds nest but there really is something so special about them- even just seeing them. I particularly love beech tree seed pods. So interesting how so many of us are drawn to the natural world in our collections. We’re all scientists and explorers and artists at heart, I think it’s very human
I love collecting photos of ‘things’, and I also collect a certain author, one artist, a couple of music bands and odds and sods to put in my printers trays. As a child I collected feathers too.
Photos are very easily done! I don’t think I could take less photos if I tried! Really interesting that you collect things by certain people, I hadn’t considered that. Do you collect only their works or other memorabilia relating to them?
So it’s a bit of both. With authors, I collect first editions preferably signed, and some but not all ephemera (cos I don’t like or can’t afford it), with my artist it’s limited to certain works, mainly earlier stuff. With music, it’s a lot of original press vinyl, promo CDs, and other bits and bobs again dependant on like and price. Photos I have literally 10s of thousands awaiting sorting.
Sounds like you are truly a collector. I've not collected items to do with a person or band before, it sounds rather lovely
I’m reading a book about London Underground mouquette right now! I took soooo many photos on the Tube during my year living in London. Photography is definitely a form of collecting. 🥰
I also collect books, old keys, sticks, and rocks. And other curiosities like acorns, nests, and pressed leaves / flowers. 🌿
Ooh fascinating! What’s the name of the book? It’s a nice way to record where you’ve been somehow, too.
Loove the idea of collecting keys! Keys are so magical. Little portals. Ah that reminds me I used to press flowers, which I haven’t done for ages! I’d love to start again
It is Seats of London: A Field Guide to London Transport Moquette Patterns by Andrew Martin. (Who I can’t seem to tag, but I just learned yesterday has a Substack!)
Yay thank you!!
Thank you! It’s been fun collecting them from the past couple of years I’ve been in London.
Ohh feathers is a nice one too! And thimbles is really interesting- I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen one in real life let alone a collection of them.
I wonder why our collections dwindle as we get older, more practical maybe?
That’s true- but vintage is cool! Maybe they’re out of the charity shops and into the antiques markets. Yes renting and moving around definitely makes you very aware of your collections doesn’t it. Luckily for me sea glass and stones don’t take up much room as long as it doesn’t get out of hand! Let’s stick to collecting the small stuff then