Sometimes dealers and other sellers of antiques and collectibles get a bad rap — OK, a lot of times they do, and I’m not going to go into all of that, but…
As a collector there are times when your auction lots runneth over and you end up with more than you want (or can even house). So it seems only natural to trade or sell a few things here and there… That’s pretty much what a dealer is, you know; someone who deals or trades in antiques and vintage stuff, with the most agreed upon fair trade equity being money, honey. So it’s all good, right? Right.
Anyway, there’s another time a collector becomes a seller. Such as when they find themselves in the possession of something they feel someone else would value so much they feel guilty holding onto it. That’s how I feel about this particular item.
I do collect vintage pinups and I’ve been paring down my collection (making more room in my house and wallet), but this particular vintage matchbook struck a chord…
On the front of the vintage matchbook it reads:
Greetings From Joe Gorenc
Skat Trounament
Every Wed. & Third Sun.
Ice Cool Eights
Any Time
2413 Calumet Drive
Sheboygan, Wis
Despite the condition issues, this is cool enough for the pinup and the reference to the old Skat tournament games too — but, you see, I know that there was a Joe Gorenc who was a POW in WWII. He did live in Sheboygan after the war, until his death in the 1950s, and I just feel like someone else should have this. So it’s up for sale, in my listings at eBay.
And I don’t think it’s unfair to charge for it. After all, I did pay for it — and I’ve kept it safe another decade or so before realizing what I had and then carefully describing it, making it available for the person or persons searching for it.
In most cases, this is what dealers do. It’s what collectors do, sooner or later.
And it’s not dirty. It’s a good thing.
We do it for love. And money. Not necessarily for the love of money. But there’s no reason we can’t lovingly spend the time to make sure things are preserved and available in the marketplace. After all, as collectors, we are there putting our time and money back into that marketplace. Usually at a hugely disproportionate rate. *wink*
I’m here via Marty’s post this AM about your blog, although I’ve run across it before, namely through an Antiquing friend of mine (she isn’t an antique) by the name of Marianne Dow. I don’t collect per se, but I acquire old paper (letterhead, billhead) and then place my art work on the pieces that has something to do with the paper. I’m following now, so I won’t miss any of your good stuff!
Hi Dave, and thanks for not only stopping by, but leaving a comment. 🙂 Check around, we have a number of posts about altered art, recycling and repurposing vintage etc. Maybe something will inspire!