Collect the past to invest for your future.

Wow, Jenny and I have just returned from a trip to the U.S.A. where we toured the National Parks in the west and enjoyed its music culture on the east coast, as well the country’s history wherever we went. It was amazing!

One of the most pleasant surprises, to us, was the friendliness and warmth of the people. Americans love to talk and have a conversation and will greet you warmly and seemed to enjoy our company. They are like this with locals, visitors and tourists. Also the kids are well mannered, teenagers will excuse themselves if they are in the way, open doors for you and are genuinely helpful. It was not what we expected from American culture and we were more than pleasantly surprised.

Have you ever watched American Pickers on T.V. (Seven Mate)? It is a collecting show where Frank and Mike travel the backroads of the U.S. looking for historic old items for sale. When we were in Nashville I noticed that one of their two Antique shop outlets was there, (Antique Archaeology). I had to go! It was great with many items that I had seen them collect, on display in the store. I bought an Antique Archaeology cap and made another purchase as well. A great experience even though I didn’t get to meet the stars of the show.

An area of collecting for which I have always had a passion is old advertising, shop packaging items and shop usage items. It is amazing what turns up in the most unlikely places and they display really well. Advertising signs, old scales, cash registers, bottles, tins, boxes and interesting packaged items from the past are a unique form of collecting that many people enjoy, plus you get to meet very interesting people.

Jen and I were at Wentworth Park Antique Fair a few years ago and a chap and I were looking at the same type of shop packaging collectables at a stall. We started talking ad he turned out to be a professor at a Sydney university who said he had been collecting shop memorabilia for many years. After our talk he invited us to go to his house in Glebe to view his collection. We went, and wow,
what a collection he had! A room was filled floor to ceiling with packaged items from the 1880s to the 1960s. You name it, he had it. Many items that were a ‘holy grail’ to packaging collectors were there. Professor Marcus and I have remained friends and we still catch up regularly at Wentworth Park.

You meet interesting people in this world of collecting. It gets in your blood and the enjoyment in finding just that right item is the appeal. It keeps you active (searching), keeps your mind ticking over (research and talking to many interesting people) and it is something that can be started at any age and can continue for as long as you wish.

I recommend collecting to all.

Remember, if you have items you are not sure of, I may be able to help with information and appraisals. Ring Rex –0427 546 880.