Food For Thought

not2sharp · 28th February 2006, 02:27 AM

I would recommend reading Werner Muensterberger's Collecting - An Unruly Passion (Princeton unv press, 1994). He looks at the collecting from a psychoanalytic perspective and cites the popularity of collecting well back to the edge of recorded history. He believe that collectors and collecting do so to satisfy some basic need. Like Linus with his security blanket, collectors tend to derive comfort from acquring objects and from the quest for the objects. It doesn't matter what the objects are, or whether they have any economic value. It is an escape to a comforting place; and something that develops in early childhood.

Given the long hour worked by parents these days, and the way youngsters are packed away in day care centers, we may well see a boom in collector interests. Whether any of that will attach itself to the items we collect is hard to say; however historical pieces are a custodial function, where fewer and fewer classic examples survive with every passing day. Demand will go up just as a factor of attrition. But, be not concerned, kids today may be into other things but they are still as excited as we were about acquiring them.

n2s

rasdan · 28th February 2006, 05:24 AM

As for me, i think that the fact that one day my stuff are gonna be sold is unavoidable. So i just accept the fact and i have made a price list of the stuff and gave it to my wife just in case i kicked the bucket early. My wife said she wont sell it, but when it reaches the children, grandchildren, i hope they'll have some price guide (if it helps at that particular time). Money is not everything, but it is really important. On second thought, perhaps i should make a will and have the collections donated to the museum, just to ensure that it wont end up in ebay's no reserve auction of $0.99...

Well.. i guess my collections are not that valuable after all..

Valjhun · 28th February 2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasdan

, just to ensure that it wont end up in ebay's no reserve auction of $0.99...

Rasdan,

A step out of the conversation, but, auctions with 0,99$ starting bids for a piece with value around 1000$ usually ends for a twice price compared to thoose auctions for virtually the same item with starting bid 500$, wich end out not sold.

Sorry for interruption, Gentlemen, Intersting debate, please, go on.

Spunjer · 28th February 2006, 01:01 PM

since my collection mainly consist of filipino weapons, getting my kids interested in other aspects of it like the history that goes with it gets them interested. like Valjhun mentioned, video games does help; perfect example was when my son found out there was a moro kris in mortal Kombat. it became his favorite weapon even if the character was weak, lol.

Jens Nordlunde · 28th February 2006, 05:17 PM

All right Andrew, I will add you to the list

.

Jens

BluErf · 5th March 2006, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasdan

Well.. i guess my collections are not that valuable after all..

Sell them to me!!!

Don't underestimate the value of your keris collection. You have some very nice pieces in your collection!

BluErf · 5th March 2006, 01:44 AM

I think as collectors of blades, we are a bit safer than collectors of 'curios'. At least there is an established base of collectors, researchers, literature and not forgetting museum exhibits.

The blades are part of a people's history and culture, and sometimes national pride. So unless a people is completely obliterated, there will always be someone who is interested in his roots and past and will collect these blades. And furthermore, there will always be the 'non-native' collectors here and there. Sometimes, the government recognizes the significance of these blades and passes policies that facilitate the survival of the blade arts (the Japanese comes to mind as an example).

Btw, I'm 27. I started collecting kerises when I was 22. Does that make me part of the current generation obsessed with mp3 players with gigabytes of songs that they didn't know they had?

Well, ok, I could be the oddball amongst my more 'modern' peers, but I think there are new young collectors being born every day.

rasdan · 5th March 2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

Sell them to me!!!

Don't underestimate the value of your keris collection. You have some very nice pieces in your collection!

Mine is just normal stuff Blu. For the time being, i think i'll just keep it so that i have something to look at before retiring to bed every night.

BluErf · 5th March 2006, 09:15 AM

I distinctively remember some of your posts. There are beautiful pieces in your collection! If you bring them down to Adni's shop, I'm very sure they will go into the 'premium kerises' showcase upstairs.

But you are right, we derive more pleasure from looking at them and caring for them than having the money in our bank account. Who wants something as common as money, or a Rolex for that matter!

An ex-classmate's wife recently told me that her colleague just bought a $0.5mil watch (a Jaeger-LeCoultre, I believe). I immediately told her I'd rather have a $0.5mil keris.

She looked at me as if I were mad. Well, I don't care...

Lee · 7th March 2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not2sharp

... Werner Muensterberger's Collecting - An Unruly Passion (Princeton unv press, 1994). He looks at the collecting from a psychoanalytic perspective and cites the popularity of collecting well back to the edge of recorded history. He believe that collectors and collecting do so to satisfy some basic need ... collectors tend to derive comfort from acquring objects and from the quest for the objects.

I will have to try to find that book; I agree with the viewpoint you have summarized. Take a look at the effort people will go to for imaginary items in games like World of Warcraft and the compulsive efforts pursuring the numerous quests in that game.

I am presently savoring my way through Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle (1962) and some of his insights relevant to collecting and faking antiques.

I believe the thing for us to be concerned with is not a fading interest in what we collect, but the danger of legislative prohibitions upon these objects as weapons. The 2nd Amendment (thank you Founding Fathers) provides us some shielding in the USA, but some of our Australian comrade's collections may well be in peril.

... gtg ... WoW servers should now be back up...

Valjhun · 7th March 2006, 07:04 PM

I never understood the fact, why would be owning an antique, not sharp katana submissed to prohibitions when you can buy a lot cheaper chainsaw in the next hardware store... Let's gonna left to the court experst to say wich can make more damage to fellow citizens.. nosense...

Tim Simmons · 7th March 2006, 07:08 PM

I just do not understand this moral panic about antique weapon collecting, the weapons available at any DIY store or garden center are many. Like religion the weapon is harmless it is the person behind it that is dangerous. Tim.

Titus Pullo · 7th March 2006, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I just do not understand this moral panic about antique weapon collecting, the weapons available at any DIY store or garden center are many. Like religion the weapon is harmless it is the person behind it that is dangerous. Tim.

I don't believe religeon plays a direct role behind the fundamentalist-extremists' politcal view and agenda. But what I do believe is religeons do give these people the courage and strength to carry out their evil, personal, political agenda. So it gives them the strength and courage to do, what they think, any violent demonstrations that is necessary.

28th February 2006, 05:24 AM	#2
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 369	As for me, i think that the fact that one day my stuff are gonna be sold is unavoidable. So i just accept the fact and i have made a price list of the stuff and gave it to my wife just in case i kicked the bucket early. My wife said she wont sell it, but when it reaches the children, grandchildren, i hope they'll have some price guide (if it helps at that particular time). Money is not everything, but it is really important. On second thought, perhaps i should make a will and have the collections donated to the museum, just to ensure that it wont end up in ebay's no reserve auction of $0.99... Well.. i guess my collections are not that valuable after all.. Last edited by rasdan; 28th February 2006 at 05:28 AM. Reason: spelling

28th February 2006, 05:17 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	All right Andrew, I will add you to the list. Jens

28th February 2006, 02:27 AM	#1
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	I would recommend reading Werner Muensterberger's Collecting - An Unruly Passion (Princeton unv press, 1994). He looks at the collecting from a psychoanalytic perspective and cites the popularity of collecting well back to the edge of recorded history. He believe that collectors and collecting do so to satisfy some basic need. Like Linus with his security blanket, collectors tend to derive comfort from acquring objects and from the quest for the objects. It doesn't matter what the objects are, or whether they have any economic value. It is an escape to a comforting place; and something that develops in early childhood. Given the long hour worked by parents these days, and the way youngsters are packed away in day care centers, we may well see a boom in collector interests. Whether any of that will attach itself to the items we collect is hard to say; however historical pieces are a custodial function, where fewer and fewer classic examples survive with every passing day. Demand will go up just as a factor of attrition. But, be not concerned, kids today may be into other things but they are still as excited as we were about acquiring them. n2s

28th February 2006, 01:01 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	since my collection mainly consist of filipino weapons, getting my kids interested in other aspects of it like the history that goes with it gets them interested. like Valjhun mentioned, video games does help; perfect example was when my son found out there was a moro kris in mortal Kombat. it became his favorite weapon even if the character was weak, lol.

5th March 2006, 01:44 AM	#7
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I think as collectors of blades, we are a bit safer than collectors of 'curios'. At least there is an established base of collectors, researchers, literature and not forgetting museum exhibits. The blades are part of a people's history and culture, and sometimes national pride. So unless a people is completely obliterated, there will always be someone who is interested in his roots and past and will collect these blades. And furthermore, there will always be the 'non-native' collectors here and there. Sometimes, the government recognizes the significance of these blades and passes policies that facilitate the survival of the blade arts (the Japanese comes to mind as an example). Btw, I'm 27. I started collecting kerises when I was 22. Does that make me part of the current generation obsessed with mp3 players with gigabytes of songs that they didn't know they had? Well, ok, I could be the oddball amongst my more 'modern' peers, but I think there are new young collectors being born every day.

5th March 2006, 09:15 AM	#9
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I distinctively remember some of your posts. There are beautiful pieces in your collection! If you bring them down to Adni's shop, I'm very sure they will go into the 'premium kerises' showcase upstairs. But you are right, we derive more pleasure from looking at them and caring for them than having the money in our bank account. Who wants something as common as money, or a Rolex for that matter! An ex-classmate's wife recently told me that her colleague just bought a $0.5mil watch (a Jaeger-LeCoultre, I believe). I immediately told her I'd rather have a $0.5mil keris. She looked at me as if I were mad. Well, I don't care...

7th March 2006, 07:04 PM	#11
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	I never understood the fact, why would be owning an antique, not sharp katana submissed to prohibitions when you can buy a lot cheaper chainsaw in the next hardware store... Let's gonna left to the court experst to say wich can make more damage to fellow citizens.. nosense...

7th March 2006, 07:08 PM	#12
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I just do not understand this moral panic about antique weapon collecting, the weapons available at any DIY store or garden center are many. Like religion the weapon is harmless it is the person behind it that is dangerous. Tim.