A Glimpse of The Collection
This isn’t the first time I have written about collections, or handwritten letters in general. Both topics fascinate me, after all. I typically have an easy time letting go of material objects, and I don’t buy much “stuff” for myself or others, unless I truly believe it will be appreciated by the recipient and I can truly afford the expense. Yet, I am a hoarder of ephemera. Honestly, what you see above is just part of my collection. At least it is relatively light-weight and easy to haul and/or ship.
What does being a hoarder of ephemera even mean? It means that I am the person that has saved just about every little ticket stub ever handed back to me, every wedding invitation extended to me, and every post card and letter sent to me (how else could I keep track of all of the places I have lived?). I treasure journals and yearbooks, love notes from grammar school crushes, matchbooks from favorite establishments, creative business cards, and let’s not even get started on old photos. Oh, and it isn’t just personal. I love all ephemera, especially of the vintage variety.
I know that I am not alone, but it does seem that I am increasingly in the minority when it comes to things that have been easily replaced or tossed aside by technology. Please tell me. Do you collect ephemera? What kind? Or is there anything else that you collect that you feel you can’t/won’t ever voluntarily let go of? Books? Beads? Guitar picks? Records? Crystal? Matchbooks from vacations past?
*Leave me a comment between now and Saint Patrick’s Day and I will draw a name and send the winner a handwritten letter with my Waterman pen on some stationary or an old card. Your comment can be about anything – what you collect, why you collect it, the (lost?) art of all things handwritten, etc. etc. Rapport. It (still) matters to me.
I envy your collection! I used to collect random items that others may consider trash, in an attempt to hoard memories…without the small item I kept I would have forgotten many of the memories it ignited!
I’ve tossed out or lost most of them, but I do have a moderately sized accordion folder with letters and postcards. I rarely revisit them, but I like holding on to them.
Hi Valynne…. I used to save more than I do now, but I still have several boxes of cards from students and friends, photos, some tickets, poems, songs I have written (lyrics – all unpublished) and other stuff, and I go back and check them out every once in a blue moon. I think your collection is actually your research for your book! You’re in my thoughts far more often than I write, and I will sit and write you a letter (we share that love) one day SOON!! I’m sending love to you and Paul as I think of you now, XO:>)
Well, since I have only two commenters and I love you both, it looks like we have two lucky winners : ) Letters on the way…