The Thrill of the Hunt: Confessions of a Collector

Hi, my name is Nicki and I am a collector. I first became addicted to collecting several years ago when it became necessary to clean out the homes of various relatives in Childress and Shallowater. These homes were filled with items that had been stored away for many long years There were no expectations that sacks of money or even long hidden treasure and valuables, would be uncovered. Even though it was a sad task for us, it wasn’t long before I began to experience feelings of pleasure that accompanied the discovery of the more mundane kind of items such as opening a box to find very old delicate tiny buttons, or looking in the kitchen cabinets to find old kitchen utensils that I hadn’t seen since childhood in my mother’s house, or old tins and boxes of spices held for years after expiration dates, but still displayed in the old fashioned tins of yesteryear, or old tin type photos of people long forgotten, or old cameras, tools, or even clothing. At this time I was introduced to the intoxication that comes from “the find” and I wanted MORE. Soon I was experiencing uncontrolled urges to look in every nook and cranny and every drawer to see what could be found to satisfy my desire for another rush. I was swept up watching shows on television about antique appraisal, visiting every antique shop to compare what we had found with those in the shops, visiting bookstores to find resources to help in identifying the items that had by now become “stuff” to treasure, not for monetary value but for the joy of having them, displaying them, and showing them off. My attic and house were soon cluttered with old fountain pens, eye glasses, cut glass, quilts, vases, old boxes, sets of china and dishes, old letters, WWII memorabilia. I was truly addicted, and even more so because these items had once belonged to the “family.” But soon this wasn’t enough; I needed something stronger, more challenging, and sadly more costly. The “beast” inside me was raging. (Apologies to my dear, but shocked readers)

It wasn’t long before I was found lurking in the darkest corner of the Internet. (no, silly reader, not porn! I was addicted, not perverted.) The dark corner for my addiction was Ebay. I had found my never ending supply of “old stuff” and the more primitive the better. I sought out wooden blocks of every shape and size, decorated with Disney characters, carved with letters of the alphabet, and old wooden egg crates. When that wasn’t enough, I moved to acquiring missing pieces for the old sets of dishes that we now had, and then I needed more McCoy pottery, always looking for the next item.

Along the way, in an antique store, I discovered brightly colored pieces of enamelware. Perhaps you, dear reader, have seen them—bright red, green, blue, or yellow tea pots, pitchers, coffee makers, plates, and other kitchenware. These soon began to regularly arrive on my front porch, from California, Texas, New Jersey, and even Europe. Sellers from every port proudly displayed their wares for sale to any buyer. It was too much for me to resist.

To my delight Jim was soon adding to my hunts. He was showing signs of sharing my addiction with his desire to acquire by year, golf clubs like every set that he had ever played with and then he had me searching for old, old books about basketball that were referenced in current books.

As a buyer I soon perfected my talent and technique for becoming the winning bidder in each auction. I snatched items from the hands of other bidders, swooping in at the last second with the winning bid. Such fun, such a rush, such a mess!

It soon became apparent to my family that Mom was out of control. With visions of someday having to pack away and get rid all my acquisitions they staged an intervention where I received an “order” to please not bring any more “old stuff” into the house or attic. It was at this point that I began to seek help for my addiction. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a twelve step program for my particular addiction, so I made up my own program. This included:

Step One: I admitted I was powerless over Ebay. My house and attic had become unmanageable.

Step Two: I came to believe that a power greater than myself could restore me to sanity--My bank account and the realization that I couldn’t buy a bigger house.

Step Three: I made a decision to bring order to my house and my life.

Step Four: I made a searching and fearless inventory of all my “finds” and old stuff— sorting the junk from the good stuff--most of it had to go. (Yes, worried readers, I kept Jim and the cats.)

Step Five: Admitted to myself that I didn’t need more things and that I was depriving other bidders and buyers the pleasure of acquiring what they wanted.

Step Six: I was entirely ready to have my defects of character that contributed to this addiction removed. ( Animal-like characteristics such as squirreling away things just for fun or for another day and snarling at those who tried to outbid me.)

Step Seven: Humbly, I removed myself from Ebay and all of its tempting delights.

Step Eight: I began the process of unloading. (garage sales and giving away)

And finally: I admitted that I was bored with the whole thing and tired of my house becoming filled with old stuff and looking like… well ……(No, dear sensitive readers, I won’t say a naughty word.)


Today, I live junk free (well almost). I still occasionally visit the antique store, but rarely buy anything. I rarely visit Ebay and they have forgotten who I am even though sometimes I consider becoming a seller. I have replaced many of the old things in my house with new stuff. Additionally, my desire to acquire more has been replaced with a strong need to organize every drawer, closet, and cabinet thanks to Clean Sweep on TLC and Mission Organization on HGTV.

I admit that I still have the need for the thrill of the hunt and collecting. But for today I am satisfied by seeking out people who are fortunate enough to have been members of the CHS Class of 1963 (No, frightened readers, I am not a stalker!), helping to organize 45th year reunions in Las Vegas and occasionally mini-reunions of friends meeting for dinner!

I hope you will join me in the thrill of the “hunt”.

For a more serious look at this subject go to my previous post on Friday, August 31, 2007
Grandma's Attic