Breathing life into the dying art of collecting
In a changing world, some things are worth preserving
Ethan Miller takes the podium at the Canadian Antique Phonograph Society meeting in Toronto on January 12, 2020.
On Saturday, January 12th, Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions took the podium at the Canadian Antique Phonograph Society meeting at Centennial College in Toronto. The society consists of over two hundred collectors whose interests range across all aspects of antique music machines, sound recording and its history. Miller had a simple question for the CAPS members - “Why do you collect?”. Answers sprung from around the room; one collector mentioned nostalgic connections to objects from childhood and another mentioned the tantalizing ‘thrill of the chase’; however, the resounding answer amongst the group was the simple desire to learn and share the ‘stories’ behind fascinating objects of the past.
Although the CAPS meeting attendance would lead one to believe there was a cue at the door and a waitlist to join, the unfortunate reality is that dedicated collectors of historical objects are becoming few and far between. Many collector associations and clubs with focus on antiques and historical items are finding their enrollment rates at an all-time low. To understand why, we must examine the market as it exists in today’s society, teetering on the edge of a fast-paced, digital world. How can we slow down to ensure the art of collecting is not lost in the urgency of today?
The antique market, loosely defined as a basket of objects 100-years or older, has been on a downward slope for over twenty years. In a recent New York Times article, Colin Stair, owner of Stair Galleries in Hudson, New York, provides numerous first-hand examples of the depreciating value of antiques. He recalls selling a set of George III-style carved mahogany chairs in 2002 for $8,000, while a similar set brought him only $350 in 2016. But, why?
George III style carved mahogany chairs. Left, sold at Stair Galleries for $8,000 in 2002. Right, sold for only $350 in 2016. Source
As with any trend, the pendulum swings due to a number of factors. The 2008 recession had a major impact on the antique market, as people found themselves with significantly less disposable income to spend on hobbies such as collecting. The “Baby Boomers,'' an antique-collecting generation born in the years following the Second World War, are downsizing. The way people live has also changed significantly over the past few decades as homes have become smaller, with open-concept living spaces rather than formal dining rooms and studies, reducing the need for stately antique furnishings and décor items. At the forefront of this decline, we are faced with a generation of young adults, raised in the age of the internet, who tend to live largely minimalistic, ‘clutter-free’ lifestyles. However, this tech-savvy generation also seeks, absorbs and shares information faster than any before – presenting seasoned collectors with a unique opportunity to pass down the stories behind historical objects that may otherwise be overlooked as unnecessary commodities.
The 2008 recession had a major impact on the antique market. The above graph depicts how the U.S. median family net worth peaked in 2007, then drastically plummeted due to the recession until 2013, and only partially recovered by 2016. Source
With the increase of rent prices and the decrease of square footage in homes, people have less money and less room for stately antique furnishings and decor items. Source
Ethan Miller told the CAPS audience of a recent auction highlight – a wooden nameboard from an old ship painted with the words “City of Dresden” which sold for $5,900. At first glance, it looks like a piece of painted wood from a decrepit ship – however, Miller went on to tell the story behind it.
Historic name board from the "City of Dresden" ship sold for $5900 in 2018.
Signed "R. ("Dickie") Edmonds", the Government Liquor Inspector.
On the evening of November 17th, 1922, in the height of the prohibition era, a battered wooden steamboat named ‘City Of Dresden’ found itself sinking in turbulent storm waters off the coast of Long Point. The boat was carrying illegal booze; 1000 cases and 500 kegs of Corby’s best whiskey were stored in its hold – in addition to several large kegs of ‘Old Crow’ whiskey secured on the upper deck. In an effort to lighten the load and regain control of the ship, Captain John Sylvester McQueen ordered the crew to start tossing the Old Crow kegs into the water. As the storm worsened and the ship was throttled by fifty-foot waves, the crew decided to abandon ship. They tossed a lifeboat into the water, only for it to be swept away immediately. They attempted a second, which capsized and claimed the life of Captain McQueen’s son. Eventually, the crew was able to right the lifeboat and throw a line ashore, where a group of bystanders were able to pull them to safety. Meanwhile, as this horrific series of events was taking place, loads of whiskey kegs and cases were washing ashore. Locals caught word quickly, and the beach was soon overrun with wards of ‘thirsty’ individuals looking to secure their bounty. In efforts to evade the authorities, people were frantically burying their scores on the beach, as well as stashing them in hollow trees, cisterns, manure piles, and haymows. Very little of the Dresden’s cargo was ever recovered by police.
The 'City of Dresden' in its former glory. Source.
Suddenly, the ‘City of Dresden’ nameboard is no longer just a piece of wood, but rather a tangible piece of a fascinating historical tale. In fact, if you look even closer at it, you can see the faint signature of Government Liquor Inspector “R. (Dickie) Edmonds”, who witnessed the calamity firsthand. It begs the question, how frequently would this story be shared if no nameboard had been preserved to spark the conversation? And, as you read this – how likely would you be to learn of this story without reading this article?
At the meeting, a CAPS member noted how the immediacy of the internet has negatively impacted the intrigue of collecting by greatly diminishing the ‘thrill of the chase’. No longer does a collector have to scour the shelves of antique markets in search of that one magical item, as now with just a few clicks of a button, nearly anything can be shipped to your front door. Marketplaces like Ebay have made commodities of objects what were once considered rare. As the world shrinks before our eyes, perhaps it is time we shift focus from the ‘thrill of the chase’ to the ‘thrill of the story’.
The most important thing collectors can do to preserve the art of collecting is to simply tell the story. Historical items need to be preserved and passed on as more than just inert ‘objects’. The internet is a wonderous portal for documenting and sharing information, and serves as an easy channel to connect with the upcoming generation. An effort as small as sharing a Miller Times article on your social media page could light the ‘spark’ in a new collector. After all, everyone loves a good story.
Story by Tess M.
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