Collecting turns into something special when it is more than an accidental accumulation. It becomes a purposeful, thoughtful pursuit. Good collections tend to mirror one’s interests, knowledge and intent. Be it painting, literature, vintage items, or any other specialty, the same goals exist: create something cohesive, interesting and enduring.
Don’t collect aimlessly. Find a path.
Good collecting begins with a plan. One must find a theme. Collecting anything “interesting” may result in a very large, but rather meaningless, pile of objects. Better to pick a more specific time frame, style, author or type, and follow that path for your collecting. This way, your collection develops a character. Every item picked up in the future can be judged based on your chosen path. If this focus is missing, your collection may be in danger of having a mixed character.
Learn more than you collect
Knowledge comes first. Before you add something to your collection, you have to know what you are talking about. Knowledge will teach you how to tell a good object from a bad one, help you spot the mistakes of others, and allow you to understand what the items in your collection have in common. This knowledge eventually becomes the most useful tool a collector can possess. It gives you the ability to make better decisions and not be ruled by impulse or emotions. To collect without knowledge is simply accumulation, not real collecting.
Good beats Great
Many new collectors make the mistake of believing that size is everything. But the real measure of a collection is not how many items it contains, but how coherent it is. A smaller number of items, each chosen to fit a coherent concept, can easily outweigh a dozen of unrelated items. This also makes it easier to take care of, and to keep in the future.
Order your collection
Order and management become more and more important as your collection grows. It is important to know what your collection contains, where and when the items were obtained, why they are important and other details like that. A simple order, written notes, a database or a spreadsheet, can completely change the way you interact with your collection. An ordered system is what defines a real collection.
Be aware of its presentation
The way in which the collection is presented is at least as important as its content. By presenting the collection in a coherent manner, one can demonstrate the underlying logic behind it. Whether displayed chronologically, by author, by genre or by any other principle, a well presented collection tells the story of each item and connects them to one another.
It is never done
An interesting collection is one that develops. With each new bit of knowledge, you will realize that your collecting is changing. With each new year, your collection develops and matures as your knowledge grows, but also your taste and standards. It is a natural development, and it should be encouraged. Collecting, as such, is a process, not a destination.
In conclusion, to develop a good collection you have to learn, be purposeful and consistent. If an object is collected for a specific reason, your collection develops from a random pile of stuff, and becomes a personal, orderly system.