THE DIFFERENCES OF COLLECTING FOR PERSONAL ACCLAIM AND GAIN, VERSUS FOR A PUBLIC COLLECTION
DO WE GIVE ALL THE GOOD STUFF TO MUSEUMS? WE'VE GOT A PRETTY GOOD AVERAGE? BUT DOES THE PUBLIC KNOW THIS?
I DON'T WANT READERS TO THINK THAT ALL COLLECTORS AND ANTIQUE DEALERS, ARE FREQUENTLY, OR HABITUALLY AT ODDS WITH MUSEUMS AND PUBLIC ARCHIVES. IT JUST ISN'T SO. INDIVIDUALLY, WELL OF COURSE THERE ARE ISSUES BETWEEN THE DISCIPLINES. THERE ARE A LOT OF EGOS AT WORK HERE, SO YOU HAVE TO LOOK WELL BEYOND WHAT APPEARS OBVIOUS. JUST BECAUSE WE'RE IN BUSINESS, OF SELLING HISTORY'S REMAINDERS, DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T HAVE KEEN, TUTORED INSIGHT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION……AND PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY. WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ALL THE TIME. AS FOR PASSING ON HEIRLOOM PIECES TO THE PUBLIC DOMAN? EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE HAS ITS CHALLENGES. WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN AS PUSHOVERS. THAT WOULD BE A FATAL WEAKNESS ON OUR PART.
I GAVE READERS TWO EXAMPLES OF WHERE PROBLEMS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE PAST, SPECIFICALLY FOR DAVID BROWN OF HAMILTON, AND THE CURRIE FAMILY OF MUSKOKA. THERE ARE MANY MORE STORIES THAT PARALLEL OURS, BUT I HAVEN'T GOT PERMISSION TO PUBLISH THOSE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT ANTIQUE DEALERS AND COLLECTORS, AT LEAST THE ONES I HAVE MET IN MY OWN THIRTY FIVE YEARS IN THE PROFESSION, ARE FIERCELY STRONG PERSONALITIES. IT'S THE KIND OF PROFESSION WHERE BEING WEAK AND WISHY-WASHY WILL LIMIT YOUR LONGEVITY IN THE OLD "HUNT AND GATHER." WE HAVE TO POSSESS A KEEN AWARENESS OF CURRENT EVENTS, AN EXCEPTIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE PAST, BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE BEST, AND TAKE IT ON THE CHIN LIKE A PRIZE FIGHTER. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DEALERS AND COLLECTORS I'VE MET, MIGHT GET KNOCKED DOWN, AND EVEN REPEATEDLY, BUT ALWAYS SEEM TO BE ABLE TO CLAW THEIR WAY BACK TO FIGHTING POSITION. WE'VE GOT SOME TOUGH COOKIES IN THIS BUSINESS, BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT PHYSICAL PROWESS. IT'S ALL ABOUT EMOTIONAL STAMINA, AND BLIND DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED AT YET ANOTHER CHALLENGE. IF WE FAIL, WE HAVE THE SCARS TO SHOW, WE WERE UP TO OUR EARS IN THE GOOD FIGHT.
THE CHALLENGES BY THE WAY, NEVER STOP, BECAUSE THE HIGHLY APPROACHABLE ANTIQUE SHOP, WILL HAVE ALMOST DAILY REQUESTS TO PURCHASE HEIRLOOM PIECES. REGULAR REQUESTS TO BID ON ESTATE COLLECTIONS, AND HUSTLE TO RESIDENCES TO SEE IF A DINING ROOM SET, LISTED FOR SALE, WILL FIT IN THE SHOP. EVENING VISITS. SUNDAY MEETINGS WITH CLIENTS. EARLY MORNING APPRAISALS. OVER THE COUNTER ASSESSMENTS, AS WELL AS THE NORMAL SALES BUSINESS, THAT IS AFTER ALL, SUPPOSED TO GO ON AS PART OF PROFESSIONAL ROUTINE; YOU KNOW, THE FOLDING MONEY THAT KEEPS THE ECONOMIC CYCLE IN GOOD SHAPE. A LOT OF FOLKS, WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THE ANTIQUE PROFESSION, MIGHT EXPECT THE MOST EXCITEMENT IN A DAY, TENDING THE SHOP, WOULD BE THE INFREQUENT RINGING OF THE BELL ON THE DOOR, THE PHONE, THE COMPUTER KEYBOARD, OR THE ANNOYING "PINGING" SOUND OF A CUSTOMER CHECKING ALL THE CRYSTAL FOR THE PERFECT TONE. NOW MULTIPLY THIS BY TEN OR TWENTY, AND THIS GIVES A MINOR IMPRESSION, OF WHAT CAN GO ON IN AN AVERAGE ANTIQUE SHOP, ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS. THEN THERE ARE THE WORDS WE LOATHE TO HEAR. "WHAT'S YOUR BEST PRICE ON THIS POTTERY POTTY?" BY THE WAY, HERE'S WHAT WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SAY. "WHAT'S THE PRICE NOW?" (WAIT FOR ANSWER) "THEN DOUBLE IT. THAT WOULD BE MY BEST PRICE."
ONCE AGAIN, IF YOU WANT TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE TRADE OF OLD AND COLLECTIBLE STUFF, YOU HAVE TO STAY SHARP TO THE CHALLENGES YET TO COME. WE LIVE WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION, OF THE NEXT CALL OR PERSON THROUGH THE DOOR, BECAUSE GETTING A CALL TO BID ON A LARGE ESTATE, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN BE A BUSINESS BOOM, OR THE CUSP OF A DISASTER. I'VE KNOWN PROFESSIONALS IN THIS PRECARIOUS LAND-MINE FILLED TRADE, WHO UNDER TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES (YOU CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE), HAVE SUFFERED MAJOR HEART ATTACKS AND PHYSICAL INJURY. THERE ARE LOTS OF STRESSES INVOLVED, IN ACQUIRING INVENTORY, AND SATISFYING OUR CLIENTELE, THAT IS CARRIED ON BEHIND THE SCENES…..BEYOND THE CHARMING, PICTURESQUE, WELL DECORATED, AND HISTORICALLY APPOINTED ANTIQUE SHOPS. IT CAN GET PRETTY NUTS OUT THERE, IF, THAT IS, YOU WISH TO PLAY IN THE FAST LANE. I'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST, AND I'M QUITE HAPPY NOW TO SET SOME LIMITS ON MY HUNTING AND GATHERING ADVENTURES. MY DAYS OF HAULING MASSIVE FOUR COMPARTMENT ICE BOXES, AND OAK WARDROBES, ARE PRETTY MUCH OVER, AND WE DON'T HAVE THE SPACE IN OUR SHOP, TO ACCOMMODATE LARGE FURNISHINGS ANYWAY. HONESTLY, THE BACK AND KNEES ARE SHOWING THE EXCESSES OF THE BUSINESS. LAST SUMMER I BOUGHT A HUGE BRASS BELL FROM A CHURCH, AT AN ESTATE SALE, AND WE CARRIED THAT FOOL THING TO THE VAN, THE STORE, AND THEN TO "THE BACK" OF THE STORE, BECAUSE ALL OUR TROLLEYS WERE EITHER LOANED OUT, OR HIDDEN SOMEWHERE BEHIND FULL BOXES OF SOMETHING OR OTHER.
THOSE VOLUNTEERS, WHICH IS USUALLY THE CASE, WHO ARE SHOPPING FOR VARIOUS HISTORICAL SOCIETIES, AND MUSEUMS, IN OUR PROVINCE, HAVE A MUCH GENTLER EXISTENCE IN THEIR PURSUIT OF HEIRLOOM ANTIQUES. THEY DON'T HAVE THE DAILY WORK-OUT WE DO, AND IT'S MORE THE CASE OF EXECUTIVE, CASUAL HUNTING AND GATHERING, WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S MONEY TO SPEND. IF I WAS UP AGAINST SOMEONE LIKE HUGH MACMILLAN, ONE OF CANADA'S WELL KNOWN FREE LANCE ARCHIVISTS, IT WOULD BE LIKE A JUNIOR HOCKEY TEAM FROM MUSKOKA, TAKING ON THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS. I WOULD EXPECT TO LOSE. WHEN HUGH TURNED BACK TO PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, AFTER LEAVING THE PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES, IT STILL WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN A FAIR MATCH, BETWEEN HIM AND I. NOW IF I WAS TO SUGGEST HUGH MACMILLAN VERSUS DAVE BROWN, ON AN ITEM BY ITEM PLAYOFF, OF ACQUIRED EPHEMERA, OVER SAY, A ONE MONTH TIME FRAME, IT SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN A BATTLE OF THE TITANS. I'M REALLY NOT CONFIDENT WHO WOULD HAVE WON, BUT THERE WOULD BE NO HOLD'S BARRED THAT'S FOR SURE. IT WOULD HAVE MADE FOR AN EXCITING PLAY BY PLAY, BECAUSE BOTH THESE HISTORIANS HAD A WAY WITH FOLKS, THAT ALLOWED THEM ENTRY INTO PLACES MOST OF US COLLECTOR / DEALERS CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT.
THERE REALLY ISN'T ANY MATCH BETWEEN THOSE WHO REPRESENT HISTORICAL SOCIETIES AND MUSEUMS, AND THOSE WHO HUNT AND GATHER FOR THE GAIN OF THEIR PRIVATE ENTERPRISES. EXCEPT OF COURSE, IN THE CASE OF HUGH MACMILLAN, BUT THEY BROKE THE MOULD AFTER CREATING HIM. HE COULD HAVE BATTLED ANY ANTIQUE DEALER ON EARTH, AND MADE MANY GAINS FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, REPRESENTING THE PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES……AND NATIONAL ARCHIVES, MOST LIKELY SECURING SOME NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT DOCUMENTS OR ARTIFACTS. IT COMES DOWN TO THIS. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT PLAYING NICE IN A SANDBOX. SHARING JUST DOESN'T ENTER IN TO THE MIX. IT DOESN'T MEAN ANTIQUE DEALERS AND COLLECTORS WON'T SHARE, OR DONATE PIECES TO MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES, BUT ALWAYS ON THEIR TERMS. IF A MUSEUM IS TRYING TO OUTBID PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AT AUCTIONS, I IMAGINE THE SUCCESS RATE IS PRETTY LOW. MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES ARE GENERALLY UNDER-FUNDED WHEN IT COMES TO ACQUISITION. BUT REMEMBER, THERE HAVE BEEN CASES SUCH AS THE GENTLEMAN WHO PURCHASED A RARE WORLD WAR I MEDAL, AT AUCTION I BELIEVE, AND ALTHOUGH PAYING WELL OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, DONATED THE HEIRLOOM BACK TO CANADA FOR EXHIBIT. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED SITUATION, AND IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HISTORICAL INTERESTS CAN WORK TOGETHER SUCCESSFULLY AND PROFITABLY. A TAX RECEIPT IS A GOOD STARTING POINT.
THE COLLECTOR WHO THOUGHT I SHOULD DONATE EVERYTHING TO A MUSEUM
I had a customer, quite a few years back, who said the same thing every time he came into my shop. He'd look over the regional historical documents and books that I had acquired, and a few nice vintage paintings of Muskoka, and pick out what he wanted to buy. Money never seemed to be much of an issue, and he was a very astute buyer. Over five or so years, we had sold him hundreds of Muskoka related collectibles, and arguably, he had an impressive and valuable collection. I understand he did donate some pieces to a local museum. When he'd finish the transaction, he would chat for a few moments about Muskoka collectibles, and what I had been able to collect, since we had seen him last, and it never failed, that he would all of a sudden, blurt out, about how awful it was that dealers were exploiting these museum-quality articles…..instead of donating them to the appropriate museums (open in our region of Ontario). Suzanne and I would just stare back at him, and gape, wondering time and again, how the guy could buy all this stuff, and then basically call us the scourge of the earth, for selling off the district history for a quick profit. I'd look him in the eyes, trying to find out whether it was an intentional dart to my heart, or if he was referencing someone else……some other dealer. But how could that be? Usually it was just him and I in the shop at the time; Suzanne may have been there four or five times out of fifty or so visits. Honestly, I didn't know how to respond, so I just did what he expected me to……jiggled the money he gave me into my cash box, and felt fulfilled that my hunting and gathering had been profitable that week. He would head up the stairs mumbling happily, I suppose, and I'd make a phone call to my other Muskoka collectors, to let them know I had something for them. You've probably gathered, that he got first crack at the collectibles. He was our best customer, and he deserved the honor. But this was going to change. It's the number one reason you don't piss into the lakeland wind.
Just before we planned to close the shop, as I had been offered another job, as a public relations director for the newly established Crozier Foundation for Children, the chap came into the store, and once again, I had a few items for him to look at for his collection. Well sir, he did the exact same thing. "It's such a terrible shame, dealers profit from what should be displayed by a museum." So I dug deep. Geez, I dug right into my socks, to find the words to lambaste this bombastic turd. "You know, for years now, you've made me feel bad for earning a living," I scolded. "You've implied that I have been ripping off the citizens of our region, by profiting from these Muskoka pieces, that you claim should remain in the district to benefit the public. Yet you're the one buying the material from me….so, please tell me, how much of it is being donated back to a museum?" I caught the guy flat footed. He started a stutter, and never really got past the fifth "but" in a row, before I hit him again, with the question, "How would you have amassed such an impressive collection of Muskoka antiques, books and art, that you brag about to other collectors, if we hadn't helped you…..by offering items we were able to find, working on your behalf?" He liked to brag about what he possessed, and we always had one of his "still wanted" lists posted behind the counter. He couldn't answer. He was being hypocritical, but believing he could get away with it…..you know, the slap in the face, without consequence. That was the last time I offered him any of our choice pieces, and if he showed up again in my shop, I'm sure he'd remember our last conversation which was pretty one-sided.
Collectors and antique dealers get museum-quality items frequently. But we're free enterprise, and have every right, to pursue the hunt and gather and buy and sell, without being imposed upon to donate what we have acquired. Suzanne and I have always co-operated with heritage groups, and museums, when humanly and economically possible. We have been known to donate to museums, and archives, and as historians ourselves, Suzanne and I know the importance of preserving important records. There is a thin dividing line, in their eyes however, and I'm sure if we invited society reps in for a free shop around our premises, they'd be able to find lots to cart off. This is because we are good at finding things of historical significance. It's our job. Nothing special. We've just educated ourselves about what is desirable and in demand, and this changes constantly. We very seldom ever get a museum or archives representative, or curator, past our shop threshold, because honestly, they know we're the shark in the tank. We've got comebacks for everything they might argue about, "us having and them wanting," so most of the time, they simply decide to forego the interaction, which seldom works out in their favor. I think a book could be written about the stand-offs between the antique community and historical societies (archives and museums included), but I'm not going to volunteer to write one. Truthfully, there are many thousands of antique dealers and private collectors, who go above and beyond to share their big finds, and significant community antiquities. We're not insensitive to the interests of the public…..and in reality, the public keeps us in business or otherwise…..not. So we don't make a habit of ignoring their wants and needs. Sometimes a big enough "want" will influence us to co-operate on the exchange of certain heirloom pieces……although I can't be specific about this at present. There have been citizen liaison efforts, to "purchase pieces for the purpose of donation," which works for everybody. When they tell us what they are planning, it's very likely we can be persuaded to offer a discount, to partner in the project. This is always the best kind of transaction, for us, because it takes begging and lobbying out of the negotiations.
Like I've noted many times in past blogs…….antique dealers and collectors are all hobby historians…….and have great respect for the "past" in the "present." But it's still tough to make a buck when all our costs are tallied. Buying estates and competing at auctions isn't cheap. We'd like to satisfy everyone……and wouldn't that be nice. It's just not going to happen. So we satisfy ourselves with a reasonable balance. Still, we've often had to go on, with our businesses, being called bullies and profiteers, and even buccaneers, and while it hurts a little…..so does having a failed business.
Bless you for visiting this little blog site on this beautiful winter day here in South Muskoka. The Gravenhurst Winter Carnival is coming up this weekend, and our boys, Andrew and Robert are part of the opening ceremonies at the Gravenhurst Opera House. To get in the mood, you can search "Skokie - Pressure Point," on You Tube to see the promotional video. See you again soon. Maybe at the Carnival. Of course if you're one of my readers in Poland or Alaska, this may be asking a lot.
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