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Author	Topic: How to start collecting
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 04-04-2018 10:52 PM How would you introduce someone to the idea of starting a silver collection today? IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 04-05-2018 11:40 AM Three possible ways might be: 1. Ask them if they have anything made of silver that was handed down to them, then offer to try to help them learn some more about it. The best kind of object might be something they remember using in their childhood such as at Thanksgiving dinners or other holiday events and thus something that helps them recall their childhood. 2. Learn what they already collect or have an interest in such as they collect some kind of animals or have an interest in their place of birth or someplace where they have heritage or whatever, then find a souvenir spoon or a spoon from some pattern that reflects that interest area and give it to them for a birthday present or holiday present or such, with a little write up of the background (age, maker, etc.) of that spoon. 3. If you have a large group of people you are trying to interest - choose something from your collection or buy something that can be a prize in some kind of competition. For example, a class of students might compete for it by writing an essay on the history or silver in colonial America or some such topic that might tie into the purpose of the class. When announcing the prize at the beginning, use that as an opportunity to tell all of them about when and how it was made and pass it around so everyone can hold it for a moment that look closely at it. IP: Logged
chicagosilver Posts: 227 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 04-05-2018 03:46 PM I'd also take them to a museum with good silver, or spend time with them online looking at existing silver collections to see if they can appreciate any styles or periods. And I'd get them some of the dozen or so books highlighting these. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 04-05-2018 07:16 PM Thank you. These are good. Anyone else? IP: Logged
SnoodinOrange Posts: 9 Registered: Apr 2018	posted 04-05-2018 07:46 PM Just speaking from what drew me in as a newer collector, I would point out the quality craftsmanship and "works of art" aspect. Also the fact that they hold value as a precious metal, they are an investment. And as many makers and patterns are no longer in existence, it makes it so much more interesting for your table or for display than cookie cutter "big box" brands that anybody can get and that are made in bulk. Most people would enjoy having unique things.... Also, to me it almost seems like sterling "glows." The way it reflects the light and the way the designs jump out with some age appropriate patina - just so much more eye catching than stainless.... :) IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 04-05-2018 10:40 PM "Just imagine! This spoon is over 200 years old. The man who made it served a 7 year apprenticeship to learn how. George Washington was still alive when it was made. And you can use it to eat your yogurt." IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 04-05-2018 10:42 PM Thanks to both of you & SnoodinOrange welcome to the SSF. Anyone else remember how they started? IP: Logged
asheland Posts: 935 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-06-2018 10:32 AM I usually get into great detail about how an item was made. That's one of the things that interest me about silver. A lot of work goes into some of these pieces! IP: Logged
chicagosilver Posts: 227 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 04-06-2018 11:18 AM Silver has attributes that make it special. I got started when someone put a salad set in my hands. The weight, balance, density, luster, planishing marks, etc. instantly made me a fan. I'd recommend having someone new actually heft and admire pieces in person. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 04-06-2018 11:58 AM There was the time we had some fiends over to see some of the cheese scoops in our collection. About a dozen were on the table. Our guests politely looked at the table, picked up 2 or 3 cheese scoops and told us what a wonderful collection. We then moved on to having lunch. During lunch the conversation came around to "what are you going to do with all those cheese scoops?". We explained we were photographing each piece for our catalog (this was before the book). Being good friends they inquired "what catalog" whereupon we showed them. The close up images and pattern details highlighted in the catalog caught their attention. They started to notice the bugs, flowers, faces, etc. We pointed out that the pieces in the photographs were the same as laid upon the table and this was when their genuine interest began. They returned to the table and started to truly inspect and marvel at each cheese scoop. IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 04-06-2018 01:46 PM Have them over for lunch or dinner and set everyone's place setting such that each utensil is of a different pattern. If they do not immediately ask about the silver, you can bring their attention to it and make it a topic of conversation where you can introduce them to the craftsmanship and beauty of the old silver and perhaps a bit of its history. IP: Logged

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