For Those Of You Who Collect, Or Have Collected

[RDPipes]

Thought I'd bring up a subject that has plagued me and maybe others for a long time, that and to get off the beaten track of "What are you smoking" etc, etc.
I've got a friend, yes you don't have to be surprised about that, anyway as I was saying this friend has been collecting most of his life since about the age of 15. Now his collections as time went on got larger and larger and at some point he always sold them off for one reason or another. But, even before that sometimes he'd walk in and see his collection and think to himself, gees what a sad collection of low grade garbage and walk out feeling he's collected all in vein. Maybe in the next day or two he views it again and has a completely different outlook on it, Hey, these aint bad, in fact I have a lot here that I would be hard pressed to replace, there's really nothing here I don't like.....well, maybe one or two but, that's just normal after collecting so many for so long. His collections have always started out on the lower ends and as time went by he always thins out the lower grade pieces for higher grades. But, again he'll walk in see them and think, gees what junk. When do you come to the point it's not junk, is there one? Granted tastes change while collecting due to the more knowledge accumulated of the items collected, hence the thinning out and upgrading. And the dollar amount no matter how much of a deal you look for always it always rises. Is it the limits of the pocket book that distress him being it limits him to how high a grade or even how nice a piece in his eyes can go? Or is it just a mood he get's into, the weather or problems at home maybe effecting his judgement, or is it a instant of clarity/sanity he ignores.  
Could it be that he's just never satisfied because he's looking to replace something missing in his life?
Whoa! Getting into a place we dare to walk now. Anyway, what I'm getting at is his collections have always given him joy at first and then after awhile the joy comes and goes like the sun setting and rising. Do you know of someone like this, maybe even experienced it yourself.

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to real people alive or dead or actual facts is completely coincidental.
Yes they are, so you can forget what your thinking. :suspect:

 

[MisterE]

I think a big part of collecting is being able to share it with people who appreciate what it is. Perhaps whatever joy he finds in collecting isn't enough to sustain his interest on its own?

For me, the things I end up holding on to are those that mean something to me. My "collections" are more about the memories associated with them, not the object itself. That might be what separates a collection from an "accumulation of related and rare items". Accumulations with no associations other than it's uniqueness don't really hold my attention for long, and perhaps is the same for your friend.

You might remember Dock from a few years back on the board here. He was a serious collector of pipes and everything tobacco related. Very high end stuff. I remember him stating on various occasions that he wasn't emotionally attached to any of the items in his collection, which struck me as odd. Then one day, out of the blue, he announced he was getting out of pipes and sold almost his entire collection. It was time to move on, he said, in spite of everyone's caution to not be so hasty. Collecting is in his nature, so I imagine the interest got transferred to something else, then another, and another.

 

[DireWolf]

 
Could it be that he's just never satisfied because he's looking to replace something missing in his life?

I think it's a very real possibility.

 

[Richard Burley]

...or is it a instant of clarity/sanity he ignores.

Probably this. Some people are virtuosi at ignoring instances of clarity, myself included. Seriously, I agree with Mr. E, above. At what point does collecting become hoarding? There's quite a bit written about hoarding, and it ain't pretty. Better than being a serial killer though, or a contemporary Democrat. A serious pipe smoker needs a half dozen pipes, in my estimation. I have about ten times that amount, so I guess I'm a collector. But I know why I retain each one, and the "grade" apparently has no meaning to me. I have a few good pieces, but my "collection" is pretty bland. But no self-doubt here, really--even though PAD is a bit of a manageable annoyance. Hope your collector "friend" can arrest his descent into madness and be happy.

 

[Dutch]

Ron, I have always thought my pipe collection was really cool, but there were times that I was disappointed in the thought of the resale value of my pipes individually.

However, my pipe collection overall has a lot of variety, which makes it interesting to share with other pipe collectors/smokers, especially someone who is just getting into the hobby.

I think that the real value in a pipe collection is in sharing it with others who have a fascination or interest. When you consider resale value, that will be a factor once the time comes that you can no longer enjoy your collection as a whole, which is kinda a bummer to ponder.

I suppose I feel that way, because I have a hard time imagining selling any of my pipes.

I believe one aspect that has really solidified my interest in pipes, are the vintage books I have read and collected on pipes and pipe smoking, as well as recently authored books in the same genre.

I realize that pipes don't fascinate the majority of people, but I've always been kinda different in my interests than most folks. The older I get, the more I appreciate that quality in myself.

Just out of curiosity, this friend of your's, does he keep his webcam covered with electrical tape like the rest of us?

 

[Brewdude]

Ron, I have always thought my pipe collection was really cool, but there were times that I was disappointed in the thought of the resale value of my pipes individually.

However, my pipe collection overall has a lot of variety, which makes it interesting to share with other pipe collectors/smokers, especially someone who is just getting into the hobby.

I think that the real value in a pipe collection is in sharing it with others who have a fascination or interest. When you consider resale value, that will be a factor once the time comes that you can no longer enjoy your collection as a whole, which is kinda a bummer to ponder.

I suppose I feel that way, because I have a hard time imagining selling any of my pipes.

I believe one aspect that has really solidified my interest in pipes, are the vintage books I have read and collected on pipes and pipe smoking, as well as recently authored books in the same genre.

I realize that pipes don't fascinate the majority of people, but I've always been kinda different in my interests than most folks. The older I get, the more I appreciate that quality in myself.

Just out of curiosity, this friend of your's, does he keep his webcam covered with electrical tape like the rest of us?

Just what I was thinking Dutch!


:lol!: :mrgreen: :joker:



Cheers,

RR

 

[RDPipes]

You all make a very good point and could very well be right, I'll try and relate this to him.

Just out of curiosity, this friend of your's, does he keep his webcam covered with electrical tape like the rest of us?

Dutch, funny you should ask No, he's one of those guy's that dances around buck neckad in front of it all the time, very strange. :scratch:

 

[juanmedusa]

I read a book by a compulsive gambler once and in it he really made some interesting points to me. He said his gambling didn't have as much to do with winning or losing or even money in a way. Of course he won and lost and did both with money but for him it was all about the "action". For him gambling wasn't a way to get some great wealth or even a dream about that. He was simply addicted to the "action". If you gave him $100,000,000.00 he would still seek out action. Perhaps if you gave your friend 500 of the most interesting, valuable, collectible pipes he too would need that action. He's compelled to look for the next thing, the better things, the different things. It's just an insatiable drive. It's not the pipes, it's getting the pipes, trading the pipes, selling the pipes, and getting the pipes. The "action".

 

[RDPipes]

I read a book by a compulsive gambler once and in it he really made some interesting points to me. He said his gambling didn't have as much to do with winning or losing or even money in a way. Of course he won and lost and did both with money but for him it was all about the "action". For him gambling wasn't a way to get some great wealth or even a dream about that. He was simply addicted to the "action". If you gave him $100,000,000.00 he would still seek out action. Perhaps if you gave your friend 500 of the most interesting, valuable, collectible pipes he too would need that action. He's compelled to look for the next thing, the better things, the different things. It's just an insatiable drive. It's not the pipes, it's getting the pipes, trading the pipes, selling the pipes, and getting the pipes. The "action".

I think you may be on to something there sir. It seems to be an insatiable thirst for me him that can't be quench by any amount. But, there still lies his appetite for what pleases his eye the most.
Although being a man I reckon it's the same being it women or items, they must be pleasing to the eye.

 

[Stick]

I'm with Mr E. Although a meager collection compared to most, all my pipes have a story attached so they have profound sentimental value to me. As such, if i ever lost interest, i still couldn't part with them. Similar to the comments above, on the rare occasions i get the chance to do so, i love to share a smoke with others too.

Hope your friend :suspect: works it out Ron...

 

[RDPipes]

I'm with Mr E. Although a meager collection compared to most, all my pipes have a story attached so they have profound sentimental value to me. As such, if i ever lost interest, i still couldn't part with them. Similar to the comments above, on the rare occasions i get the chance to do so, i love to share a smoke with others too.

Hope your friend :suspect:  works it out Ron...

Hey, ya know and not to say your wrong in your thinking Stick but,  he or I could have a story attached to each and every pipe he or I have purchased. Like the First pipe I or he ever bought or the my 300th pipe he or I ever bought. There's some sentimental attachment there, how many can say "That there's the 300th pipe I ever bought", I remember it well. It was a Saturday and the sun was shining bright and warming my face, the smell in the air was that of fresh mowed hay, ah yes, that was a very good day.

 

[huffelpuff]

I think John may have hit the nail on the head so to speak. Many "collectors" it is all about the search. A couple of folks I know got very discouraged when the Internet got really big. Why? It took away from the search. It was no longer scouring through bins and buckets in out of the way shops or estate sales. It's now just a search function and a click away. Not sure there's any cure for that.

Jim

 

[DireWolf]

The collecting is not the issue, but the "unsatisfied", part of it.

At least in the way I am reading it.

No offense intended to your friend.

I had a friend that once said something to the effect of - people often have holes or voids within them that we often try to fill with external stuff. And it never works.

 

[Richard Burley]

I read a book by a compulsive gambler once and in it he really made some interesting points to me. He said his gambling didn't have as much to do with winning or losing or even money in a way. Of course he won and lost and did both with money but for him it was all about the "action". For him gambling wasn't a way to get some great wealth or even a dream about that. He was simply addicted to the "action". If you gave him $100,000,000.00 he would still seek out action. Perhaps if you gave your friend 500 of the most interesting, valuable, collectible pipes he too would need that action. He's compelled to look for the next thing, the better things, the different things. It's just an insatiable drive. It's not the pipes, it's getting the pipes, trading the pipes, selling the pipes, and getting the pipes. The "action".

Good point. I've heard the same thing from very wealthy men (re money). And from notorious skirt chasers (re women). Interesting stuff, indeed. But then, why is the drive insatiable? Does the "action" give one the illusion of purpose? I need to know, in my quest for the perfect straight-grain straight classic English billiard between 5.51 inches and 6.250. I mean, I don't want to finally find it and discover I'm a psycho.

 

[RDPipes]

Okay, now you guys are just depressing me, time to have a bowl full and dream of better things.

 

[Brewdude]

Ron, for me it's the journey and not the goal.

The goal will never be obtainable, but I enjoy the journey.

FWIW!

:sunny:


Cheers,

RR

 

[RDPipes]

Ron, for me it's the journey and not the goal.

The goal will never be obtainable, but I enjoy the journey.

FWIW!

:sunny:


Cheers,

RR

I agree sir, there's no way in hell I'll ever have all the pipes that my eye yearns for but, it's fun to see how close I get.

 

[Ocelot55]

Good point. I've heard the same thing from very wealthy men (re money). And from notorious skirt chasers (re women). Interesting stuff, indeed. But then, why is the drive insatiable? Does the "action" give one the illusion of purpose? I need to know, in my quest for the perfect straight-grain straight classic English billiard between 5.51 inches and 6.250. I mean, I don't want to finally find it and discover I'm a psycho.

I've found your pipe. And for a bargain price too! :twisted:

https://www.novelli.it/en/pipes/Dunhill%20White%20Spot--DR--drg01_9581-pipe.aspx

On second inspection, it's actually a little too short. Good thing, I didn't want you to take out that second mortgage.

 

[Richard Burley]

I've found your pipe. And for a bargain price too! :twisted:

https://www.novelli.it/en/pipes/Dunhill%20White%20Spot--DR--drg01_9581-pipe.aspx

On second inspection, it's actually a little too short. Good thing, I didn't want you to take out that second mortgage.

Slightly out of my comfort zone, by multiples. Yeah, I can't seem to get used to a pipe less than 5.5". Big hands or something. Don't worry, Jesse-- I'll never forget the one you made for Yak. That was awesome to a billiardophile such as myself. Perhaps one day, when the mood strikes and the purse is willing. Meanwhile, back to the thread, such as it is...

:face:

 

[Ocelot55]

Slightly out of my comfort zone, by multiples. Yeah, I can't seem to get used to a pipe less than 5.5". Big hands or something. Don't worry, Jesse-- I'll never forget the one you made for Yak. That was awesome to a billiardophile such as myself. Perhaps one day, when the mood strikes and the purse is willing. Meanwhile, back to the thread, such as it is...
:face:

Thanks. I really appreciate that.


To Ron, or erhm, I mean "Ron's friend":

I never really considered myself a collector, but one day I looked up and had 150 pipes. My tastes have certainly changed and I have a lot of lust for the ultra high grades, but as I've handled more and more pipes over at S Haven I've realized what I really gravitate toward is shape and characteristics that I think constitute a "good smoker."

Ultimately, for me collecting is fun, and as BD mentioned, it's the journey, not the destination. I want to be a walking Encyclopedia of pipe knowledge so I can share with others. As I age, I find that people are what really matter, and making meaningful connections to others, helping, and looking out for another person's well being is the ultimate reward. Pipe making and pipe collecting are ways I can start those connections with those I currently surround myself with.