The Satisfaction of Collecting
Collecting may be a compulsion, but sharing the hobby with others brings its own satisfaction.
The recently published book Madman’s Guide to Stamp Collecting by Robert Irwin may appear to have nothing to do with coin collecting, but in fact it addresses multiple collecting hobbies without intending to do so. A Wall Street Journal critique of the book states that it is a “hodgepodge of anecdotes, trivia and theories…more about the compulsion to collect in all its facets.”
The author quotes Sigmund Freud’s awkward and flawed theoretical explanation of why we collect. Perhaps the author should have interviewed Q. David Bowers instead! Irwin died two years ago. None of what has been written about him suggests he collected anything. There may be readers who are closet collectors, enjoying their own sequestered museum; however, considering the number of local and regional clubs and coin shows, as well as the annual American Numismatic Association events, there are plenty of opportunities for the many extroverts in this hobby to enjoy collecting.
Perhaps Irwin picked on stamp collectors, but there are many other collector hobbies, and each of these hobbies has its own social networks. If there is anything different between coin and stamp collecting, it is likely that stamp collecting appears to be on the decline. There were receptions and cocktail parties at the recent ANA convention in Pittsburgh, all open to show attendees. Speakers at these events suggested the interest in new coin issues may be shifting the focus of collectors and dealers. Label this a compulsion if you like, but there is a lot of satisfaction when you collect, then share that satisfaction with others of like interest.
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