Program

Displaying Your Collection

It is somewhat difficult to discuss the display of your collection given the vast array of collectibles, all with distinct characteristics. Displaying Majolica pottery or teddy bears is quite different than a display of newspaper headlines or lemon squeezers. We will attempt to give both general and specific pointers to cover all of these areas.

Many collectible areas are fairly easy because the items are relatively the same size or dimension, in general terms. Sports and non-sports cards, stamps and first day covers, checks, calling cards, coins, thimbles, keys, fountain pens, marbles, license plates, sheet music, insulators and door knobs all represent some of these collecting areas. But even collectibles like toothpick holders, napkin rings or ink wells, which may appear to be basically the same size, can actually take on many different sizes and dimensions. Some collectors may have a single item as their collection - like a vintage automobile or boat.

Displaying your collection is going to take on an entirely different perspective depending upon a variety of factors.

Personal Displays at Home or Office

A collection in your home or office is more or less permanent. True, it may be on `display' for others to see, but more than likely it also serves as a place where you store or "house" your collection. This could mean display cases, wall shelving, file drawers, cupboards or any number of other provisions but providing a dual role of storage and display.

With many types of collections you need to be very alert to the potential problems from the elements. Will the collection be in direct sunlight a portion of the day? Be aware of possible long term damage to your items from humidity or temperature and even certain types of indoor lighting. Is dust a factor for your collection? Collections housed permanently in one location must be carefully monitored for all these things.

Your collection on display at home or office may encompass your entire collection, or just highlights. Either way, give some thought and planning to presentation. Not only will it be more enjoyable to show it off to friends and acquaintances, but you'll probably enjoy it more yourself, too.

If you only have room to show a portion of your collection, needing to keep the rest in storage, you may want to rotate portions of it so over time you can enjoy viewing a greater part of the entire collection.

Public Displays

Displaying your collection in public usually means for a short duration, but presents a whole new set of challenges.

Consider Your Audience

Displaying at your collecting club's convention will probably carry an entirely different dimension than other public displays. Why? Because you are displaying your collection for the benefit of your peers...others who have a strong interest and knowledge base regarding your particular collecting area. Although you will probably only display a portion of your total collection, you are more likely to pull out some of the rarer, more unusual items for a display of this sort.

A general, public display, like at a library or other local public area, will be an entirely different kind of display. Here your audience will basically have little knowledge about your collectible area - and probably not as much genuine interest in it than a collection at your club's convention. Select a variety of items from your collection, those which have an interest for a variety of reasons (of which scarcity and value may not be factors). The general public probably doesn't care if an item is worth $100 or $1,000, or if there are only two or three known examples...or if there are hundreds. They are more interested in being entertained by the curious or the unusual. Signage is an important part of a public display. You need to give some history and background to the collecting area and probably to certain, specific pieces. Be sure to mention your club's name and how to get in contact with them if a viewer may be interested in collecting or joining. (This is also an excellent way to locate new sources of material for your collection as people view what you collect and may have items in which you are interested.)

Building Your Display

Selecting the appropriate items for your display is just the beginning. You need to think about the location where the display is to "housed" in determining backdrops, dimensional displays like the use of risers or turntables, movement, lighting, sound, and signage. Presentation is almost as important as the collection items, themselves. This may sound like a lot of work, but if you're going to commit to doing a display, please take the time to do it right.

In addition to presentation, particularly if your display is going to be on "loan" for several days, a week or a month, check out these factors ahead of time. Will the display be secure? what is the security policy of those to whom you are loaning your exhibit? And, what about insurance? Do they have insurance to adequately cover the replacement cost of your display items, or do they expect you to have them insured...and, if so, does your insurance policy cover the collection being on public display? For many collecting areas, check out whether or not the display area is in direct sunlight at certain times of the day, what lighting will be used in the display area, and is the area temperature controlled? If your collecting area is one that is very sensitive to temperatures, humidity, and light, make sure these areas are fully covered before you commit to doing the display. Don't be afraid to ask questions. And, if you feel uncomfortable with the answers, you may be better off politely declining the exhibit opportunity.

Publicizing Your Display

If your collection is on public display, find out if any publicity is planned. Offer to assist with the publicity. If a release is distributed, make sure you see the copy and approve it before distribution. We suggest in virtually all situations that you not include your home address in the exhibit or the publicity. This is done simply for security reasons. You don't want everyone to know where you live or where the collection is usually located when not on display.

Illustrated Talks

Many collectors may get asked on occasion to "come tell us about your collection." Usually, these people aren't asking for a speech. They really want entertained. They want an illustrated talk...more or less a "show and tell." An illustrated talk is really one form of displaying your collection.

Again, consider your audience. A presentation to a group of second graders is going to be far different than to a Kiwanis Club (we hope).

Thoroughly quiz the person making the request. How much time do you have? Is it after a business meeting or meal event? How interested is the audience in your collection? Do they want a Q&A session? What are the room arrangements? Be prepared! Choose your items you plan to take very wisely.

There are gimmicks that can be used depending upon the group. If it is a service club like Rotary or Lions, the program chairman will probably ask you for some information about yourself and your collecting area to put out in the membership newsletter ahead of time. Tell them it would be OK to have the people attending bring along an item or two they may have related to your collecting area if they would like to learn more about it or perhaps have it appraised. If this is offered, have a table near where you will be located, probably in the front of the room, where people can place their items ahead of time. Allow a few minutes at the close of your presentation to briefly pick up each piece and make a couple of comments about it. This usually doesn't take very long but can add a good "finish" to your presentation.

Collector/Dealers

Today many collectors are also dealers. This is sometimes the only way they can `afford' their collection - buying items, paying for going to conventions or shows. Its a good way to sell off duplicates, or items from your collection when you upgrade a particular piece.

If you set up a booth or table at a club convention or show, you should also consider the display factor. Here, we mean presentation, making your items look the most attractive to people coming by your booth or table (or room if we're talking about `room-hopping').

Choosing the Right Display Equipment

The most frequently asked question at the National Association of Collectors is about appraisals - what is the value of a particular item? The next most frequently asked question is on displaying, and particularly, "where can I buy display cases, plastic sleeves..." and all other kinds of display lines.

We'll be covering all kinds of display suggestions as this program area evolves.

Display Tips

Watch for a lot of display ideas and suggestions in this area.