An exploration into the world’s most cherished and creatively curated collections.
Introduction
Collections large and small have captivated audiences for centuries. From postage stamps and sea shells to fine art and vintage cars, dedicated collectors have an eye for seeking out and celebrating the rare and remarkable. When curated with care and artistry, collections take on a life of their own, presenting unique opportunities to study history, culture, and the natural world.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the world’s most beloved collections, thoughtfully assembled and displayed for the public’s enjoyment. From the personal obsessions of famous figures to community-driven museums, these collections offer windows into new passions and perspectives.
The PEZ Dispenser Collection
Perhaps an unlikely collectible, PEZ dispensers have nevertheless amassed legions of devoted fans. Boasting over 3,000 unique dispenser heads since first debuting in 1927, PEZ dispensers reflect the pop culture trends of their time. Sci-fi inspired PEZ, Disney princess PEZ, even Hello Kitty PEZ make appearances.
At the PEZ visitor center in Orange, Connecticut, guests are greeted by the world’s largest public display of PEZ dispensers. With over 6,500 dispensers on view, the vast array of eclectic plastic heads provides a fascinating timeline of shifting fads and iconic characters. For fans, a visit promises rare, nostalgic sights difficult to find elsewhere.
The Stradivarius String Collection
Some of history’s most celebrated musical instruments reside together at the Library of Congress. Their exquisite wooden craftsmanship and unparalleled acoustic qualities make Stradivarius string instruments widely coveted.
This prestigious collection contains over 100 violins and other string instruments constructed in the shops of acclaimed Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari. Each instrument offers insights into Stradivari’s pioneering techniques which modern makers still seek to recreate. Concerts performed using the Stradivarius collection allow guests an exceptionally moving sensory encounter with these masterworks.
The Vintage Poster Collection
Long before digital design, decorative lithographic posters served as popular advertising tools. Today, these vintage posters offer a visual portal into the past.
The Merrill C. Berman collection stands as one of the world’s finest troves of historic posters. Berman’s exacting 50 year pursuit has yielded over 90,000 posters promoting travel destinations, cultural events, consumer products and more. Spanning the globe from the late 1800s onward, the diverse designs reflect artistic trends and cultural spirit unique to their originating time and place.
Carefully curated selections from Berman’s collection have toured globally in exhibitions. For graphic design lovers, the display provokes inspiration at the collision of commerce and creativity.
The PEARL Camera Collection
Cameras chart the history of photographic technology and its influence on culture. Canada’s PEARL camera museum chronicles this evolution through a remarkable array of over 4500 cameras and accessories.
The PEARL collection spans cameras from the early days of photography – such as 19th century wood field cameras – through modern digital models. Groupings by manufacturer and format showcase milestones in camera capabilities like instant Polaroid shots and early color film. Unexpected rarities, prototypes and massive panoramic cameras also make appearances.
For photography enthusiasts, a visit to PEARL reveals an enormous diversity of equipment that shaped our relationship with images. Even for casual visitors, it invites us to see the camera anew.
The Mikimoto Pearl Museum
Unlike the natural objects of most collections, pearls are a cultivated treasure requiring human artistry. Japan’s Mikimoto Pearl Island provides a one-of-a-kind glimpse into this creation process alongside dazzling pearl exhibits.
Mikimoto Kōkichi pioneered the modern cultured pearl technique in 1893. Today, Mikimoto Pearl Island continues to produce exquisite pearls while educating visitors about their origins. After learning how oysters incubate pearls, guests can view vaults glittering with millions of dollars worth of pearls on display.
The museum’s centerpiece? A replica of the gorgeous, one-of-a-kind $1.4 million Mikimoto Pearl Crown. Formed from 120 South Sea cultured pearls, this regal headpiece represents the pinnacle of pearl craft.
Conclusion
Collections large and small offer fascinating portals into the objects and stories valued across cultures. Whereas individual pieces might easily disappear into obscurity, collected and thoughtfully displayed items amplify their meaning. We find inspiration in these enthusiasts whose passion for seeking out rarities has preserved remarkable artifacts. What beloved collections have you encountered that left you inspired?
Frequently Asked Questions About Beloved Collections
What makes a collection truly beloved?
A few key factors create a beloved collection. It captures widespread public fascination through unique, high quality artifacts. It traces meaningful cultural history or progress. And it is curated and displayed with great care to enhance the items’ educational and aesthetic impact.
What unexpected items have people collected?
Some quirkier beloved collections include lunchboxes, rubber ducks, airline barf bags, fast food toys, nail polish and even potato chips shaped like famous people’s faces. Eccentric collectors revel in compiling exhaustive sets of items most would view as mundane.
How have digital collections changed collecting?
While analog collecting still thrives, digital collections around themes like NFTs, video game achievements and social media status icons form a new frontier. They shape different values around digital scarcity, community and expression. Hybrid collections merging physical and digital will likely grow.
Why display collections publicly?
Public collections serve many aims. They provide educational insights into technology, nature and society. They preserve meaningful artifacts for future generations. Display incentivizes collectors to curate mindfully. And crucially, it allows the public to participate, inspiring new collectors and interests.
Do collections still matter in the digital age?
Absolutely. While digital access expands, physical encounters with artifacts create powerful emotional impacts. Public collections provide rare opportunities to see treasured pieces in meaningful curated contexts. And digital technology enables new hybrid collection approaches that connect physical and online.
