Spring Break
Collecting is about memories, say noted antiques guru
Nellie D. Gordon
Issue date: 12/6/04 Section: News
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Harry Rinker, host of HGTV's "Collector Inspector," spoke on "Understanding the Antiques and Collectibles Market in the 21st Century" on Nov. 6-7 at the Gates Center on the Main Campus.
Rinker, a Hellertown native, gave an informative lecture spiced with some profanity, but used in a humorous manner, especially when he spoke about some of his odd collections such as rectal examiners that he would put out for display at dinner parties.
Pennsylvania Germans have a reputation for being "savers,' Rinker said, but he believes that there is a DNA "collector" gene. He calls himself a "dedicated collector."
"Collecting is a part of life" and an addiction, Rinker said. He said that his home in Emmaus is a former elementary school with 14,000 square feet, including high ceiling room for piling up boxes.
"Collecting is about memories," Rinker said. People can recollect their fondest childhood memories from age 6 to 14, he said.
He defined collecting as having five categories: Antiques, collectibles, desirables, country, and recyclables.
He described antiques as anything made before 1945. Rinker said that World War II brought a technological breakthrough and lifestyle change as women entered the workforce.
Rinker said that television made a profound change as products could be marketed nationally. Barbie dolls were the first such toys , he said.
He described collectibles as items made in America after 1945, mass-produced, sold for under $250, and collected by individuals between the ages of 40 and 50.
Desirables were made after 1980, flooded the market and then interest died out, Rinker said.
Desirables did not stand the test of time, he said, citing Beanie Babies as an example.