UBB.threads Forums General Interest Community Center Advanced Collector Definition

I hear references to someone being an Advanced Collector. Is there a generally accepted definition or characteristics attributable to an AC?
Thanks and Cheers!

Well... in the old Der Gauleiter magazine, popular in pre-internet times, they once printed these somewhat cynical definitions:

"Prominent Collector" = gullible sucker with money!

"Collector" = average rube of modest means!

"Expert" = someone who likes your stuff!

Personally, I would like to think that an advanced collector is someone who has been around the hobby for a long time, is still passionate about his particular area of expertise, and is willing to share. Just about sums up most forum members, imho.

Barry:

Advanced Collector could also be 'a gullible sucker with lots of money who has bought a lot of our items'?

John

I think that an advanced collector would simply be someone that has first and foremost, a vast knolwedge on the subject. Being simply wealthy and buying every dagger that exist at the Max, just like Walmart, wouldn't make you an advanced collector. Second, you need to have in your collection those rare top 5% blades, such as Himmler SS, Rohm SA/SS, Damascus Luft/Navy/Army and special Engraved blades, the uncommon stuff.
Almost forgot to say, being a "type" collector is just that, but not an advanced collector.

Very useful Gents. Thank you.
Cheers

Pat

I totally disagree with your definition of an advanced collector, what difference does it make whether you have a Himmler a SA/SS Rohm or you have decided to collect one type, you can be an advanced collector of a type, what constitutes advanced, having more money than another collector because that is what it comes down to if you want to collect daggers in excess of $20K or more in some cases which is what you are saying. You are belittling very serious collectors who have decided to collect a type and have put 1000's of hours into it. I find that attitude somewhat snobbish and derogatory.

Gary

I have to agree with Gary. Many collectors will never be able to buy a dagger that costs 20k or more. Let alone owning more then one of these high-priced daggers. That doesn't mean they will never become advanced collectors or already are advanced collectors. I also think there are many advanced collectors amongst the socalled type collectors. It's not about money, it's about knowledge IMO.

Danny

Relax Gary and don'y get all excited here, you know me well enought to know that I'm not the person you are refering to, look behind your shoulder instead, they're just standing behind you. Kidding aside, if having a 100 SA's in your collection is considered an advanced collector, then so be it, I have absolutely no problem with that.
I haven't got any SS Honor dagger, Degen or SS Rohm for that matter and do not consider myself an advanced collector, I was just merely saying what I felt was considered an Advanced collector, like the Johnson, Witmann and so forth.

Here's a definition from the Webster dictionnary.

" An advanced collector is someone who is very knowledgeable and seeks rare variations often at the expense of condition. So they are less concerned with the aesthetics and condition than they are with its rarity. "

That pretty much where I took my definition from. Perhaps, I should have mentioned that I had taken the definition from the dictionnary. Will give my sources nxt time I write something.

Perhaps Webster is wrong and someone should send them a note to explain to them the new definition of an advanced collector.

I like Barry's post concerning the Der Gauleiter definitions...I for one admit to having been a 'prominent collector' on one or two occasions in the past

I think Pat's definition is as valid as several others would be. Also, a person could be a specialist and own 100 of various blades. Assuming he had studied the manufacturers and methods, he would certainly be an advanced collector. So there are several definitions that would be valid.

But really Gary, "I find that attitude somewhat snobbish and derogatory". This old class warfare stuff gets old. I do not own a Himmler or other exotic German daggers or swords but I did not take any offence at Pat's definition. But again, I do not resent other peoples successes.