Birds of a Feather

The grouping of similar objects can be an exhilarating experience for visual people. In fact, a common denominator of any connoisseurship is the contrasting and comparison of similar objects. As a boy, I collected coins, among many other things. As I built my penny collection, I was constantly looking to improve it by replacing a coin of lesser condition with a better one. My fellow collectors and I graded coins by two key attributes: condition and rarity. Of course, the more rare the coin, the more forgiving you could be as to its condition. For example, just to own a 1909 S-VDB penny in any condition — as long as the date of the coin was legible — made your collection extremely special. With only 484,000 VDB pennies released to the public in 1909, the VDB was the holy grail of the first wave of wheat penny collectors. As for my collection, I never found one, and never knew anyone who owned one.

Today, collecting a group of similar objects, like my penny collection, can be as simple as grouping just the photographs of similar things. I am reminded of the popular poster I have seen of “Doors of Ireland,” where a photographer grouped and contrasted similar front doors. The many shapes and colors were an instant hit in decorator shops. Putting similar objects side-by-side allow you to see the beautiful and often subtle differences.

This week I share the taxonomies of many things, from groupings of actual objects to photographic comparisons, like Wisconsin deer stands. Quirky collections are the most fun. I have a friend who collects fallen cat whiskers from the floor of her home (they have 10 cats). The whiskers are displayed on the windowsill of her kitchen, in a small bottle. The whiskers sit large end down and emerge from the top. Looking like a small shaving brush, its mystery and reason for being collected at all defy the rational. I think it’s great.



A collection of 9 vintage wrenches. Photography © Diana Zlatanovski


A collection of 9 antique metal catchers masks. 


A collection of 20 seashells. Photography © Diana Zlatanovski


An assorted collection of 15 peppers. Photography © Diana Zlatanovski


A collection of 10 custom mounted antique and vintage car and truck metal reflectors measuring 6 1/2" to 11 1/2" on their stands.


A collection of 104 antique wooden spinning tops. All different colors, surfaces and textures.


A photographic collection of scenes from a frosted bedroom window. Photography © Mark Meyer


A collection of late 1800's to early 1900's wire hangers   


A typology of day/night cottages. Photography © Douglas Ljungkvist.


Collection of 5 antique hand-forged steel pitchfork heads measuring 11" to 20".


Collection of old workman's vintage shovel handles in cast iron, steel and wood

     
Photographs of Wisconsin deer stands. Photo © Jason Vaughn


Collection of 9 vintage and antique metal children's tricycle seats in greens, blues, navy, and turquoise.


Collection of 16 globes. Artist: Wendy Gold


Collection of 198 Rocks by © Tabor Robak


Collection of Lego figures by StartTheDay


Collection of 20 split chocolate bars.


Collection of 12 antique cast iron stove grates of various designs measuring 6" to 11" wide.


Collected photographs of 42 yellow chairs.


Collection of 32 winter stocking hats.


Collection of 5 pairs of antique turned wooden croquet posts with original paint.


Collection of 12 antique pressed steel child's tricycle running boards in assorted original painted colors. These graphic pieces resemble medieval gorgets or super hero insignia. This collection ranges in size form 9" to 15 ½".


Collection of 14 antique 19th and early 20th century wooden hand mirrors with beveled glass ranging in size from 7 1/2" to 15 ¼".