Cayuse Western Americana - Clint Orms Jewelry

How to Collect? What to Collect?

April, 2008

At Cayuse, some of the most frequent questions we get from clients regard how to put together a quality collection. Everything ranging from what to collect, why collect, how broadly, or narrowly, should the collection be focused gets discussed. Our advice is pretty simple, based on the answer to one question: are you collecting for investment only, or for personal enjoyment?

Small items, like matchsafes, don't take up much space and are interesting to a wide market....

Collecting for investment implies that perhaps you are not going to hang on to your collection for as long as someone who wants to be surrounded by their acquisitions. In this case, the collector should purchase only the best examples of the items fitting into the collection's definition, and the collection should be clearly defined. For example, the collector could decide to put together the best examples of pre-reservation Native American weaponry. When pieces become available, price should be one of the lowest considerations. It has been proven time and again that if one holds the best example of any given type of art, the selling price can often be dictated (within reason) because there are few similar and comparable items to be offered. In this case, the collector is a speculator. He or she often gets guidance from paid consultants to help identify what the best examples for their collection might be, and the consultant might vet the items to ensure authenticity.

Collecting for personal enjoyment allows a different view of what to purchase, and why. Above all else, buying what you love is the greatest factor. If you love your pieces, that emotion will translate through the collection and make it more interesting to others. Falling under this consideration are some other tried and true pieces of advice: strive for quality, not quantity. Even if you're not the deep pockets collector described above, you should always opt for the best piece your money can buy. We have had countless so-called collections offered to us wherein there are one or two good pieces and the rest are not compelling due to condition, authenticity, rarity, or desirability. There are "bargains" at auctions and sales for a reason! And, like the investment collector, you should define what you'd like to collect - although your guidelines in this area don't have to be as rigid. Spontaneously purchasing something outside of your guidelines because you love it, is encouraged.

Above: Arapaho awl and flint case collected in the 1880's by a Union Pacific employee....

For both of these types of collectors, the decison to buy pieces with proven collection history, or provenance, is a positive factor. These pieces have added cachet and the trust factor to perspective buyers is higher down the road. Items wth history elevate any collection to a more important status. Also, any collector should be encouraged to trade up - sell the lowest denominator in your collection to help fund higher quality pieces.

One of the worst things you can do is be too competitive with a fellow collector. Most mistakes are made by those who feel they need to "beat" another bidder or a friend out of a good piece. Decisions are made too hastily without complete information. While the adage "The time to buy an antique is when you see it" is valid, you should not feel under pressure to make a hasty decision.

Whatever your reasons for collecting, do your homework, and ask the assistance of an expert or two. Depending on what you're asking for, you may expect to pay these experts, but the knowledge is worth it! Similarly, don't feel bad about paying more for an item from an established dealer. Many fall into the "I can find it myself" trap, and end up with expensive mistakes involving fake or nominal items. Most reputable dealers will guarantee their items for a period of time, and may even be a buyer for those "trading up" items.

Cayuse Western Americana
P.O. Box 1006, 255 North Glenwood Ave.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83001
(800) 405-4096 , (307) 739-1940