On Collecting: An Investigation into Collecting in the European Tradition

by Susan M. Pearce

On Collecting examines the nature of collecting both in Europe and among people living within the European tradition elsewhere.
Susan Pearce looks at the way we collect and what this tells us about ourselves and our society. She also explores the psychology of why do we bestow value on certain objects and how does this add meaning to our lives? Do men and women collect differently? How do we use objects to construct our identity?
This book breaks new ground in its analysis of our relationship to the material world.

Genres: Anthropology, History, Nonfiction

456 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 1999

About the author

Susan M. Pearce is Professor Emeritus of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. Her research interests have always concentrated on Material Culture, particularly human relationships with the artefact world and the nature and process of collecting. She studied history and archaeology at Oxford University and then worked on the curatorial staff at the National Museums on Merseyside and Exeter City Museum. She joined the Department in 1984 and was appointed Director in 1989, Professor of Museum Studies in 1992, Dean of the Arts Faculty in 1996 and Pro-vice chancellor in 2000. Susan M. Pearce was also President of the Museums Association 1992-1994.

Reviews

[Christina Stind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Pearce is one of the "go-to-gals" when you are interested in collecting and since I'm writing a master thesis on collecting, she's high up on the must-read list.
This book is about collecting in the European tradition and Susan Pearce covers a lot of ground. she examines the way we collect, both as private people and as societies/museums, how value interferes in the collecting world, the meaning of gender in relation to collecting and how do we get meaning in our lives from material objects.

[Raivis Spalvēns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lai arī ne visai svaigs, tomēr fundamentāls (un joprojām interesants) pētījums par kolekcionēšanas tradīciju Eiropā. Lūk, teikums no grāmatas, kas konspektīvi pastāsta, par ko tā vēsta: "Kolekcionēšanai pieder tā neitrālā teritorija sociālajā sistēmā, kas veidojas starp tirgu un templi, kur no atkritumiem un krāmiem tiek radīta vērtība."

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wide-ranging, comprehensive look at all aspects of collecting from the European tradition. I would recommend it to anyone looking at a related topic.