Rinker on Collectibles

RINKER ON COLLECTIBLES — Column #1820

So Long, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

Rogers and Hammerstein’s “So Long Farewell” from their 1959 musical The Sound of Music is the first thought that occurs when I find it necessary to permanently say goodbye to something. In the movie as the Van Trappe family departs from the Salzburg Festival stage one individual at a time, the haunting refrains of the song continue until Gretel’s final goodbye and disappearance. The goodbye occurs on multiple levels – a deep regret for a life once lived but never to return, respect for what that life had to offer, an optimism that a goodbye can open the door to a promising future, an overall confidence that life is good, and that goodbye is a relative term.

This “Rinker on Collectibles” column #1820, the column’s 35th anniversary column, is my goodbye to “Rinker on Collectibles.” After 35 years of weekly deadlines, not missing one I am honored to state, I made the gut-wrenching decision to end “Rinker on Collectibles.” When I turned 80 in October 2021, I decided I needed to cut back and take more time to smell the proverbial roses, a misnomer because floral breeders have removed the smell from roses in the 21st century.

The decision was not an easy one. I considered ending the column several times in the past – the 25th (#1300) and 30th (#1560) anniversary columns and column #1500. Each time, I identified trends in the trade such as an aging traditional collector base, the 2008-2009 Great Recession, the Digital Age, the impact of the Millennials and Generation Z on the trade, and the selling of large collections of little interest to young collectors that I felt needed to be chronicled and about which I wanted to share my insights and analysis. As a result, “Rinker on Collectibles” continued.

Current changes in the trade such as the continual impact of the digital age including the growing trend to shop online, the growing price gap between the low end and high end in collecting categories, the impact of world economics and the Covid-19 pandemic (just when it appears to be decreasing, it finds a way to reinvent itself), the struggle to convince the younger generations that collecting is an adventure, and more loom large as reasons for me to continue “Rinker on Collectibles.” For a brief period of time, I considered extending “Rinker on Collectibles” to Column #2000, another three and one-half years. I always tell people when they want to know the answer to personal questions that they should look in the mirror. I looked. The mirror told me now was the time.

Before the customary thanks involved in any goodbye, I want to comment briefly on the legacy of “Rinker on Collectibles.” “Rinker on Collectibles” began and remained throughout its lifetime a column focusing on 20th century collectibles. It was meant as a counter to those columns whose focus was antiques. As a result, “Rinker on Collectibles” was a pioneering effort in establishing collectibles as a key and equal segment of the antiques and collectibles trade.

From its beginning, “Rinker on Collectibles” was different from the traditional question and answer columns. I made the decision to alternate the column format – a question and answer column one week followed by a text column the next week. The content of the text columns varied – new information about an object or collecting category, insights into the mindset of the collector, analysis and opinions on how the antiques and collectibles trade functions, and personal stories.

Text columns often were written in the vernacular, a common rather than an academic/professional voice. Many columns were written in the first person rather than the more neutral third person. Columns often contained idioms, puns (I love puns), and slang phrases.

I viewed “Rinker on Collectibles” as a vehicle to share my thoughts with readers. I did my best to make the column neutral and not focused primarily on one segment of trade such as auctioneer, collector, dealer, mall operator, publisher, or show promotor.

Text columns were not designed to be only good news columns. The columns discussed the good, the bad, and the ugly. Readers often disagreed with this approach. When asked what the goals of “Rinker on Collectibles” were, I always began the list with “getting people to think.” I found that people thought most when they were “pissed off.”

I never responded to “Letters to the Editor” about my columns. I had my say. Those who disagreed had the right to their say. One of my proudest moments was when a letter to the editor began: “I do not understand why anyone reads ‘Rinker on Collectibles.’ Last week, he wrote ‘x’ and two weeks ago he wrote ‘y.’” My critics were among my most avid readers.

I am fortunate. When asked about what I view as my antiques and collectibles trade legacies, I can cite a long list. The 910 “Rinker on Collectibles” text columns are near the top.

I self-syndicated “Rinker on Collectibles.” I rejected signing with a syndicate who wanted control of the column, its length, its format, and its content. In truth, I wrote “Rinker on Collectibles” for me. It was as long as required to make the points and provide the information I wanted to share.

I also am very proud of the “Rinker on Collectibles” question and answer columns. Each question received far greater attention than questions and answers in similar columns. I provided historical background because I wanted readers to learn the history of objects (the more information known, the greater the appreciation for the objects), understand the reasons behind the value estimates provided, and place the object into perspective in respect to the past, present, and possible future marketplace.

Never once did I make up a question in the 35 years of “Rinker on Collectibles.” Every question came from a reader, a friend, or an object brought to me at an appraisal clinic. When it came to providing values, I tried to be honest, some readers might state blunt. I never felt the need to lie to make a reader feel good.

My thanks for those who have supported “Rinker on Collectibles” in the past will be general in approach. It is the only way I can avoid offending individuals and others left off the list.

Dana Morykan, my column editor, webmaster, and friend, is the one exception. Dana has edited “Rinker on Collectibles” for over 25 of its 35 years. She has caught numerous errors in my drafts and been the voice of reason when I did step over the line. “Rinker on Collectibles,” I and my editors and readers owe her a debt of gratitude.

I want to thank my readers, new and old. Some have followed “Rinker on Collectibles” for over 30 years. I welcomed the many emails and letters from readers who shared their thoughts about a column or told me how much the column meant to them. I read, thought about, and cherished each.

My deepest appreciation to the publishers, editors, and website managers who made my column available to their audience. When I look back at the list of publications and websites who offered “Rinker on Collectibles” at one time or another, I am astonished.

Two published compilations of “Rinker on Collectibles” appeared in print, one by Wallace-Homestead (1987) and one by Ennis Books (2005). A third compilation entitled “Antiques and Collectibles in the 21st Century” was edited and ready to go to press in 2010. I withdrew it. I will add it to my website at some point in the future.

Writing this goodbye to my “Rinker on Collectibles” column was one of the hardest writing assignments I completed. The good news is that it is only goodbye to “Rinker on Collectibles” and not goodbye to my career in antiques and collectibles. In a file on my desk is a list of six books and over 25 articles I want to write. I continue to do appraisals, consulting, collection dispersal, lecturing, teaching, and writing. I serve on the Board of Directors for Worthpoint.com and write intros/landing pages for its Dictionary. Most importantly, I still collect and plan to keep collecting. When I finally do sell off my collections, I will write a series of special “Rinker on Collectibles” columns about the process.

It is time to dance off and exit stage right for “Rinker on Collectibles.” So Long, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye. To borrow Bob Hope’s famous phrase: “THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.” .

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Selected letters will be answered in this column. Harry cannot provide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5955 Mill Point Court SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. You also can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered.

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