A Book Review: The Art of Collecting by the Editors of Victoria Magazine & A Few of My Auction Finds 

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I'm a happy collector. 😊 The thrill of the hunt is always fun. I enjoy my things for visual stimulation and appreciate good craftsmanship.

🌹 When we become collectors; a communication begins, between us and those items, like they start telling us before stories..And they say; "I'm so happy to be living here with you now."... Thank you.

Mary that book was so full of inspiration and beauty! I have my collection of Victoria magazines starting with the winter 1987/1988. I love looking at these and going back in time remembering who was my baby at that time ( I have 7 children..now 15 grands also) and what was going on in my life that year, like and a special trip we took or a loved one who passed that year. These magazines were my usual request for my birthday gift from family. I’d pour over them until the next one arrived. Sadly, things have changed in the magazine world. I prefer holding my magazine and not looking online at it. Victoria gave me inspiration for the hunt as I’ve been to estate & garage sales since childhood and learned so much during those excursions! The stories that go with the great finds bring joy with each telling and greater appreciation for being so fortunate to have been at the right place…at the right time to have the special something today. I collect linens and get them for a song as many people don’t like to iron. My best purchase was choosing over 30 at the end of an estate sale for 10cents each, beautiful large damask napkins several monogramed😊.

Oh, how I love collecting. Let me count the ways….. My parents were collectors and I have been treasure hunting since an early age. My tastes have changed over the years but I enjoy and have a story for almost every piece. My current collections consist of copper; utilitarian and decorative. I have a collection of ceramic plates acquired during my travels to Turkey. This collection started thirty three years ago on our honeymoon. My husband is Turkish and he took me home to meet his family. So every time we go back I buy another plate or two. I also love cloisonné and have several (many) purchased from antique stores, estate sales and even garage sales. My memorable auction experience was about twenty five years ago. We attended an auction in our city to hopefully purchase an oriental rug. Our children were five and seven. Just as the rug came up for bid and we started bidding, our daughter disappeared from our side! We were in a panic. It was quite crowded and we didn’t see her anywhere. After a few minutes of sheer desperation we found her in the auctioneer’s office playing with their young daughter. Needless to say we were beyond relieved. And somehow we were the highest bidder of the rug and brought it home that day along with our family intact.

Looking forward to your next book tour! I also love English style and Antiques!!

Hello Mary! I too am a collector of blue/white pottery. I also do auctions and estate sales. The feeling of the auction ending knowing ur the winner is so addicting. I love to see your collections and hear the stories of how you got them. Thank you for sharing. God bless, John 3:16

Ahh, eye candy in this book review. Items are so beautiful, however, your collections are divine as well. I always enjoy your section of each video that takes us into your home. Roses are beautiful...Happy Valentines Day and I feel sure your 'honey' will bless you well. Have a great week and see you in my home next week ~ ❤‍🩹❤💕

Oh Mary, what a treat! I adore your videos. Your voice is so calming and you are always bringing us such interesting thoughts. I live in England but have a sister in America. We talk about your channel all of the time! It brings us together. We love collecting. Over here I hunt at my local Emmaeus- a charity store. But I may try an auction now too! Many thanks...

Thank you for the very interesting, thoughtful and insightful commentary on collecting. I found the illustrations in this book so ravishing that by the end of the video I thought "Ok, I've gotta have this one." My longtime collecting weaknesses are antique dolls and green & white transferware.

Hello Mary I’m Trudy and I’m from Louisiana. And I collect many things blue and white, salt cellars,rabbits, Easter decor and Christmas items too. And I love love estate sales and like you the thrill of the hunt. Enjoy

Collecting runs deep in my family & I was bitten by the collecting bug early on. Enjoyed this week's post thoroughly, Mary. Thank you!

I love collecting and my friends say I collect people. I do love a verity of all things and people. It's never boring. Thank you Mary

I enjoyed your video even though my style of collections that speak to me are very different. No matter what we collect, the same things are true as far as what motivates us all. I'm not sure I understand why I get so much pleasure hunting for the treasures I want in my home, but I do know from an early age, I was always collecting something. It's just so satisfying when I get that next piece that adds just the right touch to the look I'm visualizing. It makes me smile when I walk around my home and see treasure after treasure and the memories associated with them. They transport me to an earlier time and it pays tribute to those who have lived years before.

Tea caddies, tole, silhouettes, umbrellas, walking canes, transferware, where do I stop. Great book Mary, thanks .

I hope you are safe and dry today! Here in Northern Michigan the skies are blue. My grandson is living Charlotte. Far enough inland to avoid the strongest part of the storm.

That was beautiful Mary, hearing how you acquired the entry piece of furniture was touching. Unfortunately for me, my mother was not a collector, and actually gave away everything including all my toys. However, moving on, finances late in life are allowing me to build a custom home, furnish it Mario Buatta style (on a smaller scale) and I’m having a lovely time. It’s never too late.

I just love your videos! Friday afternoons are delightful with you and your books! I collect but not too much. I would enjoy the book , I will see if I can order it! ❤❤

Another fabulous video, thx. “Victoria” is my favorite magazine. It is always filled with beautiful things that bring me happiness and inspiration. Your wonderful videos bring me as much joy as walking through the pages of “Victoria”. I love collecting and over-stuffing my home with “treasures” I usually find at antique stores.

As I have always had Pekingese dogs ....so I collect Porcelain ones too ! My other collections are a mixture of English and French Trios (cup, saucer and the plates) . I love to have all different patterns and I Must have that side plate as I do use them when I have afternoon tea. That plate is for scones or cake. lol I am very proud of my collection of rare Scottish Nautilus hand painted China Trios. Yes, I use them too.

I love online auctions but I especially love live estate auctions...I am sad that families dont care about their ancestors items but I love buying them. I have always had a passion for antique Christmas items. My new passion is copper items. I got a entire copper collection of kitchen items from a gentleman grandmother. Im like you in that looking and touching these items make me happy ❤❤❤

Hi Mary ! I said to myself exciting Mary is on !! I love the shot of your front porch ! What a wonderful book , I definitely put it on my list ! I was collecting the brass horse medallions, I still keep an eye out for them.. plus other items that tie into that Ralph Lauren polo look. Also, I love blue & white which is seeming harder to find! Recently I am finding tins with a picture on the top from England that had candies in them which reminds me of riding a ferry into Canada and a man can onto the ferry selling them and my dear mom brought one, oh how I wish I had that! Until next week Take Care , hugs from Indiana ~~ Paula

Hi Mary I love this book and still enjoyed your video even though I have this in my collection. I love each Victoria book and continue to enjoy the lovely pages over and over. They never get old!! Antiques continue to ignite my senses! ❤❤

I Loved this review. I absolutely agree collecting is exploration of the soul. I collect a lot of things, but salesman sample furniture and vintage jewelry boxes are my favorite.

That's a very distinguished gentleman at 0:14. The lady on his arm seems like she is happy to have him around.

Hi! Mary I collect all kinds of these. I never thought about it until this video I suppose I need to focus Baby on a couple of certain things you got my mind thinking I do love Crystal and I love to find a bargain on it.

Your collections are amazing. I love collecting. I collect many things.; ceramic churches, books, glass slippers, ladies head vases, dishes…..just to name a few of my collections.

I love your videos 😍 your voice is so relaxing

“hunt and gather”. THAT IS IT! The psychology behind what drives us to spend a week’s worth of grocery money on “treasures”, may never be fully understood! I’m so thankful to know, I’m not alone!🥰🏝💚

Thank you for explaining to me why I collect!

Whatever they’ve got in those bouquets that keep them fresh and everlasting I’d really like to put on my face!

👍 hi Mary like your collections!

🌿~Beautiful show Miss Mary! ~Enjoying from Pennsylvania!👍

Hi Mary! I love your gold bracelet on your right wrist. Where did you get it? I love your Chanel. I love all of your tips! You inspire me so much!!!

Perfect viewing 👌

Enjoyed. I love to collect and I must say I do enjoy the hunt. It is so much fun. I have not purchased at an online auction. What is meant by a buyers premium? This book looks very interesting.

I’d love to know what you paid for the sideboard and what it appraised for. I just knew you were going to say. ☺️

Your channel is absolutely beautiful….

Mary I collect a lot of different things but I go for less on quantity and more on quality And I have to have a instant reaction to the item so I can say I love it and will never get tired of looking at it here’s some things I collect Choclate coco pots with cups my favorite my mom brought home from MO our home state Czec perfume bottles they came from different places my mom and I Antique at and fairs Waterford bowls the older ones verious sizes pretty ladies Royal Dalton figurines Majolica pieces my favorite find was a monkey his colors our outstanding John sold it to me for 5.oo I told him what it was and he said that’s ok I looked it up and it’s value was 1500 the hunt for something is the fun of it I also collect some small things like vintage snuff boxes limoge and silver pieces they have gotten so high sorry If this was lengthy love your home it’s beautiful

조각하나하나가 정말 아름답고 섬세하니 멋집니다

Having a list of things to hunt for makes frequent vintage/antiques shopping trips completely justifiable.

Ωραία όλα αυτά , αλλά πώς ξεσκονιζονται ;;?? That's the question !!!

I love that opening shot of you two with your colorful apparel, which totally speaks to both of your personalities! Fun, free, happy, spontaneous and meant for each other. Like you... I love to plunder... the thrill of the hunt is everything! I have been collecting blue and white dishes and tarnished silver, along with paintings of bunnies and rabbits for years . Just looking at them and knowing they belong to me gives me such pleasure. Was the last little box a tea caddy? loved it!

I can hardly wait for Friday nights with a tray of tea and your new video. It’s such a treat to peek through your beautiful home as I collect several of the same items as you. Makes me wonder if we have ever bid against each other. 😳 I collect (mostly antique) blue and white porcelain. That’s what drew me to your channel a year ago while scrolling through YT. I loved this book and just ordered it. Greetings from Nashville, Tennessee.

I remember when Victoria magazine first came out. I was the mother of two young children and my mother called me from my home state and said that a new magazine named "Victoria" came out and I just HAD TO GET IT! Of course I did, and I'm still buying them! And I still own the very first issue! (and many more) I'm hoping that by buying them, they will never stop publishing them ❤️

Hello Mary yes am a collector also blue and white ceramic ginger jugs plates. Anything I can get my hands on I enjoy it so much just going and looking. thank you for Showing your collections your home is beautiful and I love your show

Mary this was such a lovely video. I particularly enjoyed seeing your wonderful collections, especially the Persian bowl. Fond regards from Australia 🇦🇺

My family is from Germany and I enjoy collecting Hutschenreuther and rosenthal porcelain figurines with animals. They are affordable and I enjoy finding them from estate sales, auction houses, and eBay!

At an auction last year near Paris I saw a small sofa, two 'bergeres' and four chairs, early 19 th century with original needlepoint selling for 300 euros !! Everything went for very little money despite it being a class auction house ! I wanted an oriental vase converted to a lamp that had an estimate of 60 euros so I waited in the cold for three hours until it came up at the end of the sale and it went for 3600 euros !!!!!! I couldn't believe it but in a way it shwoed I had a good eye ! I did buy a pair of wall lights and a pair of tall Syrien brass lamps both lots for 20 euros, a folder of 19 th century sketches and prints for 15 euros and an 18 century Swedish gilt mirror for 50 euros with a broken top but easily mended. A gorgeous hand painted Italian cupboard went for 20 euros ! I was mad that there was no way I could get these things home to the south of france economically but in hindsight, given that I am moving and downsizing it was a good thing !

I am currently moving from an 8 bedroom very large house to a 2 bed house with small living room and tiny kitchen and as I pack up treasures part of me knows that in this new home there will not be space to display them. The saddest part is knowing that from then on I cannot go antique buying, just maybe a thimble or coffee cup ! I have given away a lot to friends with chateaux and am about to sell at a flea market and then a week later at a car boot sale to pass on my things to other collectors. Part of me is happy to go live in a townhouse and be near amenities growing older but I will miss the country and my vast garden and courtyards, trees that I will not see give fruit and roses that will one day cover walls. I stay positive and plan for a lovely kitchen and second bathroom and the huge workspace that drew me to that house with it's adjoining barn and courtyard. I am lucky to be moving in the spring when the world despite global news, is a positive place to be. If there is a downside it's the thousands of heavy books that no one likes to transport ! In this house I have a dedicated library with mahogany bookcases with little ladders and a corridor of bookshelves plus a landing of shelves so you see the problem! xoxoxo

Robert Kime is my go to designer and a huge influence in my home and collections. I was saddened to hear of his passing as I had always hoped to meet him one day. I bought the double catalogue of the sale of his collections as it gives great insight into the details of his collection. I am looking forward in my new home to put together my little oddities into a glass display cabinet in the way that Robert did in his home and covering my sofa with fabric of which he would approve.

Hi Mary, today a watch you on my phone (not home) I stopped the video went to Amazon and bought the book 🤩 thank you. I too love collecting, I’m so so glad for the video today, I thought maybe there was something wrong with me 🤪 most people in there late 60s are trying to downsize and instead I just keep collecting, I feel bad for the kids in the future 😂. They don’t care about my treasures. I love everything you shared with us today, everything is so beautiful. ❤ See you next week. Happy Valentine Day 💝💐🥂

Loved this one thank you Mary!

I collect vintage hat pins and Portuguese pottery!

Love your stories that go with the beautiful pieces!

Mary..I enjoy your channel..I have been looking forward with your great fine ..yes The Mahogany CHAISE LOUNGE!!! you have a creative and beautiful talent..thanks for sharing your blessings!!!!!❤❤❤❤

Lovely presentation

I really enjoyed this one, as collecting is one of my obsessions. I collect all sorts of things, mostly china, and books. Though I don't collect primarily for value, some things have a modest collector value (mainly some of my MCM pieces). I collect things mainly because I enjoy them regardless of monetary value. My first piece was a very common Currier and Ives blue transferware plate by Royal China from the 1960s--which today is valued at less than $10, but I loved it. Now I have dozens of patterns and hundreds of pieces. I also collect art prints from certain artists. However, I can honestly say, almost everyone I personally know, couldn't care less about my collections, and many only see clutter or "junk." My husband would love for me to stop and I can't even give things away to my children, grandchildren, or nieces--I've tried! But, being born with the name "Garner" I tell everyone I came by my obsession with collecting honestly, and I do so very much enjoy finding the prizes. Like a metal Coco-cola day calendar from the 1960s (an advertising gift given out by distributors only to vendors) found for 32 cents at a garage sale at an old gas station, then finding it was worth over $300 to collectors. Or finding a Shelley Dainty Blue tea pot for $30 and the matching coffee pot also for $30, both in pristine condition, then learning that they each are valued well over $500. Or a cranberry and white colored Copeland/Spode soup tureen in perfect condition for $50 on eBay and finding it is likely worth closer to $1000. On the other hand, a year ago, in trying to reduce my collections, I sold a trailer load of my MCM pieces to a dealer for $500. I had contacted him, and I knew very well he was getting a steal. Then I watched as he listed just a portion of the items on ETSY. Added it up and if sold would get him over $6000 in revenue, and that was just on the china, and the "smalls" and didn't include any of the furniture I sold him. I do, from time to time, remind my husband and children, if something happens to me, get an experienced estate person to appraise things before selling them, as they'll be surprised how much my "junk" is worth. Thanks for this video!! Your advice is wonderful. This was fun and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane too. I'm pretty sure I have this book, so I'll have to go look through my Victoria books to see. Oh, and this comment is so long already, I won't tell you all about my first experience at an auction. It's too cliche and I really did "win" a bid unintentionally by waving my hand at the wrong minute. It was such a good price though so I kept the items and now they are part of my "story." :)

I have to say the Victoria published books are some of my favorites I really enjoy them. I've found some wonderful treasures over the years from all sources and brought things back from visits with family in the UK 🇬🇧, I brought back one time a whole dinner and tea service of china and had to pay excessive luggage charges at the Heathrow airport, my suitcase was so heavy I couldn't lift it and left all my clothes at my mother's home. It was worth it I chuckle everytime I use the pieces. Take good care until next week.

Mary I collect Victorian Wedding Bracelets like the one you are wearing in this episode. I have a pretty good idea you collect them too. I’ve noticed you wearing them in several of your videos. Just recently started a collection of Loving Cup Trophies.

Sight…my favorit moment with Mary ,Friday evening my relax evening.🥰 I collect lamps.

I love Hunt and Gather, I watch their videos too. I do plan on a trip visit in person soon. Victorian magazine is my favorite magazine I collected them in the 80's. I donated all of them to a book store that sold used books early in 2000 before a big move. I do to this day regret this. I have started collecting them and the hard cover books too. Any hoot😂 I have several things I collect Limoges eggs, tea sets and several plates. I also have Capodemonte items specially some beautiful lamps and some great Italian and Greek bath linens. I love them all!!! Thank you for a great afternoon video❤

Mary, what a wonderful video. It was definitely worth waiting all week for! 😃 I love the Victoria book, and I have always loved the magazine. Your collections are so interesting. I can not believe you have that ancient bowl! How cool is that!? ;) And did you know that Lighthorse Harry Lee was Robert E. Lee's father? I love history. Have a great day!

Another lovely video…thank you

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I never get tired of looking thru the Victoria magazines! Even to this day one can get inspirations to decorate. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you, Mary! As always, I appreciate your effort, work, and perfectionism!

Thank you for sharing stories of acquiring pieces from your collections. I found it very interesting. You have many beautiful things.

Hi Mary, gerat video! I like your philosophy that the collecting bug is more hunter gatherer inspired than plunderer, but I like the lady-plunderer idea 😊

Thank you, Mary. Have a good weekend!