Are You a "Serious" Collector? The Categorization of Fedora Loungers.

[Enigma1947]

unlike the modern view that "everything everybody does is everybody else's business, and it's your obligation to have an opinion on it."

Not too modern. I think Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons would like this one!

 

[LizzieMaine]

True, but there's an awful lot of people who would have liked to have popped either of those old bats on the snoot. And some of them actually *did* pop Winchell on his.

Interesting fact: Benjamin Franklin, whose "vintageness" surpasses all of us, proposed that America's national slogan be "MIND YOUR BUSINESS," and that slogan actually did appear on some of our earliest coinage. Pity we've forgotten his advice.

 

[dhermann1]

I'd say that as far as clothes are concerned, I wear a few vintage items day to day, especially ties and hats. For special vintage events I'll wear my few vintage garments, such as suits, plus fours, etc. I wish I could find vintage or vintage styled clothes to wear all the time, but that's close to impossible in my size.
As far as other life style aspects are concerned, I listen almost exclusively to either classical music or old jazz/pop, i.e. Paul Whiteman, Ellington, Basie, Miller, Dorsey, etc.
I'm also a fan of vintage technologies, so I have a 40's vintage phone (not hooked up at the moment), and a lot of nice deco furniture in my home, as well as some nice vintage era art. I have a couple of nifty vintage electric fans, and of course several tube radios. And I just bamboozled my girlfriend into buying a very nice 1950 vintage GE fridge, which I'm sure she's going to appreciate when it lowers here electric bills.
But I'm definitely not in the league that Lizzie Maine and Forgotten Man are in terms of living the whole life style.
As far as the snob factor is concerned, I think a modest degree of snobbery in these areas is completely acceptable, as long as we keep a sense of humor about it.

 

[Undertow]

...So I don't know as any of the listed categories fit me. I'm an atavist, a person with the overall worldview and perspective of a previous generation...

I think Lizzie's explanation suits me well. I didn't approach the lounge with an interest in collecting vintage items, or being "vintage", simply for it's own sake. In fact, I came from a poor-but-proud family tied tightly to two very depression-era grandparents. Thus, I am the way I am; "vintage" more or less makes sense. I often feel like I was born in the wrong era because I identify with the previous era a lot better, but not because I pretend the previous era was somehow "better" (although I could give some subjective rants).

Just as some folks identify with ancient religious traditions, I identify with the "vintage" era (i.e. someone may identify themselves, through actions and feelings, as a Catholic, but are by no means a Bishop in the church gunning for Pope).

As far as my label from the OP, I suppose I fit best in the Period-Specific General Living Enthusiasts camp.

And by the by, it's not that I look down on all those really awesome historian folks! In fact, I envy people like Marc, for instance, because they have so much experience and so much knowledge. I wish I could research and understand so much!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Just as some folks identify with ancient religious traditions, I identify with the "vintage" era (i.e. someone may identify themselves, through actions and feelings, as a Catholic, but are by no means a Bishop in the church gunning for Pope).

If someone asks me "what's this all about?" and I don't feel like giving a detailed account of myself, I just say "I follow the traditional ways of my people." It's especially good when the questioner is an academic type.

 

[Flicka]

You'd be surprised how "vintage" the view is that what people do in their own lives is their own business and it's not for anyone else to meddle or interfere. The most vintage value I myself was raised with was "keep your nose out of other people's business," unlike the modern view that "everything everybody does is everybody else's business, and it's your obligation to have an opinion on it."

An interesting thing from a historical point of view is that there used to be a general acceptance that 'moral rules' had to be upheld and that 'immoral' behaviour should be punished however private (take adultery or prostitution for example). However, after the Age of Enlightenment 'moral laws' were increasingly considered being the goverment interfering with the freedom of man. During the 19th century there was a strong shift towards utalitarianism and legal positivism, which meant that the idea of a right and wrong inherent in Nature that must be upheld for their own sake was more or less abandoned. By the early 20th century, the idea of rational rules upheld by the government for the purpose of creating an effective society rather than enforcing moral rules dominated jurisprudence, at least here in Europe. Then, after the war, the idea that laws must be 'moral' to be legitimate had a bit of a renaissance (see the Nuremburg trials for example) and now I think the idea that the law should punish some things extra hard for no other reason that they are more morally wrong than others, is pretty widespread. So from a legal-philosophical-historical perspective 'the Golden Era' was definitely the era that most emphasised 'mind your own business'!

Sorry for derailing. I just wanted to say I agree, really.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I think stereotypes have a lot to teach us about how the "meddling gossipper" constantly telling others how to live their lives was actually viewed in the Era -- the negative image of the hatchet-faced interfering pious old hypocrite, whether male or female, recurs again and again in the popular culture of the time. Those who believe they would have been relentlessly persecuted for any possible divergence from the "norm" of the times might well have been surprised by how tolerant individuals could be. As long as you didn't stick your nose in other people's business, there's a pretty good chance they'd stay out of yours -- and if someone did choose to persecute you for whatever reason, you might be surprised to see how many people would take up your side: "Leave them alone! They ain't hurtin' you!" would have likely been heard far more often than "Burn the infidel!"

 

[resortes805]

:eusa_clap I like it! Im curious, do you wear the clothing, drive your car and use your knick knacks, etc? If so, you may fall a little bit under the "Period-Specific General Living Full-Timers" category. If you don't use your items and they are just there for eye candy, then I think "Archivist" is indeed the best term for you. However, I would add...

"Period-Specific General Living Archivist."

Though I have a feeling that you actually wear your clothing, etc, at least sometimes. You may fall under both categories. Or maybe we should add something like "Period-Specific General Living Part-Timers" Now that I think about it, this category may suit me best. I think I'll add it to the list!

I think I fall under the general living category, but I am not that period specific. For example, our living room is decked out '40s rattan, our kitchen is '30s deco, and our bedroom is mid 50's modern.

Yes while, I do wear my garments, drive my car, sit on my couch, I also invest a serious amount of time and money in the care, treatment, and preservation of my collection.

 

[Flicka]

I think stereotypes have a lot to teach us about how the "meddling gossipper" constantly telling others how to live their lives was actually viewed in the Era -- the negative image of the hatchet-faced interfering pious old hypocrite, whether male or female, recurs again and again in the popular culture of the time. Those who believe they would have been relentlessly persecuted for any possible divergence from the "norm" of the times might well have been surprised by how tolerant individuals could be. As long as you didn't stick your nose in other people's business, there's a pretty good chance they'd stay out of yours -- and if someone did choose to persecute you for whatever reason, you might be surprised to see how many people would take up your side: "Leave them alone! They ain't hurtin' you!" would have likely been heard far more often than "Burn the infidel!"

I can't help but think of Tom Jones - that book pretty much makes fun of the interfering, falsley pious hypocrites all the way through and it was published when? Round 1750, I think? Even then people recognised and disliked that stereotype...

I think it boils down to people being people no matter the period. Quite often they are a lot more tolerant than we give them credit for. As for the Era, they had to be, what with all the diversity and change they experienced!

 

[Romy Overdorp]

I have to be honest: When I first read the title of this thread I thought 'Oh no not this again!'. But you have put a lot of thought to it I can't say I fit in one specific category but if I have to choose it would be: Period-Specific General Living Part-Timers. I want to soak up as much information I can about different era's. So I am with Justin B on this (first page) Enthusiast of the Golden Era - Non Specific

 

[Quigley Brown]

I started out 40s then, like real history, I moved on to 50s and then 60s. Now I'm all over board. I just can't stay stuck in one period for the rest of my life....that's sort of odd to do that.

 

[Enigma1947]

I have to be honest: When I first read the title of this thread I thought 'Oh no not this again!'. But you have put a lot of thought to it

Thank you very much!

Yes, I too have witnessed the arguments that this general topic has started in the past. The problem with the previous threads is that there was no "categorization", therefore, everyone felt compelled to argue back and forth as to what it meant to be a "serious collector", etc. As stated in the beginning, no category is above or below another. This list of categories need not be a definitive list to begin with- just something to get people thinking. We are all different and should embrace ourselves just the way we are.

So far, I find the variety of responses fascinating!

 

[Romy Overdorp]

You are most welcome!
I am a 'history geek' so therefore I want to know as much as I can find out. I just love to do some serious research and discover all the wonderful (and awful) things that have occurred in the past. Currently I am trying to learn to read and understand hallmarks, since it may come in handy if you stumble upon a treasure on the internet or flea/antique market.

 

[Enigma1947]

I think I fall under the general living category, but I am not that period specific. For example, our living room is decked out '40s rattan, our kitchen is '30s deco, and our bedroom is mid 50's modern.

That sounds wonderful! If I could afford it, everything in my home would be 30's American Deco. Imagine how much that would cost! One day... I pray.

Yes while, I do wear my garments, drive my car, sit on my couch, I also invest a serious amount of time and money in the care, treatment, and preservation of my collection.

Yes, preservation! This is the most important thing, is it not? Since you are very much into care and preservation, would you happen to know a good reweaver in the Los Angeles area? I have a couple of suits that I would like to have repaired.

 

[resortes805]

? Since you are very much into care and preservation, would you happen to know a good reweaver in the Los Angeles area? I have a couple of suits that I would like to have repaired.

I wish! I've had some work done when I lived in Santa Barbara, but it was quite expensive. I've started to reweave on my own, with varying results.

 

[Enigma1947]

I wish! I've had some work done when I lived in Santa Barbara, but it was quite expensive. I've started to reweave on my own, with varying results.

Yeah, me to. I can pretty much reweave anything up to Pendleton Virgin Wool. Anything woven tighter than that, I won't even try.

 

[resortes805]

Same here, forget about gabardine!

 

[Yeps]

I would say I am a General Fashion Connoisseur/period fashion enthusiast. I like vintage fashions, but mostly because I think they look good, not out of any particular attachment to the era.

 

[Enigma1947]

Same here, forget about gabardine!

Amen! Contrary to the opinions of MANY vintage collectors, I am not a fan of gabardine and try to avoid it for two reasons: "Repairability" and "shine". Give me the tweeds, the worsted wools, the linens and the goodall!

Sorry to be a bit off topic everyone:eusa_doh:

 

[scottyrocks]

When I am able to dress the way I like best, which isn't often enough, I use vintage cues wherever I can. Fedora, 4 pocket vest, sometimes contrasting the jacket, pocket watch, wingtip shoes, bow tie. I am often noticed, and sometimes complimented because what I wear is not the norm. That's not why I do it, but it is nice, regardless.