But how many of those young people will stay within colle...
Kevin,
Have no appropriate, or definitive answer to that. I have free-time right now, so a tome was written below. Will those in the future who will stay collecting, still collect the "older things"??
Ones personal thought is that, at some point the very old things will not be as collectible as they once were. Is this a hundred percent? No. There will most likely always be "enough" to enjoy and want to collect the older things. I never thought for a second that could or would enjoy much other than what I had or was around during the formative years. Today have a smaller, but varied collection. This came from learning along the way that there was some pretty cool things out there, that were around long before oneself.
A way to look at such, is with collector cars. While the cars from pre WWII aren't as hot as they used to be, they still ARE in fact collectible. Even cars from the 50's, which is ones favorite decade have had a decline, but they are sill collected and sold. That is so.
However, vacuums are different to a degree. Cars are VERY expensive, and collected by those who have money. My collection really did not start to grow, until one had own paycheck. Have noticed that many younger people tend to have little or no flow, mobility issues, cognitive probs. etc. This limits many. And because as a society most will value everything to the penny, few can collect what they may like. If at all. Many, who have things in abundance in silo's, shack or shelter; place value on things that cause collectibles to be affordable only after a stop at the local sperm bank, kidney selling center. It continues unabated. Ebay, changed the game for us all. And even those who once hadn't an idea of what one had, is educated by our habits of buying. Then the things that used to be left for dead, or purchased for pennies or free have a value that is beyond reality. Thats a BIG STOP for alot of people.
In the earlier days, old vacuum cleaners were traded amongst each other, and for sums of money that would probably make people cry or FREE. It still out there. People are still willing to share and not retire off said collection. One has made some flow off of machines for sure, but have also given away MANY machines over the years. Some today quite uncommon. Why? it brought that person some joy!!!
It's the cheap things that no one wants, that usually begins a collection. One was nearly in my late 20's before the decision was made, and spent over a hundred dollars for a machine that I had to have. In fact SEVERAL hundred dollars for a Hoover Convertible with a Cord Reel. Never mind that it was Neptune Green, and said Penncrest. It was still a heavier Convertible with a Cord Reel. It didn't sour me to the hobby, just set me back a few months in bills to have a heavy Convertible. It now sits in another friends collection. Have used it twice since I shared it with a decade back. But I digress....
Some have neither pot , nor window. Some have means, and some have beans. IN time it will even out hopes. It did for me, and others, and will so in the future.
Another thought: One must hope that the younger people who become interested, will find allies in the older sect, to TEACH them about the machines of old. This avenue does get a bit muddied seems, because one thing (vacuum cleaners, and potential adult preferences/lifestyles become interwoven). Not all aspire to the mixture, but many do.
Many aren't comfortable to be a mentor. Then there are who do. Several times, one has. And one kept it in the happy box, and kept it clean. Despite the yippy chatter and a few floor wets, a few good collectors emerged. I answered them and taught what I knew. And..voila'. Several lifers so to speak, not just of my influence, but having the love already there are now knee or rectal crack deep in cleaners....
One of my closest friends that have had over a decade with in time, met when he was into mostly 90's Dirt Devils, Hoovers and such. He of course had a LOT of machines, and including older machines, but as he continued to meet others, and experience, he began to appreciate that which was new when his parents were his age and older. Even obtaining the very first Hoover or " Electric Suction Sweeper".
One who stayed in their own decade, wouldn't have appreciated it as much as he did, despite a collective beleaguering from many, because a young person had such a thing, and they did not. Look back, you'll see. Behaviour in any form, can damper a persons want to be a part. He nearly dropped from sight. BUT he looked beyond the garbage. And he still has many friends within this. But he found other interests, and loves along the way. And he grew up and became an adult who focuses on the day to day, and not just sweepers... and not the garbage for sure.
And so it goes. Have experienced this with many who were far younger than, and the experience has been with time comes collecting things we may never had thought.
So it is with vacuums.
Todd,
My heart breaks for you that you lost a child. As a fellow, who also suffers from depression; I can only imagine how things are, have been, and will continue to be for you. You however alienated those who aren't interested in, or participate in the human condition. These are the ones one should avoid. No one here as of yet. And certainly not me. And seems to be a similarly held feeling.
One did start a dialogue tho, one that probably should have been begun years back. WHY is there so much drama, hate, bitching, fighting, hurt and anger when there is so much in our day to day. My answer is simple. We all have backbone, intelligence, know it all sorcery AND the key to nirvana; when behind a screen, and a keyboard. When faces AND backs are turned. Period. When we are in our soft, safe place, we have the time, and the temerity to create havoc, and so it goes in any area. It's in many sites. It will never go away. Many can try to rinse away, but it still comes back. as sure as soap scum....
This rings true, especially when our day to day life gives us reason to act out. In past days, one was in no means immune. One however, does NOT subscribe, or do it anymore. I want a place to play and enjoy my enjoyment. Not a consistent area from which soap operas can be written. Thats why I look for the good, skim the garbage, and continue on. When one can simply not engage, things are better.
I just wanted to share some thoughts. Will probably sink back into the padding under the carpet now. Just love and live and let live. Thats what Im taking out of what im sharing.
Yours
Chad
