Show us yours and we’ll show you ours. Nearly one in every three people in North America collects something. People collect for pleasure. They also collect to remember, to preserve, to belong, to make sense of the world.”
This is what was written at the entrance of the Museum of Vancouver’s (MOV) exhibit that featured 20 Vancouver collectors and their rather unconventional collections last year. It was a beautifully curated show that invited visitors to enter into the fascinating, and sometimes unusual, world of collectors. Guests could also become part of the show by sharing their own collections on red and white post-it notes that were placed on the walls around the entrance and through a digital display that featured contributions to the hashtag #MyCollectionatMOV.
The show was the brainchild of Viviane Gosselin, the Senior Manager, Curatorial and Curator of Contemporary Culture at MOV. “I have been working in the field for 20 years and meet so many collectors”, says Gosselin. “Collectors are my experts. They know all the details. They have specific knowledge, bridging between public and private knowledge. Museums are always relying on collectors.”
“But because each show takes two to four years to set up”, says Gosselin, “we can’t offer a show or do justice for every collection.” As a result, Gosselin had “collected” several collectors over time. Even though she couldn’t offer each of them a solo exhibit, she believed that “it was worthwhile to pay attention to their world and their passion and doing it as a way to study the phenomenon of collecting.”
This eventually led to the idea of a group exhibit that would explore “the act of collecting, the collector’s vision and the role collections play in building identity, public memory and social connections.” But more specifically, it was meant to potentially provide insight into the questions of why people collect and if private collections affect public consciousness in any way.
When asked which collectors stood out for her, Gosselin had many but highlighted three in particular: Melanie Talkington, Rob Frith, and Kyle Seller.
Gosselin was impressed by Talkington and her collection of corsets. “She learned to make corsets by deconstructing them and turned her collection into a viable business.” Talkington, who has been making, selling and collecting corsets for over well 20 years, owns Lace Embrace Atelier, which is located in Vancouver.
From her very first purchase of a red wool corset in 1997 and after years of collecting, it is no surprise that she is considered a corset expert and has one of the largest antique corset collections in the world.
“I now have over 300 antique corsets, hoops, garters, stockings and children’s corsets,” says Talkington. “My collection has shaped my lifestyle. I created a fun and interesting business out of my passion for corsets. It has taken me around the world to work on museum exhibitions, participate in trade shows, and make new acquisitions.”
Sharing her knowledge, and educating others around the many different roles corsets played in our history, continues to be important for Talkington. In 2013, the Louvre Museum in Paris borrowed 40 of her corsets for The Mechanics of Underwear exhibit and plans to make her private collection more accessible to the general public by creating a museum in the back of her retail store.
Another, standout for Gosselin was Rob Frith and his display of vintage concert posters. “You can tell music has played a big part in his life.” And indeed it has.
Rob Frith owns Neptoon Records, Vancouver’s oldest independent record store. Although Frith has several items that he collects, the concert poster collection is one that is near and dear to him. “Music means everything to me. Posters are an important part of that. I have thousands and thousands of posters. Most are from Vancouver, but I have some from all over.”
He acquired his first poster when he was 12 years old. “I was always interested in art, especially art that was interesting and weird. My dad was a builder and had bought a house that had been rented by draft dodgers. He took me to the house to help clear it out and on the walls were several concert posters. I was blown away by the artwork and took them home and put them up on my bedroom wall.”
From then on he started to notice them all around Vancouver. He also went to his first concert when he was in Grade 8 and started to casually buy posters after the shows. Eventually his passion grew to include records. This led to him owning a record store and creating his own record label. “I have also reissued records and the posters have come in handy for those projects.”
Sharing his collection with a broader audience also matters to Frith. “I feel that this collection is important, it is a historical document. I have let people use my posters for illustrations in books, LP and CD releases, newspapers, magazines, television, and movies.” He has also been scanning images of all of his posters and placing them on his Facebook page.
Kyle Seller is another collector who stood out for Gosselin. Several of his vintage pinball machines and arcade games were on display at the MOV. All were in working condition and people could play some of them for a dollar or less.
Seller bought his first arcade game (Bubble Bobble) when he was 16, and still has it today. His collection has since grown to include around 60 and having to be creative with storage has led him to build a unique career for himself. “With my business, East Van Amusements, I restore pinball machines and rent pop-up arcades in pubs and other establishments around the city.”
According to Seller, the pinball and arcade market has found new life in Vancouver. “There are pinball leagues with regular tournaments and a massive culture for collecting.” All of this is good news for Seller as he continues to find new and exciting ways to be a part of that community and grow a business that fuels his passion.
In terms of why she thinks people collect, Gosselin suggests that it is related to how people see themselves. “It is tied to their identity and is an identity building process. As you build your identity, you are building yourself. They are always in that process of building, selecting and following their passion. Starts with intuition and interest but then you become more knowledgeable. And you get to know yourself better in relation to different topics.”
Hong stands proud with his catch of the day. Around him, a small crowd has gathered to hear the story and to regale in his find; a rather large floral Chinese Cloisonné vase. He is thrilled to boast that he purchased this prize possession for only $140. The scuttlebutt among the dealers and admirers is that this vase may be worth twice that much. Its actual worth, however, is dependent on a variety of factors, including the condition it is in, the current economic climate and who is out there looking to buy it. Regardless, Hong is ecstatic and feels like he got an incredible deal.
Going into its 11th year, this market is one of Vancouver’s favourites. With over 175 vendors and four different rooms to showcase their wares, you can find many treasures ranging from $1 all the way to a few in the hundreds or more. This flea market is a bit different than most, although it does offer a huge selection of bargains for avid thrift shoppers it also caters to collectors and those looking for something with a bit more of a retro or vintage feel.
Adrian is one of those people; she comes to these shows to look for vintage jewellery, accessories and clothing. A show regular, she often shows up in the most exquisite vintage hats. For this show however, she has designed her own hat to have a vintage feel and has found a beautiful pair of rhinestone earrings to match her outfit. As a designer and a pianist, she enjoys being able to wear vintage, and vintage inspired, clothing and jewellery.
are looking for funky housewares like a 1930’s Sunbeam Mixmaster, cool lamps, or hip miniature furniture from the 70s…you can probably find something to meet your need. Many tables also have a $1 or $5 section, these are often my favourites. You never know what you might find.
But along with all the vintage, retro and collectible finds, you can find lots of other unique items such as sport fishing memorabilia from $15 to $300. This includes rods and reels to fishing magazines and lures. 
Together, Jann and Karen are no strangers to the fashion industry, between them they have over 40 years experience. Jann has worked 20 years in fashion retail and opened Bohemia Gallery in 2004 with her daughter Ashlee. Five years later, with her son Jason and his wife Taryn now part of the business, they have expanded the store to include the upstairs portion, called The Loft, and have over 3000 square feet of retail space. With a blend of contemporary, retro and vintage clothing and accessories for both men and women, their store can best be described as “boho chic meets retro crazy.”
Karen’s models (again both men and women) on the other hand were more muted in colour, but vibrant in layers of texture and fabric. All of her designs are unique and can best be described as Victorian Romanticism meets the streets of Vancouver. From everyday wear to Celtic inspired wedding gowns and stylish kilts and sweaters for men, her clothing not only blends texture and fabric but various fashion eras as well.
To Market, to market, and to market again. Now more than ever, Vancouver has an incredible selection of markets that range from selling fresh produce to art, crafts, knick knacks, antiques and secondhand goods. Whether you are local or visiting from out of town, there is something truly special to be said about Vancouver’s public markets. Not only do they give you a sense of community but they also provide you with a glimpse into the local culture and the people who make it come alive. And for the savvy shopper, who enjoys the feast and the find, public markets are like banquet meals – there is incredible variety and people always want to go back for more.
As you open the doors and enter, you’ll smile at the countless rows of colourful mounds of fresh produce: red and green apples from the Okanagan, crisp green, orange and yellow vegetables from farms in Langley and Abbotsford, imported yellow bananas, and layers of whole salmon, halibut, and snapper – all caught by local fishermen. The colours are bright and vivid and you are drawn to touch – to feel the freshness that captivates your line of site.
om The Grainery) and while you feed the birds on the deck by the water, you can listen to some wonderful music or be entertained by local buskers (some better than others). In the background you can also hear the hum of boats nearby and seagulls fighting over seeds left behind for the pigeons. And if you walked on the Island, be prepared to be gently accosted by Dave sitting on an old plastic lawn chair as you leave the Island. Generally there between 3 and 5 most days, he’s on a mission, promoting some cause or another and often selling some strange little gadget. He calls himself a community advocate and is passionate of his cause of the moment, but most people tend to avoid him if they can. He’s harmless enough and talks with authority, but depending on his mood that day, you can never be too sure what to expect.