So many wonderful and interesting things in this collection, and I really enjoyed the thoughtful conversation about the nuances of collecting. I'm also very impressed with how well behaved Gigi must be--my cat would never allow me to have that many "toys" within his reach!
Thanks for this great interview. I agree with so many of his points and am in awe of his organization. My collections aren't on display and I need to fix that.
Thanks for this wonderful interview, Paul! I also appreciate Michael's last comment about others enjoying his stuff at some point. In a similar vein, I always write my name in my books because I'm thinking about who will own them once I die (acquiring them from a used bookstore, or a Little Free Library or something), and writing my name in them is a way of sharing a little bit of the history of the book as an object.
"My earliest memory is that a friend and I would sit on a stairway that led to his apartment and look through a cigar box filled with things that his mother helped him collect: sparkly things, broken jewelry, rhinestones, gems. Not worth anything, but I remember thinking how wonderful that collection was. I think that had a big influence on me."
I had a VERY similar experience(s). Very formative for me. To this day I like to have boxes -- including cigar boxes -- of special (though rarely valuable) things scattered around.
At flea markets I'm really drawn to those glass-topped boxes most dealers have, in which you'll find a gold pocketknife, a lead soldier, a silver dollar, etc. If I were a wealthy man I think I'd just buy that entire box from each of those vendors and THAT would be my collection. Imagine a room with 100 of those on display. Probably I'm describing the inside of my brain...
Wonderful!
I love Michael's collections and how neatly organized they are!
Wonderful article! I have known Michael most of my life and he is a fascinating man! Great article! I loved it..
Extraordinary! Michael is a gem :))
Please stand closer… amen! (LOL)
So many wonderful and interesting things in this collection, and I really enjoyed the thoughtful conversation about the nuances of collecting. I'm also very impressed with how well behaved Gigi must be--my cat would never allow me to have that many "toys" within his reach!
I had the exact same thought about Gigi!
Thanks for this great interview. I agree with so many of his points and am in awe of his organization. My collections aren't on display and I need to fix that.
Meanwhile, here's the story I read just before I read this one: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/27/experience-ive-spent-decades-collecting-over-260-postboxes
Paul, Am so pleased with your handling of our interview. This article is wonderful! Fondly, Michael
Thanks for this wonderful interview, Paul! I also appreciate Michael's last comment about others enjoying his stuff at some point. In a similar vein, I always write my name in my books because I'm thinking about who will own them once I die (acquiring them from a used bookstore, or a Little Free Library or something), and writing my name in them is a way of sharing a little bit of the history of the book as an object.
All I can think is George Carlin's "Stuff" routine...
I still have to read the interview, but I immediately got jealous of that Pee Wee's Playhouse collection. I only have Pee Wee and Chairry.
Lovely! Thanks for this Paul.
"My earliest memory is that a friend and I would sit on a stairway that led to his apartment and look through a cigar box filled with things that his mother helped him collect: sparkly things, broken jewelry, rhinestones, gems. Not worth anything, but I remember thinking how wonderful that collection was. I think that had a big influence on me."
I had a VERY similar experience(s). Very formative for me. To this day I like to have boxes -- including cigar boxes -- of special (though rarely valuable) things scattered around.
At flea markets I'm really drawn to those glass-topped boxes most dealers have, in which you'll find a gold pocketknife, a lead soldier, a silver dollar, etc. If I were a wealthy man I think I'd just buy that entire box from each of those vendors and THAT would be my collection. Imagine a room with 100 of those on display. Probably I'm describing the inside of my brain...