Page 101 - Issues131-133

pieces to be collected without being clear about the "why" they acquired them, more than the
fact of enlarging the “collection”.

In any type of collection there are specificities, and veteran collectors are the ones who have
this concept clearer, since sooner or later, be it for reasons of space, money or extension, it
is necessary to focus on a certain specialization within the type of collection chosen
collectibles.

In this sense, and already within our field of collectors of mini liquor bottles, it is usual that
those who start, have done so because a relative gave them a bottle, or because they were
able to access one of these on a plane or a hotel, or simply because they entered a liquor
store and they found the design of these miniatures beautiful. And so, without further ado,
this person added all kinds of liquors to his fledgling collection, with no pretensions other
than to enlarge the collection day by day. But there comes a time when, when placing them
in the showcases, the collector wonders if they are grouped by type of liquor, by country, by
container material (ceramic, glass or plastic), by colour, by shape, ... or for whatever comes
to mind. And it is at this stage where the person should consider whether it is convenient for
them to specialize in something specific, and learn everything within their reach on that
subject, or continue piling up "without rhyme or reason". Of course, each individual is free to
build their collection in the way they like best, and there are no pre-established rules... but
there are people with more experience who can contribute their ideas and experiences along
the path they have already travelled.

For this, precisely, clubs like ours and many others that are scattered around the world are
used, face-to-face meetings, and spaces on social networks, where people with more
seniority and knowledge contribute their knowledge. Honestly, and I point this out without
disparaging anyone- I think there is no greater merit in accumulating bottles and more
bottles for the mere fact of "reaching a certain number" without even knowing the origin and
type of each of these miniatures.

The obsession of the hoarder, even when he does not have space or budget problems, can
give rise to a meaningless race, in which quantity prevails over the quality of the pieces.
Today, to give a simple example, a collection of 5,000 bottles of fruity liqueurs from Central
Europe cannot be compared with a select collection of 200 Japanese whiskies. Finally: I
have no doubt that the collector who incorporates little bottles "one by one", remembering
where and when he acquired them, and finding out details of each one, feels much more
comforted than the one who bought "in bulk".

Jorge Rey Valzacchi

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