I like collecting things. I picked up the habit fifty years ago. I'm not sure where it comes from. No one in my biologic family has been a collector of any kind. Not art, antiques, books, etc. Not even a small, idiosyncratic collection of trifles. At one point I met a collector and he explained the idea to me. "I only buy something that I know I can sell for twice as much....today." That was one of his rules. Examining his large holdings, including valuable art that he bought at auctions, I began to see the world through his eyes. He had a gift for placing nearly any object in the century when it was made, and the country of origin as well. This was the result of years of study, and handling a vast amount of articles. He spent long hours pouring over, say, a little Egyptian statuette, even translating the writing carved into it. Collecting served several purposes for him: he rescued many interesting things from obscurity and gave them a secure home. Also, he learned about life through these artifacts, and also became wealthy as a result of his passion. A highly successful undertaking. I am not a collector like my friend. I would prefer to spend my hard-earned money on art supplies which I use for making my own art. But now and then I still discover something I can afford.