Collector Conversations -- Bill.D #1
Comic book collector Bill.D talks about his collection; shares when and why he started collecting, and reveals his post archiving plans for the collection.
“Comic books to me are fairy tales for grown-ups”
Bill's Comic Book Collection
Sometimes, you just have to start.
I just moved 49 boxes of approx. 250 comics per box into my living room!
These boxes are presumably one-third of my husband’s comic book collection which he started collecting at age 13 and which ended 15 years ago when we were married.
During the past 15 years, I thought little of the comic books except for those times my in-laws would mention the lot in Bill’s mother’s basement and backyard storage; the unidentified amount in him sister’s garage; and the boxes in the storage room which was ye-long by ye-wide. The occasional playful threat by a sibling to sell a copy or wily comment to be remembered on auction day piqued my curiosity in the size of the collection but interest repeatedly waned with the knowledge that I would be responsible for organizing the lot.
When we bought our house and the cost of public storage became noticeable, Bill and I visited his storage space and sifted through the stories of his past—articles of a life lived before me. Even then I found his military uniforms and dated clothing more interesting than the 114 linear feet of comics that occupied most of the space. For seven years those boxes lived in our garage pressing ever so often on my consciousness when I’d consider, what else can I do with this space!?
Recently, when the garage became crowded with left over party supplies, seasonal decorations, and stuff-I-will-use-someday, I moved the boxes into the basement. The need to tackle these boxes became more pressing when they physically obstructed my basement’s walkway but this blockage and eye soar was not viewed by house guests so it was still OK. My husband’s occasional reminders; our common concern for the boxes’ proximity to the heat; and their subterraneous placement in a house built in a flood zone still didn’t raise its organization higher on my task list … but it was getting up there.
The move upstair is the last great pre-processing haul initiated by the need to use the basement area for a different purpose – this time, as an indoor gym and workout area; and the collection’s conspicuous placement in my living room will also obviate procrastination and help keep me at task. Still, one of the benefits of archiving Bill’s comics at this time is that, unlike 15 or 7 years ago, I am now better qualified to work with the materials and see the project through. Creating archives, processing collections, cataloging content and creating metadata has taught me that, in the onset, you don’t need to know anything about a particular collection (which is true of me and comics) only the principles of archiving and organization. I have also developed an interest in Comics as a literary genre instigated by the Marvel movies I’ve since watched and enjoyed. I also look forward to exploring the ways in which my experience organizing this collection connects with larger issues within the archival field. For at least these reasons sifting through boxes and boxes of comic books seems less daunting and I look forward to this exploratory journey.
Thanks for joining me!
“Nothing happens until something moves”
Post #1
Here Goes Something ...
Hiya readers --
It is I, Deidre Dinnigan. Archivist, Heritage Specialist, and Proprietor of this website and its associated business, ForKeeps Inc.
This is my very first blog post ever, ever! I was told to write… something … sometime … and there appears to be no better time than the present to start.
I read somewhere that blogging, as standard practice, can aid ones’ professional development along many lines so here I am ready to blog my view on things. As a newbie, I am apprehensive about using this very public “safe-space” to share my thoughts, but I am excited by the opportunity to share more about my work, contribute to the larger conversations being had in my profession and discuss all things archive and heritage related.
I’d like to commit to a weekly post or commentary, and barring something beyond my control, I’ll be here every Wednesday by EOD with something topically timely.
If you are an archive professional or are simply interested in the world of archives and heritage work come visit me sometime. I encourage comments and questions.
So please share your thoughts for what I hope will be lively blog correspondences.