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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNÉSDAY, APRIL8,1987, PAGE 7 _ PAGE SEVEN COLLECTING Those of you who read this column regularly will not be surprised when I say that I like old things - I have an old house in the core area of Whitby which I am gradually restoring (my wife wishes it was less gradual) and for many years I have been collecting things to put around the house when it is finished. As someone who has been in and around museums for most of my adult life, I generally fancy myself as being somewhat more informed than the average collector, but like most, I have made my share of mistakes. However, collectors, like bettors at the racetrack, only talk about their wins, never their gaffs. Read any book on collecting anything whether it is antiques or plates or bottle caps and the message is the same - before you spend any money, know your subject intimately, then go to a reputable dealer. But that takes all the fun out of it - it's the flea markets, the garage sales and the auctions that make colecting interesting and challenging. It's the guessing game - is it a bargain or is it junk? - that keeps the adrenalin flowing. It's the pride of,being able to show off a prize piece and telling your friends that you picked it up for a quarter (or even better, a tenth) of what it's worth. I have also found that it really doesn't matter how much you've read about your narticular line of collectables - when vou Eet to the auction or the flea market, you are confronted with a host of objects similar to, but not the same as the ones in your books. (And I have one book, for example, which lists some 3,500 different kitchen gadgets.) Do you sit back and watch other people buy or do, you throw caution to the wind and throw your money in the ring? Do you believe the auctioneer when lie says "I think its oak."? (In my ex-. perience, when an auctioneer says "I think..." or "It looks like... oak, or pine, or mahogany, it's probably wood.) I like to convince myself that the stuff that isn't in collector books is more valuable than the stuff that is. After all, if the authors of these "standard" references which illustrate hundreds of exam- ples of every possible artifact never came across a piece like mine, it follows that it's rarer than the ones they've illustrated. And if it's rarer, it should be worth more. Those pieces which can be found inthe reference books are in- variably displayed with the book open beside them and a sign ("as illustrated in'Pain, pg. ...") incase.the book should get moved. The price is, of course, appropriately higher. Beware though. I once saw a table presented in just that way and while there was no doubt that the legs were antique, the top was made of plywood very neatly disguised to look like the original - and that was supposedly a reputable dealer. The best rule is to buy what you like, that way at least if you pay too much, you can still enjoy it. In terms of price, it depends on what you can afford. If you can afford the best, you can also afford to make some mistakes. If you're strapped for funds, stick to the things you feel comfortable with. We all dream of having unlimited cash to build the ultimate collection and a very few do have that opportunity. One of the things I like to collect is lighting devices and one of the authorities in that field is Catherine Thuro. I'm not sure what her husband does or where their money came from but in a period of a little over ten years, this Canadian woman acquired one of the fixiest and most complete collections of kerosene (and other) lighting devices anywhere. Wherever she encountered a particularlyfime piece she was able to say "I'll take it." without regard to pricé- and some of her pieces are worth in the tens of thousands of dollars. It would be easy to condemn such extravagance except that she carefully researched her growing collection and in the process has become one of the leading North American authorities on the subject. She has also amassed a collection which will eventually be housed in a public museum in Niagara Falls, Ont. Much as we may envy wealth and scorn the acquisitiveness of the rich, we owe most of the major collections in our museums to their generosity. But let's get back to the more mundane world of collecting the af- fordable. Why do people collect? Like any hobby, it gives people something to do, and it gives them something they can show to others. A collection is a psychological extension of our per- sonalities. Virtuaily all collectors harbor the fond hope that their collections will increase in value. Some regard their purchases as investmen- ts. Periodically, I receive mail from the Bradford exchange telling me that I should buy the latest Norman Rockwell (or some other) plate because based on the value of previous issues, this one will be worth its weight in gold in a few years or so they say. Frankly, I'm very suspicious of modern plates and figurines or for that matter, anything that is produced in so-called "limited editions." The value of anything is based on its apparent scarcity and the concept of a limited edition is designed to evoke an impression of scarcity. In fact, the numbers produced of a limited edition is determined by how many the market can absorb in a limited period of time - in other words, market saturation - so much for scarcity. I am not at all optimistic that limited edition plates, coins, figurines, and prints will maintain their value. The value of most old things is based partly on scarcity and par- tly on craftmanship. I have no hesitation in paying $300 for a solid wood antique table because I know I would pay as much for somethinig of fibreboard at Leon's or the Brick. I figure that if an item could not be crafted today for the listed price, it's a good deal and I get something unique and interesting at no extra charge. By GEORGe. ASHE DURHAM WEST MPP One of my recent columrs criticized the major oil companies for their control of the market- place, their substantial price in- crease coincidental with the federal tax increase of one cent per litre, and their growing differential bet- ween leaded and unleaded price. I called it a rip-off. I still do! In a recent edition of a local newspaper, the manager of public affairs for Shell Canada, J.L. Mariash, responded to my previous column. Fair ball. Shell complains that the industry was due for a two cent increase because of higher crude prices and decided to add that to the one cent tax increase all at once rather than two sepàrate increases. He also says the increase was three cents not five as I had indicated. Well if he had checked, at least in our market area, Toronto and north and east of Toronto, he would find that the increase was five cents. Mr. mariash of Shell goes on to defend the widening price spread between leaded and unleaded gasoline by once again blaming the federal government. The differen- tial is caused, according to him by, "The Federal Government's decision to reduce the amount of lead allowable in gasoline." Fair enough, that might account for the increase, but what about the gross differential to start with? I have done further research on the extra costs associated with the further refining of unleaded products. The cost was about a half cent a litre for regular unleaded and no more than one cent a litre for premium unleaded. So even if new federal standards have in- creased costs, why was it go high to start with? I will not even get into the return on investment argument as, for an integrated oil company with many parts, picking out part of the stream is a red herring. I still stand by my .original column. Be wary as a consumer and shop around. Don't frequent the brand that's the first to increase price and usually the last to decrease price. By the way, it wa,interesting This space has been set aside for well-developed comments on issues of local concern. Articles of preferàbly 7)00 - 1000 words may be submitted by any concerned individuals whether politician or private citizen. Send to the attention of the editor at Box 206. Whitby. Ont. LI N 5S1. or leave ai the Free Press of- fice ai 13 1iBrock St. N. I still say it's a gas ripoff!, that Shell was the company that responded. It just so happens that the Shell station at White's Road and Highway 2 usually leads the market in our area. That station usually lowers prices first and raises prices last. I wonder if that is why that station is, I am told, one of the largest volume Shell out-ets? Possibly, just possibly, consumers are becoming better "shoppers." Service not satisfactory By SCOTT FENNELL MP ONTARIO RIDING This week I would like to discuss a very "hot" topic, one which affec- ts all residents of Ontario riding, some moreso than others, namely postal delivery. I am well aware of the adjectives that immediately come to mind when Iutter the word Canada Post - and I can assure you that I have used many myself. However, I thought that I should use this oppor- tunity to explain my feelings on the mail delivery service, and set the record straight on what I am trying accomplish for Ontario riding residents. I receive many letters and calls from my constituents complaiming about Canada Post; the complaints range from slow or late delivery to objections to the installation of supermailboxes on a homeowner's property. I have often said that if it wasn't for all the problems I receive from Canada Post, I would have half the amount of correspon- dence to answer. I agree that it is not equitable for new homeowners to not receive the same service as that of established neighborhoods, and 1 made this point in the beginning when I first heard of supermailboxes. I have been a proponent of alternate day home delivery for these residents, but my suggestions were not agreed upon, and in any event, the supermailbox concept was already initiated by the previous ad- ministration at that time. As I have said, I agree that supermailboxes are certainly a poor alternative to door-to-door mail delivery; however, many of my constituents have agreed that this is better service than having to go to the post office to pick up their mail. On the other hand, I have had many complaints from constituents who do not want a supermailbox located on or near their property. Each of these complaints is dealt with separately, and needless to say, achieving an acceptable solution is a very lengthy and in- volved process. Contrary to common belief, I ap- preciate receiving your comments as it adds fuel to my fight with Canada Post; underscoring the fact that Canadians are not, and will never be, satisfied with this type of service. I will continue until I have achieved results satisfactory to all.