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The Collector, By Gary A. Anderson, Interpretive Specialist
2/4/2010
When I began working for the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center 10 years ago, I knew about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but to tell you the truth I really hadn’t paid a whole lot of attention to it. Other than my two or three days given to it during my high school days, it was just another part of my regular education. However, once I took the job as interpreter, I couldn’t get enough information concerning the expedition. So my collecting days began.
Every book or almost all of them that dealt with the Expedition soon began appearing in my library of history books. Last count, somewhere around 60 of them have found their way onto my bookshelves. Next came the art work, my basement walls are covered with it. All of the Michael Haynes prints are there along with bicentennial posters of Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark, a display case of nearly 100 hat pins from every state they passed through, framed maps of the expedition, post cards, and many photographs of Lewis and Clark events I have attended over the past 10 years. If it has anything to do with Lewis and Clark you can be sure I already have it or you can bet I will try to acquire it.
My newest gig is collecting postal cachets, one day cancellations from the US Postal Service. As my wife has said many times, “Oh no there he goes again.” These cachets are another form of art only this art is on post cards and envelopes. I’ve only just begun this new hobby.
My biggest problem is wall space. Second biggest problem is money. Third biggest problem “ Oh no there he goes again.” I could be wrong about the order in which these “biggest problems” are listed. Oh I forgot the DVD’s, CD’s and VHS’s on the shelf next to the big screen TV.
Do I need counseling? Should I stop the Lewis and Clark craze? Do I need to get a grip? Sacagawea’s sons birthday is coming up on February 11th. There just maybe a chance to do some more collecting. I just might have to begin that collection of Maximilian and Bodmer, oh silly me I already have. According to my Lewis and Clark watch it’s time to go.
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