Acts of possession: collecting in America

Abstract

The success of internet auction sites like e-Bay and the cult status of public television's Antiques Roadshow attest to the continued popularity of collecting in American culture. The thriving market for mass-produced collectibles confirms that consumption patterns are imbued with layers of cultural significance-meanings largely determined within the realm of the marketplace. Acts of Possession investigates the ways cultural meanings of collections have evolved and yet remained surprisingly unchanged throughout American history. Drawing upon the body of theoretical work on collecting, the contributors investigate how, what, and why Americans have collected and why they are attracted to certain objects, exploring the inherent meanings behind systems of organization and display. Essays consider the meanings of Thomas Jefferson's Indian Hall at Monticello; the pedagogical theories behind nineteenth-century children's cabinets of curiosities; collections of Native American artifacts; and the ability of the owners of dollhouses to construct meaning within the context of Victorian ideals of domesticity. The authors also consider some darker aspects of collecting-hoarding, fetishism, and compulsive behavior-scrutinizing collections of racist memorabilia and fascist propaganda. The final essay posits the serial killer as a collector, an investigation into the dangerous objectification of humans themselves. Focusing on individual as opposed to museum collections, the contributors employ the methodology of several disciplines, including American studies, history, art history, and museum studies.