In Flagrante Collecto

by Marilynn Gelfman Karp

According to author Marilynn Gelfman Karp, collecting is a calling; and those who are driven to collect unloved objects are the purest collectors of all. In this literary and sophisticated celebration of humble objects, Karp shares her passionate insights on what she calls the "rapture of the capture."

In Flagrante Collecto is a vividly illustrated book that is equal parts cultural history, personal memoir, and coffee table objet d'art. The 1000 color photographs that fill this book tell stories of lost and found objects. Ignored by many, these figural matchbooks, buttons, erasers, cigar rings, pictorial seed packets, and other items are hunted and gathered with Ahab-like tenacity at flea markets, antique shops, and collectible shows worldwide.

This lovingly assembled volume is a fascinating compendium of material culture as told by an incredible array of objects.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

368 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karp’s collecting is breathtaking in its range, and this book, between its photos and her descriptions, does it justice. Interesting both as an aid to understanding the mind of the collector, and for all the delicious details she supplies about the collected.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is gorgeous. and for anyone even remotely interested in collecting, or the concept of collecting, this book is great.

[Kevin]

an ongoing read. i need to understand why i collect what i collect!