Library collecting competition 2024
Thanks to everyone who entered this year’s Library collecting competition. We received some really great entries, featuring a diverse range of collections, and thoroughly enjoyed them all, making the final decision really tough. So tough in fact, that instead of three prizes, our judges eventually settled on six winners!
Below you can see some information about each collection from our winning entrants, alongside an image of their collection. Big congratulations go to our six winners, and another huge thank you to everyone who entered.
Kathryn Burton’s earring collection.
Kathryn has ‘over 200 pairs of earrings, most from small businesses, that I have been collecting over the last several years. This collection includes almost 30 pairs of Christmas/winter seasonal earrings, of which I make myself an earring advent calendar each year. Supporting small business in creating my collection has been hugely important to me and I have a few favourites who I repeatedly buy from, however, I have purchased/been gifted earrings from over 15 small businesses. I do make a point of wearing every pair that I own, even if that means most pairs only get one wear a year, though, I do have favourites which I return to often.
I am always adding to my collection and looking for new businesses to support if anyone has any recommendations.’
Tim Fitzpatrick’s mountain of sugar packets.
‘About 25 years ago I was leaving a cafe and I popped a couple of unused sugar sachets into my pocket. In that moment I was thinking of the times when I was out and about with a flask of coffee but nothing to sweeten it with. For some reason this thought became habit forming and, as the stash of sugar grew way beyond what was reasonable, I became increasingly intrigued in the varied designs from one cafe to the next.
Whilst it is and was commonplace to find the ubiquitous packet of Tate and Lyle (amongst others), I became much more interested in the cafes that took the trouble (and had the resources) to brand their own in-house sachets of sugar. So the sugar collection then became as much a record of my travels (with names and addresses of cafes) as it was a record of sugar sachet design from the late 1990s to the present. The large and annoying irony is that whenever I find myself out and about with a flask of coffee I still have no sugar. My personal collection is way too special to be dissolved into a hot beverage.’
Veronika Vit’s collection of cowrie shells.
Veronika started her collection of cowrie shells, or Groatie Buckies, while studying in the Orkney Islands. ‘An information sign describing the cultural heritage surrounding my nearest beach mentioned a folklore that said Groatie Buckies could be found on this beach and that they would bring good luck and wealth to their finder.
I was intrigued and so began my ‘career’ as a beach comber. However, as these tiny shells are rare and difficult to spot, it took me a while to develop an eye for them and be successful. This activity helped me clear my head, especially during stressful exam periods, and boosted my mental wellbeing as it made my day when the search was successful.
Collecting these shells made me think of the people of the past who evidently came to the same beaches to beautify their daily lives by using shells as decorations, or about the people who kept them due to superstitious beliefs. I have a proud collection of 56 pieces, varying in size, some of them exceptionally small. Yet, there is one special piece missing from my collection. I read of someone finding a Groatie Buckie on the East Sands in St Andrews. Determined to enrich my collection with a special find from St Andrews, the search continues…’
Ross Christie’s collection of 70+ artist books and zines.
‘Back in my fine art days in Edinburgh, I used to create my own artist books. Exhibiting them, visiting zine fairs, and talking to other creators led me to build this collection through swaps and purchases.
These treasures have been tucked away in a big suitcase for a few years, but every now and then I add a new purchase to the collection. Each addition is an excuse to dive back in and flip through my all-time favorites!
I’ve got a few stand-outs: Two copies of Uncle Chop Chop, showcasing black and white art works from Glasgow’s art scene from the late 2000s; exquisitely crafted books by Miniature Garden Press (they even let me crash on their floor during the New York Art Book Fair in 2010); and some well-loved first editions from Swiss zine publishers Nieves Books.
To me, this collection is a snapshot of an era when artist self-publishing was a vibrant scene, full of people who were looking for alternatives to the mainstream art market. It was a warm, welcoming, international community – and I’m glad that I can visit zine and artist book fairs now and see that this scene is still going strong!’
Emily Pouzhyk’s Porcelain dames.
‘Originally called “Dames of the Epoch” (Rus. “Дамы Эпохи”), this collection celebrates women in classic literature, regional dress, film, and historical figures. Each of the dolls is unique, handmade.
Seven years ago, I started hunting for these dolls in the kiosks across Belarus with the joint effort of my mother, grandmothers, great aunts, and cousins. Released once every two weeks, the dolls made their way through kiosks in different cities in Belarus, which initiated strategic research and travel to different parts of Belarus to acquire certain dolls. This allowed me to bond with my relatives and initiate investigative road trips — an experience that is as precious as the collection.
My goal for this collection is to keep expanding, keep reading the books tied to each of these characters, and one day present them in a gallery.
(P.S. Shoutout to my father Sergei for financially sponsoring this collection and installing these dolls on the wall!)’
Demi Van Breukelen’s collection of late Victorian/Edwardian photographs and postcards.
These are part of Demi’s ‘larger collection of books, magazines, fashion plates, and trinkets from the same period. I collect them simply because I like their aesthetic — the beautiful clothes and hairstyles, the dreamy looks!
The postcards are also quite touching; some of them are written by ww1 soldiers to their partners back home. I always wonder what happened to these people… That is also a reason why I like collecting these; it feels like I am taking a little piece of history into my own home. All these cards and photos belonged to people, they have stories attached to them. They make history tangible for me.’
Each of our winners claims a £10 gift card, from either Topping & Co book sellers, Taste coffee shop, or Amazon. If you have a collection, keep an eye out for our next round the collecting competition late in 2025.
For all student collectors, the 10th Anniversary James David Forbes collecting Prize will begin taking entries from January. You can find more information on the University Collections website.