In the days before 24/7 business operations, collecting something often helped relieve everyday pressures – whether the collection involved coins, stamps, books or more exotic passions such as Depression-era cars or modern-day paintings. Today, the value of collecting to the individual and to society is almost lost. Too many executives are too busy making their businesses succeed to devote any time and effort to a collection. That’s a shame. If not for the efforts of serious collectors of the past, what would museums hang on their walls, mount on pedestals or display in glass cases? Who would keep the artifacts of our culture from ending up in trash dumps or savaged by weather and neglect? Those who assemble great collections are cultural heroes who deserve our constant appreciation. Take Dr. Joseph Kurstin, a retired Miami-based eye surgeon. Kurstin was once on a trip to Japan to inspect an historic netsuke – those miniature figures that hook over a kimono’s obi sash to counterbalance a purse or tobacco pouch. When his friend and fellow netsuke collector Ray Bushell (whose netsuke collection is an important part of the Japanese Pavilion at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art), heard about the trip, Bushel said he didn’t care when Kurstin returned to Tokyo, he wanted to be called immediately so he could see the netsuke for himself. Kurstin says that by the time he was back in his hotel room it was nearly 2 a.m. He called Bushell, who happily arose from a dead sleep and hurried over to examine Kurstin’s find. Passionate collectors like Kurstin and Bushell – or Norton Simon, whose art collection is the basis of the museum of the same name in Pasadena, or Thomas Jefferson, whose book collection restocked the Library of Congress after the British burned it in the War of 1812 – are highly dedicated, well informed and endlessly curious individuals who are driven to develop, expand and improve their acquisitions. While collectors have widely differing interests, span a broad range of ages, and represent hugely different asset bases, they all seem to have the same goal: to enjoy the beauty, appreciate the workmanship and understand the utility of the objects they collect while guarding against their destruction. Collectors ought to be praised for the unbidden services they perform for society; unfortunately, all too often their contributions are either ignored or disparaged. No more. The Ivory Education Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the understanding of the practical, artistic and decorative importance of ivory, is organizing the Collectors’ Conclave. It’s an exhibit of collections at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City on Nov. 30, along with a banquet to honor Kurstin and to pay tribute to all collectors for the contributions they make to our culture. Conclave speakers will also explore the possibility of redefining what constitutes an “antique” in the United States. Jewelry, for example, created in the art deco era or during the early post-World War II period are clearly not “antiques” in the classic U.S. definition of 100 years. Interestingly, that standard arose as part of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 because Congress determined that 1830 marked the start of mass production in the United States and only handcrafted items deserved to be given “antique” status. This accidental and questionable definition persists to the potential detriment of our culture by ignoring, for example, cars built in the 1930s and cell phones sold in the 1980s. Interestingly, the European Union defines antique as anything made before June 1, 1947, and the U.K. uses a moving 50-year definition. The 100-year standard makes no sense in light of the technological assault challenging our adaptability to innovation. Shouldn’t we consider using a term such as “distinguished” to identify objects of educational and collectable value that deserve the same protection, advantages and cultural veneration as older items? Rather than discouraging serious collectors by clinging to outdated concepts and rules, Washington ought to join us in providing collectors with accolades for what they do on behalf of our society. Godfrey Harris, a Los Angeles public policy consultant, is managing director of the Ivory Education Institute. He can be contacted at [email protected]. – How to reach us Guest Opinions: Op-ed pieces must be 700 to 800 words and on topics about the San Fernando Valley business community. Please submit op-ed ideas to [email protected].
