A Passionate Affair

People collect everything from vintage cars to buttons and lunch boxes, but what type of person collects paperweights? Find out by reading this book by Art Elder, paperweight collector, historian, recognized authority, and past president of the Paperweight Collectors Association of Texas, Inc. In it, he describes his passion for paperweights, their attraction, and the journey they have taken him on in an autobiographical sketch of the past 30 years. Scholars and experts have written other books about paperweights, but none in recent history have described the intricacies and delicacies of collecting them. This is the first book about collecting paperweights, written by a collector, from a collector’s viewpoint! In this book, Art tells of how he became interested in paperweights and how that interest grew into a 30-year passionate affair, and some of his encounters along "The Yellow Brick Road" of collecting. He describes where fine paperweights are found, how to select them, and also some interesting encounters along the way. Defining moments are included that were indelible in forming his collecting philosophy. These stories help the reader to get "into the mind" of a collector! Finally, advice on caring for a collection that he or she has gathered through the years is offered, along with a glossary to help the reader understand paperweight terminology, and a comprehensive bibliography of past literature. Pictures of paperweights in his collection are illustrated in breathtaking clarity, and the significance of each is described. This entertaining and educational book will appeal not only to readers interested in paperweights and are wanting more information about them, but also to many others with a variety of interests in collecting.