Hello All,

I joined this list to consider entering the museum job market, getting away from the software instruction and administration that now pays the bills. I am a collector and historian, specializing in and actively researching the roots of amateur photography, primarily 1880-1930. I have a large collection of cameras, images, and ephemera, and am now interested in turning the years of information I've amassed into a new career. I do not have a degree in anything even remotely related to museums, but have an extensive library of museum-related handling and cataloging procedures. I use these procedures on my own collection, which is essentially its own small museum. I rotate exhibits throughout my house and invite colleagues to visit when they are in town.

So my question to the braintrust is:  Do any of you have first-hand knowledge of "collectors" entering the museum ranks? And is "collector" a bad word in museum ranks, since they are the ones who go after pieces that museums should possess instead? I'd much rather call myself an historian, since it is not enough for me to own a piece without knowing everything about its marketing, usage, social and cultural impact, etc.

Very curious to hear your comments - I have enjoyed all the discussion on this list so far.

Paul Barone
Los Angeles, CA
Owner/Webmaster, BoxCameras.com
www.boxcameras.com
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