Hidden Gems: Using Collections in Museums to Discover the Motivations of Collectors

Abstract

Motivations and drives for collecting have varied through time. From amassing as many examples of different species or artefacts in the sixteenth century to highlighting the importance and strength of the British Empire in the eighteenth century. General trends are seen across historic collections in museums. In an attempt to understand the motivations behind individual collectors, this paper reviews the lives of four mineral collectors from the collections in The Box, Plymouth: Sir John St. Aubyn (175801839), Colonel Sir William Serjeant (1857–1930), René Gallant (1906–1985), and Richard Barstow (1947–1986). Combined they acquired over 4,000 minerals, mostly from the South West of the British Isles. Through examining their lives and collections we may gain insight into their motivations, presenting an opportunity to exhibit new narrative and story-telling alongside the specimens, and in doing so, enriching the visitor experience.