Instructions
Collecting Souvenir Spoons
Decide what kind of spoon collection you want to create. Do you want to collect antique spoons or modern-day souvenir spoons, or a combination of both? Are you interested in a particular theme, for example, flowers, presidents or birds? Will your souvenir spoon collection be for your own enjoyment or is it an investment?
Educate yourself about souvenir spoons. There are books, websites and organizations dedicated to souvenir spoon collecting. Learn about the history and rarity of antique and modern-day souvenir spoons.
Consider what type of record keeping might be necessary. If you plan to resell any of your souvenir spoons, you need to keep track of where and when you bought them, and what you paid. For antique souvenir spoons, you want to be sure to have a place to store any related paperwork such as statements of authenticity.
Decide where and how to store the spoons. If you are collecting antique souvenir spoons, keep them safe from damage and handling. If you want to display them, consider a location away from children's curious fingers. In addition, since most spoons are silver, consider storing them in a way that inhibits tarnish. There are silver drawers and silver-inhibitor packets to add to storage containers.
Start collecting! Find modern-day souvenir spoons at tourist attractions, historic sites and museums. In addition, there are companies that create souvenir spoons to commemorate historic and important occasions. Look for antique souvenir spoons at auctions, flea markets, antique stores and online.
Refine your collecting. Over time, you may decide to change the focus of your souvenir spoon collecting. As your knowledge increases, rare and unusual souvenir spoons may become an appealing challenge. Alternatively, you may decide to add or change to another theme of spoons. You are becoming an expert in souvenir spoon collecting!