While working on my Less 365 project, I "decluttered" my childhood badge collection: taking a photo of the whole collection as a memento, then keeping just a few favourites with special sentimental meaning. I had totally intended to do this for some of my other childhood collections but not got round to it (oops).
So, when I found myself at a loose end the other day what did I do? Took photos of my novelty eraser collection, of course!
I haven't counted them, but there are quite a few erasers in the collection!
I think most of them date from the late 80s to the early 90s, basically while I was in primary school and spending my pocket money on cute nonsense like this. I vividly remember buying some of these erasers while on a summer holiday at Butlins, some were obviously bought on school trips and family outings to museums and theme parks (several of which I'd totally forgotten I'd ever visited) and others were gifts from my mother, tucked into the pockets of our Advent Trees.
I especially love the comb and the windmill (it has plastic blades that spin!)...
... the smiley-face-in-a-box that I won playing croquet at a friend's birthday party and the treble clef I got when I was taking piano lessons...
... the retro telephone and those cute kittens...
... the interlocked rabbit and baby rabbit...
... and the rainbow clothes peg. So much cuteness!
I'm going to keep just a few of these that tug at my heartstrings - any suggestions for what I should do with the rest? I'd hate for them to just get thrown away, but I suspect that's exactly what might happen if I donated them to a charity shop.
UPDATE: the erasers have found a new home with a collector, hurrah! I donated the money raised to a children's charity - it seemed appropriate given that these gave me so much happiness in my own childhood :)
P.S. for more 80s kid nostalgia, here's a blog post about my sticker album!
20 comments:
Ooh this is making me feel very nostalgic! Bringing back memories of school trips and things :)
Why don't you put them in a shadow box to hang in a wall of your home? I think it will be so nice!!!
xxxxx ale
This took me right back to childhood, I remember some of these. Such a great collection. My heart is saying oh no, don't part with them, but I know that's not very practical lol.
I love Alessandra's idea for the shadow box.
I love your eraser collection, I use to collect key chains for a youngman in the UK.
I used to love collecting erasers too and then at some point I started using them and then I gave some to my pupils and now they are all gone!Make cards out of them. Glue one on a card and send as a gift or give them to a teacher to give away at their pupils.AriadnefromGreece!
When I found my collection my daughter asked for them. She has added to the collection. Just taking the lid off the box takes me back.
Maybe donate to primary school? When I was a teacher I would have put them in my prize box as kids still love novelty erasers.
Beautiful collection!!!! Love the lightbulbs :)
I personally would keep them and perhaps somehow display them (like Alessandra suggested).
or put them on eBay, some other collectors will appreciate them :)
Martina x
Put the ones you love most in a shadow box and put the rest of the collection on e-bay..someone is going to love this....it's wonderful.
Wow, I totally forgot owning these but now I recognise so many of them! As a kid I collected pretty much anything, apparently including erasers. I remember my sister had one of a roller skate with wheels that really worked :) I think I was a little jealous of it.
I agree with the Ebay option: if you offer them there as a collection they will be sure to go to someone who appreciates them.
I agree with the shadow box idea! they are so awesomely cute!!
I recognise some of these from my childhood too! Definitely donate them to a charity shop. My 3 year old collects rubbers and we buy bags of them whenever we see them for sale!
Wow they all look so new! As a child I couldn't keep myself from using my lovely erasers though I knew I shouldn't :)
Thanks for all the suggestions! :)
I'm still deciding what I'm going to do with these but it's been so nice sharing the pics with you guys xxx
I'd glue gun it to a board and make it into art! Love the music ones, my beau has a box of them and gives them out as prizes for his class.
Oh my gosh, this is amazing! Coincidentally, I'm currently researching for my MA thesis and it's all about collecting, so I wondered if you would be interested in taking part in my questionnaire? It's pretty short, you can find the questions are here:
https://objectmemories.wordpress.com/2015/05/29/collecting-a-questionnaire-reminder
I would really appreciate your contribution if you have the time!
Best wishes,
Katie
Hi there. I love the way you have arranged these to take pictures of them. Even the pictures would make great canvases. What did you decide to do with them?
Thanks Jude - it took a while to arrange them all but it was totally worth it! I'm still looking for a good home for them :)
I collect erasers and think this collection would sell on ebay. Alternately I would be happy to take them off your hands and add them to my collection! :-)
Update: A home has been found! Hurrah! :)
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