Title

Greg Koos

Publication Date

3-1-2016

Comments

An abstract of this interview is available below. A transcription is available for download above and to the right. An essay summarizing themes that emerged from interviews conducted about Myers in 2016 is available: Portrait of a Collector: Reflections on an Influential Bibliophile.

This interview subject is affiliated with IWU and/or President Myers in the following ways: Executive Director Emeritus, McLean County Museum of History.

Abstract

Koos is a fellow collector who shared an interest in "old things" with Myers. While Myers came to the Museum, Koos knew him more from seeing him at flea markets, antique stores and Babbit's Books. He also states that he shared a friendly competition in acquiring items for a low price. Koos characterized this as bottom-feeding but also knew Myers would pay more if he wanted something enough. Koos believes some of Myers' collecting could have had investment value in mind but that is was not likely a motivation; he later observes that there is little value in bookcollecting since the internet made comparisons across the market possible. He tells a story of Myers and his wife Ellen making cookies from a rec ipe in an old book. He concludes Myers had a curiosity about the world that was the "fuel" for his activities. Throughout Koos remarks on the nature of collecting.

Streaming Media

Duration

00:49:02

Keywords

collector, collecting techniques, personal characteristics, books, furniture, gem stones, Renaissance Man, humanist, Ebay, competition, libraries, Portrait of a Collector

Disciplines

United States History

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