The Association For All Collectors. If you collect, you need NAC.

The National Association of Collectors was acquired by Americana Resources, Inc, Gaithersburg, Maryland, an antiques and collectibles corporation, on January 1, 2002.

The National Association of Collectors (NAC) identifies and addresses those needs and concerns that are common to all collectors. Some of these areas include: appraisals; security; insurance; conservation, preservation and restoration; displaying collections; collection management; dispersal and estate planning; development of research techniques and utilizing new technologies; networking and educational opportunities for collectors.

NAC provides individual collectors with a broad range of information and resources. NAC offers a collector insurance program and NAC members are offered reduced prices on a broad range of products and services provided by our Partners through the Collectors Trade Show.

Most NAC information is conveyed through the official website of NAC - Collectors.Org - the place to get collecting information. Information features on Collectors.org include a variety of calendars and directories including the best club directory data base on the Internet, an extensive flea market directory, auctioneers' directory and a whole cafeteria of other services. News and current issues affecting collectors can be found in the Collectors News Service. The NAC website exists to serve collectors.

Complimenting NAC, Americana Resources also operates a "sister" organization, the Association of Collecting Clubs (ACC). This association exists to support and strengthen all types of collecting groups by working closely with the leadership of these groups. ACC currently is working with over 5,000 collecting clubs. The knowledge base of the memberships of these collecting clubs provides another huge source of information available to members of NAC.

Background

When Collectors.Org was launched by Americana Resources in the mid-1990's, it's stated purpose was that: "This site is primarily targeted at collector organizations or clubs and their members, with a broader secondary audience being ALL collectors."

Collectors.Org soon became the designated website of the National Association of Collectors which was founded in 1996 by Harry L. Rinker, president of Rinker Enterprises, Inc, Emmaus, Pennsylvania and Jim Tucker, founder & director of Antique & Collectible Associations, Davidson, North Carolina. The stated goal of NAC originally was "to identify and address those needs and concerns that are common to all collectors." This remains the goal of the National Association of Collectors today.

Over the years, Collectors.Org has developed into a major FREE information website for collecting clubs--serving club leaders, their members and the entire antiques, art and collectibles industry. Both NAC and ACC use Collectors.Org as their combined official website.

Current NAC Program Areas

A number of program areas have been identified as areas for NAC involvement. This is based primarily on the relationships between Collectors.Org and collectors in many hobby areas.

The current identified program areas are:

History of Collecting

The history of collecting, in general, is not well documented, although it has been an integral part of most civilizations for centuries.

What is Collectible?

There truthfully may not be a single type of item that somewhere, somebody collects. However, certainly some items are far more collectible than others for various reasons.

Why People Collect?

Most people collect and display something during their life time. People love to collect...and many are very good at it!

How to Start a Collection

Perhaps with the existence of the Internet, starting a collection may be easier today than ever before, however this also brings more pitfalls for new collectors. Learn some pointers on avoiding these areas and where to get reliable information.

Caring for your Collection

Obviously different types of collections require different forms of care. Some general tips on caring for collections are given.

Factors Influencing the Value of Your Collection

This is an important area, particularly if you are a serious collector and at some point intend to sell or dispose of your collection for a profitable purpose.

Collection Management

Offering guidelines and resources on how to develop or analyze your own personal collection management as it relates to your personal life, interests, collecting goals and other factors.

Appraisals

Providing information from the various professional appraisal associations, including when you need an appraisal, how to go about selecting the "correct" appraiser and what to expect.

Auctions

Information about auctions and auctioneers, including data banks on auction houses available and upcoming auctions.

Security/Insurance

Collection security is a growing concern and will be addressed from a number of different points including physical collection security and insurance needs.

Conservation/Preservation/Restoration

Providing a major data base on specialists - conservators, preservationists and restorers - giving their specialties and how to reach them, plus other information relating to this broad area.

Displaying Collections

Pointers on how to appropriately display your personal collection depending on your objectives and pointers relating to various types of displays and displaying pitfalls.

Collection Dispersal & Estate Planning

If your collection has value - be it financial value or intrinsic value - you need to document a dispersal and estate plan, if not for your own personal gratification, for the comfort and satisfaction of your family and/or heirs.

Development of Research Skills & Utilizing New Technologies

Assisting collectors with the huge, ever changing knowledge base and the various technological resources available to help collectors may well be one of the largest benefits that NAC can provide.

Reproductions, Fakes and Frauds

Many collecting areas are plagued by the problem of reproductions, fakes and/or fantasy items. A serious collector needs to become completely educated about what items have been reproduced or "faked" in their area of collecting. Likewise, collectors must be constantly alert to the potential of fraud in their dealings while buying or trading collectibles. This area will provide resources relating to the area of reproductions in dozens of collecting fields.

Networking & Educational Opportunities

Understanding how collectors can "network" with other collectors - both from within and outside their immediate collecting area - can be a key to collecting success and can often lead to extended collecting enjoyment as a part of quality living. This goes hand in hand with educational opportunities as it relates to both collecting enjoyment and collecting success. The best collector is the educated collector.

Additional NAC Services

As NAC grows, it is anticipated that the services will be expanded proportionately. The following services are presently in place and operational:

Collectors.Org

Collectors.Org is the place to get collecting information. As the official website of the National Association of Collectors and the Association of Collecting Clubs, the site's primary purpose is to provide information for collectors, collecting clubs and the entire antiques, art and collectibles industry.

Information features on Collectors.Org include a variety of calendars and directories, news and current issues affecting collectors and the full line of services for NaC and ACC.

Some of the site features include a comprehensive Collecting Clubs Directory, Flea Market Directory, Auctioneers Directory, Club Conventions & Events Schedule, Directory of Collecting Web Rings, Directory of Collectibles Glossaries, Collectors News Service, Collectors Trade Show, Restoration Directory, Hobby Protection Act and much more.

Help From the Clubs

NAC's "sister" association, the Association of Collecting Clubs, works with the leadership of 5,000 collecting clubs. Each of these clubs - which cover hundreds of collecting areas - are a ready resource to members of NAC. Most of these clubs, through their memberships, represent the backbone of the knowledge base for the collecting area they serve. This is a remarkable "in place" resource at your disposal.

Collector Insurance Program

Your NAC membership entitles you to participate in the Collector Insurance Program administered by Association Insurance Administrators - an insurance program designed by collectors for collectors. You will not find lower rates. No appraisals are required. Truly "All-Risk" coverage with hassle free claim settlement. Coverage provided by the largest insurer of Art and Collectibles in the world and is rated A (Excellent).

Collectors Trade Show

NAC members are offered reduced prices on a broad range of products and services provided through the Collectors Trade Show on the Collectors.Org website.

NAC Newsletter

NAC has an electronic NAC Collectors newsletter distributed to members each month.

NAC Store and Logo Store

All NAC members will have access to the NAC Store of special NAC merchandise and the Logo Store featuring an array of NAC logos for various display needs such as on your personal website.

Becoming An NAC Member

Anyone interested in joining NAC can do so by filling out the NAC Application Form and sending it with payment to: NAC, 18222 Flower Hill Way #299, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.

Ownership

The Association of Collecting Clubs (ACC) and the National Association of Collectors (NAC) are owned and operated by Americana Resources, Inc, of Gaithersburg, Maryland.