Being one who constantly fights the unrelenting urge to collect useless-but-cool objects, I love this book: In Flagrante Collecto (caught in the act of collecting) by Marilyn Gelfman Karp, a refreshing and beautifully photographed celebration of the act — and art — of collecting unwanted objects…

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For any lover of ephemera, the book provides gobs of eye-candy from vintage matchbooks and ashtrays to car air fresheners and garment tags. There are also plenty of bizarre items that become fascinating as part of a collection like animal traps made from mason jars and used shards of soap. It’s a gorgeous coffee table book and a lot easier to display — though no less inspiring — than a slew of thrift store treasures.

www.inflagrantecollecto.info

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(Images: Carl Williamson)