Men and their Collections

Primal men, we’re told, were hunters. Modern men are hunters, too. Fortunately, having been relieved of the need to stalk wooly mammoths for a tribal supper, they can use their instincts to track down collectibles for their den. Clear the path. Here are the skins that some local men have hanging on their wall.
Men and their Collections
Dr. Milburn Calhoun, Publisher, Pelican Publishing Company: Antique books

“When I was growing up, we couldn’t afford books. My first book was a prize in a reading contest in the first grade. My working collection mirrors my eclectic interests but the emphasis is on 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century books, maps and manuscripts about Louisiana or by Louisiana authors. Small collections are of Southern history, biography, medical books, economics, Scottish, Bibles, hymnals and religious books. I like signed copies that tell a story, like Every Man a King, signed by Huey Long, ‘to my good friend, Al Williams,’ before the ASCAP party on Long Island where Williams gave Huey a bloody nose in the men’s room.”
Men and their Collections
H. Charles Gaudin, retired Judge, now Chairman of Louisiana Gaming Control Board: Toy soldiers
“When I was a young lad growing up, we didn’t have television or fancy electronic games but we did have Hopalong Cassidy at the Majestic and dozens of three-inch toy soldiers made of lead and iron. They were toys to be played with, not placed on shelves behind glass. I began collecting again as an adult and I now have at least 1,000 figures of all kinds, but my favorites will always be the ones that are identical to the ones I once played with. They bring back very happy memories of a long lost but fondly remembered childhood.”
Men and their Collections
Bill Langkopp, Executive Vice President, Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association:Cufflinks
“My first pair of cufflinks had a gold monogram and were a high school graduation present. I didn’t pay much attention to the cuff links then but as the years passed, I found myself buying a pair here and a pair there on special occasions, such as our honeymoon at the Hemisfair in San Antonio (which I still have). In the late 1980s a friend took me to an auction where we ended up both buying a lot of cufflinks. There were some 150 pairs in the lot and we split them. That was the true beginning, and the rest is history.”
Men and their Collections
Stephen Alderdice, CPA, Rebowe & Company: Walking canes
“My collection of walking canes happened by accident – a 7-floor elevator crash to be exact. While only needing to use one for a short time after foot surgery, friends and family began gifting me with walking canes. Soon I became intrigued with the unusual variations that suddenly seemed everywhere. There were canes with hidden swords, duck and dog heads and even lobster tails. Recently at an estate auction with my father, I bid on a cane with the head of a real snake. When I placed the winning bid, he turned to me with a grin and said, ‘You bought that?’”
Men and their Collections
Herman Kohlmeyer, Stockbroker, Wachovia Securities: First edition books by American authors
“Collecting books is an obvious hobby for someone who loves reading. I recently sold my 18th-century English books at auction, so my collection has a more narrow focus: most of the major names of American 19th-century literature, from Melville to Twain to James, then to the obvious 20th century writers. Collections don’t have to be centered on the big classroom names, Tarzan and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz books being traditional favorites here, and the Pooh books in England. I’ve stayed with what I’ve read or should have read, Hemingway and Faulkner first, certain Southern writers, then Bellow, Updike and Roth.”
Men and their Collections
Tariq Hanna, Executive Pastry Chef, Sucré: Jamie Hayes dolls
“My collection of Jamie Hayes ‘Big Lip’ dolls stems from my wife’s and my love for creepy-like art. I love artwork that’s just unconventional, and New Orleans is filled with unconventional and brilliant artists like Jamie Hayes. There’s just a political incorrectness about these dolls that’s appealing and fun without being offensive. Six months ago when I passed by his gallery, I just had to have one. Now I’ve got about 35!”
Men and their Collections
Will Mangham, retired Travel Director for State of Louisiana: Cut glass
“A vital part of my upbringing was to revere family heirlooms and one I inherited was a cut glass fern stand from my grandmother, who died before I was born. After traveling around the world, my collection of over 100 pieces is primarily from the brilliant period (1880-1925) of American cut glass. My most outstanding piece is a square ice cream tray, from Budapest, Hungary, that I smuggled out from behind the Iron Curtain. Daily I appreciate both the beauty and the art of my cut glass collection.”
Men and their Collections
Hammond Scott, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments: Radios
“My collector bug started early – listening to nightly broadcasts of blues and R&B from Nashville’s WLAC in the 1960s. Those broadcasts encouraged collecting over 3,000 vintage records. Ultimately, after a short stint practicing law, my brother and I formed Black Top Records to produce and release blues and R&B records for a 21-year run. Along the way I became a collector of vintage radios of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s. I have floor models and 100 tabletop radios. My favorites are the character radios, high-end, colorful, deco Catalin plastic radios and mirrored radios of the late ’30s and ’40s.”
Men and their Collections
Dr. Ronald Swartz, Urologist: Vintage wrist watches
“Watches ignited my collecting bug. When I was in high school, I remember discovering an unusual early watch in my uncle’s jewelry store that showed the works from both front and back. I can even recall the brand name, Glycine. Though I no longer have that watch, my existing collection has some choice examples from the 1920s through the ’50s – the best design period, in my opinion. The most special watch is my father’s Longines with diamond numerals from the late ’40s. My most recent find is a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL watch, a nice companion for my 1957 Roadster.”
Men and their Collections
Stephen Smith, CEO and Founder of Planet Beach: Saints memorabilia
“Like most from the area, I’ve been a Saints fan my entire life, and that’s not always been easy. Now, to see how the Saints have rallied the city in a positive way makes me proud that I’ve stuck by them. I love collecting Saints memorabilia and I have some cherished things in my collection, such as an autographed Drew Brees helmet and jersey and an autographed Reggie Bush jersey. I kept the ticket from the last Saints game in the Dome before Katrina. At the time no one knew what was going to become of the Superdome or the Saints.”

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