author
Gardner C. Teall
A lively early-20th-century writer, editor, and collector, he wrote with real enthusiasm about the pleasures of antiques, rare books, and beautiful objects. His work opens a window onto a world where curiosity, taste, and the thrill of the hunt all go together.
1 Audiobook
The Pleasures of Collecting
by Gardner C. Teall
About the author
Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Gardner C. Teall was an American author, artist, editor, and traveler. Archival records from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire describe him as a well-known writer and collector, and Columbia University preserves a collection of his research materials on the painter James McNeill Whistler.
Teall is best remembered for The Pleasures of Collecting, first published in 1920. In that book, he explores why people are drawn to antiques and curios and writes warmly about the delight of finding objects with beauty, history, and character.
He also worked across the visual and literary arts. Sources connected with his books and art-world activities show him not only as a writer on collecting, but also as an illustrator and designer with a strong interest in books, prints, and decorative art.