Weird Collector Names

Official Collector Names - Compiled at Collectibles-Articles.com

All these names are found in at least one dictionary. There are other terms used by collectors that are common, but not yet recorded as "official" by a dictionary. They are on the -- List.


Aerophilatelist [air-oh-fi-LAT-l-ist]
-a student or collector of airmail stamps, cancellations, etc.
-[Base Origin: aero- + philately]

Arctophile [AHRK-tuh-fahyl]
-a person who is very fond of and is usually a collector of teddy bears
-[Base Origin: < Gk arkto-, comb. form of arktós bear + -phile]

Audiophile [AW-dee-uh-fahyl]
-a person who is especially interested in high-fidelity sound reproduction
-[Base Origin: 1950'55; audio- + -phile]

Bibliophile [BIB-lee-uh-fahyl, -fil], -ist [bib-lee-OF-uh-list]
-a person who loves or collects books, esp. as examples of fine or unusual printing, binding, or the like
-[Base Origin: 1815'25; biblio- + -phile]

Conchologist [kong-KOL-uh-jist]
-a collector and student of mollusk shells
-[Base Origin: 1770'80; conch + -o- + -logy]

Deltiologist [del-tee-OL-uh-jist]
-a postcard collector; a person who collects postcards as a hobby
-[Base Origin: 1945'50; < Gk deltí(on), dim. of déltos writing tablet + -o- + -logy]

Discophile [DIS-kuh-fahyl]
-a person who studies and collects phonograph records, esp. those of a rare or specialized nature
-[Base Origin: 1935'40; disc + -o- + -phile]

Ex-librist [eks LEE-brist]
-a collector of ex-libris records
ex-libris [eks LEE-bris, LAHY-]
-from the library of (a phrase inscribed in or on a book before the name of the owner): Ex libris Jane Doe.
-an inscription in or on a book, to indicate the owner; bookplate.
-[Base Origin: 1875'80; < L ex lībrīs out of the books (of), from the books (of)]

Exonumist [ek-suh-NOO-mist, -NYOO-, EK-suh-noo-, -nyoo-]
-a person who collects exonumia (items, as tokens or medals, that resemble money but are not intended to circulate as money)
-[Origin: exonum(ia) + -ist]
-[Base Origin: 1965'70; exo- + num(ismatic) + -ia]

Iconophile [ahy-KON-uh-fahyl]
-a connoisseur of icons or images.
-[Base Origin: 1880'85; icono- + -phile]

Lepidopterist [lep-i--DOP-tuh-rist]
-the collecting of butterflies and moths
-[Base Origin: 1895'1900; Lepidopter(a) + -o- + -logy]

Numismatist [noo-MIZ-muh-tist, -MIS-, nyoo-]
-a specialist in numismatics
-a person who collects numismatic items, esp. coins
-[Base Origin: 1790'1800; < L numismat- (s. of numisma) coin + -ist]

Oenophile [EE-nuh-fahyl], -ist [ee-NOF-uh-list]
-a person who enjoys wines, usually as a connoisseur.
-[Base Origin: 1925'30; < F < Gk oǐn(os) wine + -o- -o- + F -phile -phile]

Philatelist [fi-LAT-l-ist]
-the collecting of stamps and other postal matter as a hobby or an investment
-the study of postage stamps, revenue stamps, stamped envelopes, postmarks, postal cards, covers, and similar material relating to postal or fiscal history
-[Base Origin: 1860'65; < F philatélie < Gk phil- phil- + atéleia freedom from charges (taken to mean recipient's freedom from delivery charges by virtue of the stamp which sender affixed to the letter), lit., want of taxation, equiv. to a- a-6 + tél(os) tax + -eia -y3]

Phillumenist [fi-LOO-muh-nist], [fi-LOO-muh-nist]
-a collector of matchbooks and matchboxes
-[Base Origin: 1940'45; phil- + L lūmen light + -ist]

Pyrographer [pahy-ROG-ruh-fur]
-one who burns designs on wood, leather, etc., with a heated tool
-one who collects such items
-[Base Origin: 1875'80, Americanism; pyro- + -graphy]

Scripophile [SKRIP-uh-fahyl], -ist [skri-POF-uh-list]
-a person who practices scripophily
-[Base Origin: 1975'80; scrip + -o- + -phile]
scrip [SKRIP]
-a receipt, certificate, list, or similar brief piece of writing
-a scrap of paper
-Finance:
--a certificate representing a fraction of a share of stock
--a certificate to be exchanged for goods, as at a company store
--a certificate indicating the right of the holder to receive payment later in the form of cash, goods, or land
-paper currency in denominations of less than one dollar, formerly issued in the United States
-[Base Origin: 1610'20; earliest sense "scrap of paper" perh. gradational var. of scrap; subsequent sense development shows influence of script and subscription, with def. 3a specifically a shortening of subscription receipt]

Vecturist [VEK-chuh-rist]
-a person who collects transportation tokens as a hobby
-[Base Origin: < L vectūr(a) transport, money paid for transport, fare (vect(us) ptp. of vehere to convey + -ūra -ure) + -ist]

Vexillologist [vek-suh-LOL-uh-jist]
-an expert in flags
-[Base Origin: 1955'60; < L vexill(um) flag, vexillum + -o- + -logy]

Xylographer [zahy-LOG-ruh-fur]
-the art of engravings on wood, or of printing from such engravings
-a collector of such items
-[Base Origin: 1810'20; < F xylographie. See xylo-, -graphy]