Collecting Memories One Can At A Time

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1/6/2009

11:41 AM

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collecting memories one beer at a time

WRITTEN BY Jessica M. Broughton

MARK SWARTZ WAS 9 YEARS OLD when he started collecting beer cans that he and his friends found by the side of road.

He collected sporadically through the years, but a simple event at age 12 turned his hobby into something more. He was at a restaurant with his family, and the young Swartz was enticed by the beautifully decorated beer cans the waiter presented. His dad, intrigued by his interest in the beer cans, bought him one of each, and Swartz’s path was set to become the serious collector that he is today. Swartz chuckled at the memory. “That wouldn’t have happened nowadays. I mean, parents buying their kids beer, even if it was only for the can?” Swartz then discovered that there were other people who were just as passionate about collecting beer memorabilia as he was. He learned that there were swap meets, trading via mail, and tradeshows held for vendors and collectors alike of all things

world who are also in pursuit of the perfect

stacks in his basement. Half of the

beer related. These connections would allow

beer can.

collection is on display, but due to limited

Swartz to explore the world of

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His passion and wish list grew, and now

space, the other half is in storage. His steel

beer can collecting, and to meet fellow

his collection of more than 17,000 beer

cans are maintained by waxing them with

collectors and enthusiasts from around the

cans is proudly displayed on library-like

car wax, and ideally cans are stored in a

magazine | s p r i n g 2 0 0 9


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