Space for Treasures
Sandy, Vong Nga Ieng
Everyone has their treasures. Some people collect stamps, banknotes, luxury cars or even tissues while some may collect bullets and Coca-Cola bottles.
“Fate brings the visitors here,” Brian, Ho Lok Yan, son-in-law of the owner of Sound of the Century, said.
Sound of the Century is a private museum of phonographs and antique electrical appliances, opened at the 125th anniversary of the invention of phonograph. Unlike other museums, visitors can touch all the displays in Sound of the Century and learn the stories behind them.
Chan, owner of Sound of the Century, was an apprentice in repairing electrical equipment in the 50s. Since then, his interest in collecting electrical appliances has not been fluttered. Chan feels satisfied and accomplished by collecting phonographs, which he keeps depending on the repairable level but not their values. He loves to share his treasures to others rather than keep them at home.
Chan’s most valuable phonograph is “Edison 4 Min Phonograph”, created in 1911 with code 4668, which was originally owned by his Canadian friend. He, 84, who got a serious illness, sold the phonograph to Chan and hoped Chan would cherish it.
Ho said, “He regretted a lot afterwards. Every phonograph has its own story behind.”
Just a street next to the museum, another collector’s story can be found. Wei Lon, owner of So Ta Fao Antique which was opened in 1991, said, “This is my only occupation to earn a living.”
The term “So Ta Fao”, meaning Macao, is used to describe people who lost all their money after gambling in Macao in the past. Their pockets were empty, just like being washed with washing soda - So Ta in Cantonese. “I chose this name because it is funny, and I miss the old times,” Wei remarked.
The store has lots of antiques like toys, celebrity photos, magazines, Coca-Cola souvenirs, comic books, illuminations, cigarette cases, bank notes, watches and glasses.
“I have started my collection since I was a child and I believe there must be a value behind every object,” Wei said. Wei thought of closing the store due to the financial problems in 1999, but he sold some of his own collections in order to keep the store running.
There are indeed meanings behind his treasures. Once an old neighbor visited Wei and he shared some of the old Macao photos with her. Among them, she surprisingly found an old photo of her marriage.
Wei loves to stay at the store to meet people with the same interests. There is a corner in the store displaying Coca-Cola souvenirs. “I like showing these to people instead of keeping them at home. They are not for sale because most of them are very rare,” Wei said.
Collecting old items brings him satisfaction as well as knowledge, as he has learnt a lot about the world from what he has collected.
Although the treasures are not alive, they bring the owners friendship and sense of accomplishment. The key is sharing ??sharing treasures, spaces, happiness and satisfaction.