ABSTRACT
Collecting, by its very nature, is about the accruing of portable material culture. The Internet, which represents the very antithesis of the material - that is, transmissions 'in the ether', cyberspace - is being increasingly used by collectors. The benefits ofthe Internet for collectors are the international contacts and information that it offers. The potential for object location and addition to the collection is boosted, and the prospects for unknown finds are significantly increased. Therefore, the Internet offers, through a different sensory perception, an extension ofthe anticipation feIt by collectors when attending collectors' fairs, car-boot sales and so on. Material such as telephone cards are enormously popular as collectables, and it is not surprising to find numerous international web pages on them, whilst drinks cans have even been used as grave goods (Digger, 1995: 23-4). For collectors, the Internet also offers the opportunity to find kindred spirits in other countries where none may be known in one's own country.
