I Came, I Saw, I Collected
A History of the Souvenir
Maggie PopkinA richly illustrated history of our most precious objects
The human drive to capture memories and experiences through physical objects is as old as civilization itself. In I Came, I Saw, I Collected, art historian and archaeologist Maggie Popkin takes readers on an exhilarating tour through the surprising history of souvenirs. From drinking cups depicting Roman gladiators, early Christian pilgrimage flasks and Maya figurines to folding fans from the Grand Tour, Hokusai’s Great Wave and modern snow globes, Popkin shows how souvenirs have always shaped how we see our world and feel at home within it. Far from mere kitsch, souvenirs fuel economies, reinforce political ideologies and frame the way we think about art, culture and authenticity. Richly illustrated, this book uncovers the profound stories hidden within the humble objects we still accumulate today.
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It is easy to overlook the cheap tat you find for sale at any tourist site. This book reveals, brilliantly, the deeper history of these souvenirs, not just the rubbish but the expensive mementoes of ancient religious pilgrimages, the replicas of famous statues, and the tokens of encounters with celebrities. Popkin’s fascinating study shows the economic and political impact of these objects and how they served as physical embodiments of the lived experiences of people across the ages.
'Jerry Toner, University of Cambridge
1 – What Makes a Souvenir a Souvenir?
2 – Replicating Religion: Pilgrimage Souvenirs of Sacred Sites
3 – The World in Your Hand: Travel Souvenirs of Places
4 – The Masterpiece in Your Pocket: Souvenirs of Statues
5 – Are You Not Entertained? Souvenirs of Sports and Spectacle
6 – Making Superstars: Souvenirs of Celebrities
7 – Replication, Authenticity and Meaning-Making
References
Further Reading
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
Maggie Popkin is Professor of Art History at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her books include Souvenirs and the Experience of Empire in Ancient Rome (2022).