An anthology of works owned by a private collector, comprising of 400 pieces of art, by 236 artists. Includes concise narratives on the artists, which reveal interesting pieces of information about them, the eras in which the worked, as well as the individual paintings. Equally compelling, and often hilarious, are the stories associated with the purchases of these works Challenged by his son Kristian Davies, the award-winning author of Laynfaroh's first book, The Orientalists, to write the story of a forty-year passion for collecting American paintings, Tom Davies quickly found himself not only recalling events surrounding their acquisition but also recounting how the "art gene" was passed from his father to him and onto his two sons. Collecting Stories is unlike any other book focusing on a family's lifelong pursuit of its passion. It is written entirely by the collector, not simply a hired art historian. It communicates, at a personal level, the great joy and pleasure derived from the people (artists, dealers, museum personnel, and other collectors) encountered along the way, the lessons learned (both good and bad), and the satisfaction gained from increased knowledge and insight. As the title states, there are 400 pieces of artwork, reflecting the ever-expanding interests of Mr. and Mrs. Davies, collected over forty years, ranging from 19th-century Hudson River School landscape, marine, genre, and still life to the work of expatriate artists in Europe and the Middle East, to the transitional period of Tonalism into Impressionism, Realism, art of the American West, illustration and contemporary artists of today. For the most part, the work is academic or representational. Reflecting the personal tastes of a private collection obtained without the aid of advisors, some schools or styles are more heavily represented than others. Reflecting financial realities (read: limitations) of the private collector, some examples by given artists are major, occasionally iconic, while others are smaller, more personal pieces. Collecting Stories will appeal to art collectors but also to anyone with an interest, fascination, and desire to collect any object. The serious collector or those seriously considering collecting will see themselves and will recognize those marvelous compulsions to pursue their passion - and will be a bit relieved to learn there are others like them who are, except for the "collecting gene," relatively normal folks. A liberal arts undergraduate degree from Darthmouth College, and a Masters in Business from Columbia University equipped Tom Davies for a lifelong passion for art and a 34-year career in international business with Colgate-Palmolive. He has been active in various museums and involved in numerous exhibitions of American art, both at home and abroad, and Mr. Davies has written several exhibition catalogues and articles for art magaiznes. His 40-year journey through the sometimes baffling but always intriguing art world, coupled with his revealing description of how the 'art gene' provided a rewarding shared interest with his father and sons make Collecting Stories not only a feast for the eyes but a memorable read as well.