Show 71 1 t 1 1 SOUVENIR HUNTERS Souvenir bunting hunting is one of the most widespread widespread wide wide- spread in the U US U.S. S Its It's fun to amass amassa a collection of The nature of the items varies Among the most popular collectors collector's collectors collector's col col- collectors collector's lectors lector's items is the autograph The signature of a famous person person may may be on a slip of paper or In an autograph book Perhaps the fan may have bave the personality sign the souvenir program at some special event such as a sports event or concert Sale of souvenirs is big business In fact there are many places in the U US S and around the world where the sale of keepsakes is the major source of income for the local folk These are items manufactured especially for forthe forthe forthe the trade Usually the merchandise Is some household knick knack knick-knack knack with the name of the point of interest printed on it It might be bean bean bean an ashtray a glass a wall plaque or one of the sure sellers a pennant for the fun room wall As with practically anything there are spoilers in the souvenir souvenir hunting hunting ranks These are the vandals Their idea of collecting In In- 0 thoughtless destruction of landmarks Here is one appalling example of the destruction d wrought by vandals When When Thomas Jefferson died he left plans for a simple obelisk obelisk obelisk obe obe- lisk to be placed on his grave ilave His home borne was sold following his death and during the years that followed the stone was chipped away by souvenir hunters until only a portion of the base was was left It is difficult to imagine what anyone would do with these bits of stone Can you imagine a collector proudly displaying his haul to his friends In Washington the National Park Service reports that one of its biggest problems is the thoughtless s tourist who plucks flowers planted for the pleasure of all visitors The lovely gardens look ravaged after the flower flower- pickers strike and those who follow them are deprived of a scene of beauty The signs asking asking ask ask- ing that the flowers be left alone have also been stolen One good question to I isk sk in connection connection con con- with souvenir hunting is Will my taking this make the same visit less rewarding rewarding rewarding reward reward- ing for others |