Konrad Otwinowski (Museum of the History of Kielce) Zbiory kielczanina Stanisława Piotrowicza jako przykład prywatnego kolekcjonerstwa „pamiątek historycznych”

What can be found in collections of historical memorabilia except for the objects they consist of? This article is an attempt to answer the question about the role and cultural value of private collections of so-called historical memorabilia presented in contemporary museums. In years 2008–2012 a collection accumulated by Kielce citizen Stanislaw Piotrowicz (1933–2008) was contributed to the Museum of the History of Kielce. The collection includes mainly: Polish military and national symbols, documents, photographs, numismatics and militaria, depicting events from the history of the twentiethcentury Poland. Two themes appear to be of greater importance: the history of Kielce garrison of the Polish Army in years 1919-1939 and the history of the Polish Armed Forces in the West with particular emphasis on battles of the Second Polish Corps. The collection comprises more than 1650 objects. It is a representative example of a private collection of historical memorabilia as a phenomenon characteristic of the Polish amateur collection of the last quarter of the twentieth century. When Stanislaw Piotrowicz died, his collection was not completed – he had been building and reorganizing it. Its shape and complexity resulted from the formation of Polish collectors market in the last quarter of the twentieth century. Despite its complexity and diversity, the collection is a significant source of historical knowledge. The collector’s idea and readable process of collecting visible in the structure of the collection contribute to its value.