A nostalgic trip through time
Preserving history through vintage memorabilia
ERBIL — Over the last quarter-century, Ismail Rostam, an Erbil local, has curated a vast collection of over 9,000 vintage items, turning his passion into a significant archive of historical memorabilia. These pieces, once everyday staples for previous generations, now find a second life under Rostam’s care.
Space limitations have forced Rostam to part ways with some of his treasures. Despite this, there’s a growing interest from enthusiasts eager to explore his eclectic assortment, a task made difficult by the need to maintain these items in pristine condition in a cramped environment.
Rostam’s collection is a treasure trove of nostalgia, featuring an array of objects from soap, typewriters, radios, and Aladdin lamps to lanterns, flashlights, butter churns, cups, heaters, pins, old spoons, tissues, and a plethora of other keepsakes dating from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Matchbox collecting, for decades a classic Iraqi pastime, lives on through Rostam’s range of colorful branded boxes and special editions.
Dedicated to the preservation of his collection, Rostam spends his days cleaning and caring for these items, boxing up those that need extra protection. In a conversation with 964media, he revealed that building this collection has been a dream since childhood, fueled by an undying passion for collecting.
Yet, as he contemplates his son’s upcoming marriage and the need for more space at home, Rostam faces the tough prospect of selling his entire collection.
