Tie collector sticks his neck out

Johan Nortier is not simply a collector.

The word is not enough to describe this enthusiast, who can provide a personal and mostly historical anecdote for most of his 3 300 logo ties, accumulated over the past 20 years.

From a single box of ties, Mr Nortier built up his collection.

The ties now line the walls of a study and work room in the Nortier home, row upon row, each bearing a small piece of history.

“I have ties belonging to Zola Budd’s father, a commemorative tie from when the Springboks won the Tri Nations.”

Grouping his ties in categories, Mr Nortier said many of the ties represented organisations, businesses and teams that no longer exist.

He has also developed a keen memory for where every tie came from.

“It’s almost like instinct – nine times out of 10, I know if a new tie is already in my collection.”

Although collecting ties seems an unusual hobby, Mr Nortier has his sights set on possessing the largest collection in the country, a record estimated to be 7 000.

“But I have to hang the Transvaal and Blue Bulls ties with the sport ties,” he joked.

Reflecting on the beginning of his collection, Mr Nortier said his fascination began with two ties bearing the logos for Totoya and Barclays.

Adding to these first few, he had unconsciously started a collection.

“I get many ties from organisations and charity shops, plus from people who know I collect them.”

Mr Nortier said a problem he encountered was the decline of using ties in work dress, a trend he believes is slowly making a comeback.

All things considered, he hoped to reach 3 500 by the end of the year.

Elaborating on the ties, Mr Nortier said many items in his collection had more sentimental value than monetary worth, owing to where they originated.

“My favourite tie is a KFC tie from Mauritius. We were there on tour and I asked a manager for it, but he said no. After the fourth time I asked, he realised I wouldn’t give up, and he let me have it.”

Other ties Mr Nortier treasures is a Merino tie from a top stud farmer, his father’s first working tie from the 1950s, an All Black tie worn by a famous player, and a tie he negotiated for at the Nampo agricultural show.

“Sometimes I am sorry I didn’t find out the story behind all the ties. It’s my only regret.”