The word "collector" has its roots in classical Latin. It comes from the term "collectio", meaning "gathering" or "the act of collecting," itself derived from the verb "colligere" (com: together, and legere: to gather or choose). Initially, it referred to the act of bringing elements together into a coherent whole. In French, the word "collection" appeared in the 13th century, but it was only in the 17th century that the noun "collectionneur" emerged to describe a person who builds a collection.

Honoré de Balzac is often credited as the first to use the word "collectionneur" in its modern sense. In his novel "Le Cousin Pons" (1847), he portrays Sylvain Pons, a passionate collector of art objects and antiques. Through this work, Balzac delves into the psychology of the collector, highlighting their obsession with coveted objects and the impact of this passion on their life. Pons is the perfect embodiment of "monomania," a form of obsession that Balzac frequently analyzed in his character studies.

Before Balzac, terms like "amateur," "curious person," or "antiquarian" were more commonly used to describe collection enthusiasts. By popularizing the term "collectionneur," Balzac helped establish its use in the French language while infusing it with psychological and social dimensions. The term later became widely adopted, referring to anyone who gathers objects out of passion or systematization. It expanded into many fields, from art to stamps, and even more trivial items.

Today, the collector is both a passionate enthusiast and an archivist. Their approach may be aesthetic, intellectual, or purely emotional. Once reserved for an elite, collecting has become a universal activity, accessible to all and transcending eras and cultures. It remains a way to explore the world and forge a personal connection with history or culture.