Lady luck has been good to Rob Curtis of Schenectady.
But he knows he is not her only sporadic stop in the day. That’s what fascinates him.
Throughout the world, each culture and each religion has its own collection of signs and symbols of luck. Egypt has its scarab beetle, Japan — its blessing cat, and for the Chinese — bats.
For more than five years Curtis has searched the area for these symbols, often found in the form of knick-knacks sold in area flea market.
He has put some of his items on display at the William K. Sanford Library in Colonie.
Since owning these items, I once found $130 at the mall. It was all over the parking lot. It was a wet day and they (the bills) were lying all over the place, said Curtis.
Since his cash discovery, he has gone on to win scratch-off lottery tickets, gift cards in drawings, and he once found a gold bracelet. But, that’s not why he collects the world’s luckiest of charms. He does it because he likes to think positively. And what better reminder than a trinket you can hold in the palm of your hand.
The lucky charm display isn’t the first Curtis has loaned to Colonie’s town library. For more than 10 years, his presentations and exhibits at the library have dealt with his positive message and how people can live richly with good vibes.
One of his earlier displays featured area centenarians, whom he spoke with about their secrets to longevity, he said.
The uniqueness of Curtis’ recent display caught the attention of library program coordinator Greg Rucinski.
`It’s just something to have in the case and different things,` he said.
The library staff has not yet reported an increase in lucky happenings despite the proximity of Curtis’ lucky charms, which went into the library’s front display case on Jan. 1.
Library patrons lingering in the lobby do glance over the collection, said Curtis, but whether it has brought them luck he couldn’t say. He assumes as much.
When asked about his charms, Curtis said he is particularly drawn to a Milagros cross that has dozens of small pewter charms fastened to it.
Milagros are part of an ancient custom in Hispanic folk culture.
The small trinkets are in the shapes of various foods and human appendages. They are affixed to the cross in the hope of bringing luck and blessings. Affix an arm to relieve arm pain, a kernel of corn to bring food to a family, and so on. It’s personalized to the person’s wants and needs. Much like any lucky charm, the item must suit the individual’s needs, said Curtis.
He chooses jewelry. Besides, it is a great icebreaker, he said.
Curtis’s display has caught the attention of five other area libraries. Each has expressed an interest in putting up his collection of worldly lucky charms.
“
