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Collector's happier than a camel on Wednesday
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William D. Lewis | The Vindicator — To say Jeannie Essad is intrigued with camels would be putting it mildly. The collection she started about 40 years ago has grown to an estimated 500 camels in all sizes, shapes and types.
By Sean Barron
CORNERSBURG
Like the rest of us, Jeanne Essad has to face life’s challenges, difficulties and obstacles, but unlike most people, she has many more ways to get over the hump.
“It’s a passion — something I’ve been drawn to since God knows when,” Essad said, referring to her love of collecting all sizes, shapes and types of camels.
Actually, the caregiver and former nurse began her collection about 40 years ago.
By her estimation, Essad has amassed around 500 camels over the years, many of which friends and family members have given her as tokens of appreciation. Roughly 200 from India, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, Las Vegas and elsewhere fill the dining and living rooms of her Risher Road residence.
Essad also has received many camels as tokens of gratitude from family members of loved ones she’s cared for. She has bought others at flea markets, discount stores and elsewhere.
A camel-shaped pillow from Japan that a former co-worker gave her about 20 years ago greets those who enter via the front door. Beforehand, though, the fellow employee had dropped the item at the wrong house before placing it on Essad’s porch the next day, she recalled.
In front of Essad’s fireplace is a large camel named Omar that was part of a Nativity set. Her mantel is adorned with smaller ones from Morocco, Lebanon and other countries, all of which also were in Nativity sets, she explained.
Essad’s dining-room shelves contain row after row of camels, a few of which contain real hair, as well as a light-green one made from broccoli. Although many on the shelves look appealing, certain ones also have practical uses.
“Some open up and I use them as a jewelry case,” Essad said, adding that her front window has camel-themed wind chimes and is lined with a series of small replicas she received from an uncle.
Included in the practical category are those that are shaped like candles, one she received about 22 years ago that serves as an ashtray and another that holds sugar cubes. Also in the mix is a camel-like teapot she bought at Pier 1 Imports, Essad pointed out.
Although many camels are eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing, others carry serious, thought-provoking messages. Examples are a framed camel illustration next to which are several virtues denoting trustworthiness, as well as one in a wooden circle that she acquired from someone in the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program and that symbolizes strength in overcoming obstacles.
A handful of camels in her collection are rather subtle, such as a wood carving on one of her living-room lamps and a copper camel she bought at a flea market for 50 cents that’s tucked into a small space in her dining room.
Nevertheless, don’t think Essad’s love of camels stops with her massive collection. She also has experience with the real thing, having ridden a camel 10 or 15 years ago at Cedar Point, near Sandusky.
“When I was on the camel, my mouth was open,” she recalled with a chuckle. “I didn’t know how fast he’d go, though I wasn’t scared.”
Essad said she also wants to teach children about the animals and dispel certain myths that she says still surround them.
“They’re very loyal and have a reputation for being mean, but they’re very gentle,” she explained.