Interested in collecting Bossons for over 40 years, Don  Hardisty's first Bossons was PUNJABI. Annual holidays and special events were then celebrated with more Bossons gifts. Finally, to obtain all the current Bossons available at that time from the only local gift shop selling Bossons in Las Cruces and the surrounding Mesilla Valley, New Mexico, Don was given a cooperative nod from his wife, Barbara, to purchase all the remaining current issues as a special reward for being promoted to full professor of music at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 1979. At that time, Don's collection of Bossons numbered about 40.

Since then he has been challenged to collect every BOSSONS, including every Fraser-Art produced, but because he wanted his own collection to be perfect in every respect, he needed to learn as much as possible about restoring gypsum plaster artworks. The research and study are a labor of love. Though new discoveries are being made everyday, according to current knowledge, there are only a dozen or so Bossons, including Fraser-Art, left until the personal collection is complete.

While working diligently to learn more about Bossons artware and build his personal collection of Bossons and Hummels (and a certified collection of Morgan Dollars), he and Barbara officially opened Don's Collectibles in 1986. It is exclusively a mail-order business.

During those Don continued his work at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Don taught undergraduate and graduate music classes and performed regularly as bassoonist in local symphonies and opera productions.  Don holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Montana, Missoula, and Doctor of Music Arts Degree from Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, NY, (1969).

Also during these years he also held several teaching positions in music to include leadership positions in the Music Educators National Conference, Southwest Music Educators Association, President of New Mexico Music Educators Association, Chairman of the New Mexico Alliance for the Arts in Education, and President of the New Mexico Music Teachers Association. For eight years he served as newsmagazine Editor, President, and later Executive Administrator of the Association of Concert Bands of America.

As a recognized authority in the field of bassoon reed construction with his patented "Triple Crow Bassoon Reeds," Don was fortunate to be guest lecturer on this subject at the University of Graz, Austria in 1984.

From its inception in 1980, Don has supported and promoted the International Bossons Collectors Society (IBCS). He has contributed numerous pictures, articles and research findings about Bossons (Fraser-Art, Bossons Ivorex, Briar Rose) which are included in Book II (1994) of the "Imagical World of Bossons" by Dr. Robert E. Davis, and released in the BOSSONS BRIEFS, quarterly publication of the IBCS. In financial support of the IBCS, and build one of the most distinctive Bossons collection known today, Don purchased at IBCS convention auctions the following Bossons signed by Ray Bossons, Jane Bossons (his daughter), and Mrs. Alice Brindley: Desert Storm Fighter Pilot, Mountie, the original Liechtensteiner, Fisherman, Laplander, Squire, Doctor Watson, Fly Fisherman, Bears and Bees (Fraser-Art), York (two editions), Aviator, Mozart, Miner, Jolly Tar, Robin Hood, Shepherd and Dog, Golfer, King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Sherlock Holmes, Guardsman, Victorian Bobby, Col. Custer & Chief Sitting Bull, Officier-Trompette and Grenadier (mounted on plaques), Figian, Capt. Pierre Le Grand, Zapata, Sir Lancelot, Himalayan, Cossack and others. Additionally his private collection also contains personally signed Bossons from Mrs. Alice Brindley, Resident Modeler and Art Director for Bossons, 1977-1995. Don assisted in the research and development of two Bossons Characters: Zapata (1991) and Engineer (1992). Both Ray Bossons and Alice Brindley presented him a signed gift of these two Bossons. One of the last Bossons to have ever been produced (but not released or distributed) entitled "CRICKETER" (c) 1995 Bossons England, Sculpted by Alice Brindley, was a special gift from Mrs. Brindley.

CRICKETER

Beginning at the first Annual meeting in 1986,  Don has given the following lectures and demonstrations at meetings of the International Bossons Collectors Society:

1986-Atlanta, GA - "Restoration Techniques for Bossons Artware: A Demonstration Clinic"

1988-Atlanta, GA - "Artistic Excellence in Bossons Artware: Those Fantastic Bossons (one Veiled Caspian Woman, two Bengalis and Six Snake Charmers)"

1990-New Orleans, LA - "Relative Rarity of Discontinued Bossons in North America: A Market Tested Listing and Rarity Scale"

1992-Orlando, FL - "Artistic Restoration: Beauty and Distinction Within the Imagical World of Bossons: A Pictorial Demonstration"

1993-Victoria, B. C., - "Bossons Look-a-Like, Fakes and Rarest of the Rare from an Artistic Perspective"

1996-Baltimore, MD - "Discoveries, Copyrights, Incisions & Formations in Bossons Artware"

1997-Burbank, CA - "Hands-On Cleaning of Bossons With Don," followed by Professional Cleaning: Lecture/slide demonstration

1999-Seattle, WA - "Authenticating Your Bossons: New Structural, Maker, and Copyright findings

2000-Tampa, FL - "The Wonderful World of Bossons in Sight and Sound" A World Tour of Countries Represented by the Rarest Bossons Known Today, Accompanied by Music and Dialogue.

2002-Phoenix, AZ - "Bossons Creation of Engineer, Zapata, and Recent Discoveries of Rare Bossons."

2003-San Antonio, TX- "San Antonio Rose Meets Friends & Enemies" The cherished and extremely rare "Rosa" from 'The Child Studies' and her other 'friends' (other magnificent Bossons) were compared through a pictorial study of fakes and fraudulent figures often sold on the internet as Bossons.

2004-Orlando, FL- "Discriminating Bossons Collecting:"  The Wonderful World of Bossons-2004 Edition, including some of the rarest Bossons known today.

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