You can never have too many memories . . . well that’s what one of my friends says. However, I prefer, “you can never have too many handbags” and it seems, given recent headlines, that Oprah Winfrey would also agree.

If you hadn’t heard, Oprah was snubbed by a sales assistant who refused to show her a $25,000 bag because it was “too expensive”.

But while Oprah and I may be partial to the odd bag or two – although of course I CAN’T afford $25,000 – my obsession is nothing compared with Hendrikje Ivo from Amsterdam, who owns more than 4,000 clutches, totes, purses, pouches and designer backpacks.

Yes, Henrikje has been buying bags I think it’s fair enough to say, constantly, for more than 30 years. When her collection numbered 3,000, she wondered if it might be an idea to open the Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam.

“At first she loved the craftsmanship, the material and the design,” her daughter Sigrid, who runs the museum, says. “Then she couldn’t stop collecting.”

“But weren’t her bags a bit tatty to have on display,” I ask (though hopefully a little more tactfully than that). Sigrid shakes her head.

“Oh no. My mother didn’t use them. She just bought them for fun.”

The museum, the largest collection of its kind in the world, is on Herengracht, Amsterdam’s most prestigious canal, lined with trees and gabled 17th century houses. Just round the corner is Ultrechtsestraat, the city’s exclusive shopping street, with plenty of shoes – another item you can’t have enough of.

The museum’s coffee shop is equally fabulous – lavish drapes, gilded mirrors and original ceiling paintings.

“I suppose the guys just sit and have coffee,” I remark casually.

“Not at all!” Sigrid replies. “A lot of them really get into it.”

And funnily enough, the museum’s oldest exhibit is a man bag: a 16th century pouch fashioned from goatskin – with 18 compartments no less (I guess in those days your average bloke needed room for arrows and spears) There’s also a Dallas bag-cum-phone (plug it in and you can make a call), the Sex in the City cupcake creation and clutches belonging to Bette Midler, Imelda Marcos and Elizabeth Taylor.

But my favourite was one that depicted a man in a turban leading a giraffe – a gift from the Egyptian viceroy to King Charles X (1757-1836) of France. The giraffe walked 800km from Marseille to a zoo in Paris where the tiny souvenir was probably for sale.

Today, Hendrikje is in her late 70s and still scouring Ebay for handbags. While she and Sigrid can’t resist another purchase, it seems they have a lot more restraint than I’d have when it comes to dipping into their fantastic collection for a night on the town.

“I’ve never been tempted to do that,” Sigrid says, and so earnestly that I have to believe her.

But just imagine, taking Elizabeth Taylor’s satin clutch to the Playhouse or turning up at the Eagle and Child with Madonna’s Versace evening bag.

The problem is, no one would believe you.

ESSENTIALS Museum of Bags and Purses; www.tassenmuseum.nl Opens daily 10am to 5pm. Closed Jan 1, April 30, Dec 25.

Adults: €9, Up to 12 free: 13-18 €5.50 Open daily 10.00am-1700. Check for public holidays.

For more information: iamsterdam.com Visit many attractions for free with an I amsterdam City card – which includes a travel pass for unlimited travel on buses, trams and the metro. Both valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Prices are 42, 52 and 62 euros respectively.

Stay at: The Grand Hotel www.sofitel-legend-thegrand.com This year Amsterdam is celebrating 400 years of the canal ring, 125 years of its Concert Hall, concertgebouw.nl, 40 years of the Van Gogh Museum vangogh museum.com and the re-opening of Rijksmuseum rijksmuseum.nl home to Rembrandt’s The Night Watch.