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The Genii wrote:

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When you leave a large collection behind, it is a burden to your spouse and/or children.

They don't want it, they're afraid of getting screwed by someone trying to buy it because they're not sure of the value, they don't know what all of it is, and so on.

It's unlikely that you're going to find a single collector to buy the whole thing if the collection is of any decent size because most collectors will have the bulk of your pieces already. There are only certain things they're going to want.

So, the only really good alternative is consigning the items to someone who will auction them, such as Howard Lowery or Hakes. They get excellent prices for the good items, and some very good prices for the medium range items. A bunch of lesser items will go at bargain prices but at least they will get rid of the whole thing for your family--and they'll be glad it's all gone!

It's not like there's some museum you can give it to (if everyone starts donating their stuff to the new Disney family museum when they die you can see that they'll run out of room and display space very quickly--so they're not going to want it, either).

This is always a problem and I've seen it in my own field many times. The most satisfactory result is usually achieved when you arrange for the sale of your items yourself before you kick the bucket. You'd be amazed how many spouses just throw the dead person's stuff in the trash to get rid of it.

Personally, I've arranged for my wife to contact two of my best collecting friends in the event of my unexpected death. I trust them, and know that she will be able to trust them to help dispose of the collection. If they want to buy some of it, she'll let them (and not at nutty prices, either). That way I know that my best pieces will go to people who actually give a crap about them, not just the person with the most money.

But if I manage to live a good long life, at some point I'll sell it all myself. Can't take it to the grave!

Excellent advice!

Thanks for posting the photos. I really want both of those pieces, and have my eyes out looking when I can. I am sure I will hear when they arrive at AOD at DTD.

I really want the Jim Shore piece too; I am hoping that he comes back to our shop again in December and I can get him to sign it. I had to wait over a hour last time, though and I didn't like that (not after spending hours on my feet already).