This is a problem that all who collect are beset with. Our collectibles have meaning to us, and usually deep emotional attachment. Not always so for members of family, or those who will have to deal with things once we are gone or are incapable of administering to them before we do pass on. Others usually don't know much, if any, detail about the subject matter; likely as not they have little interest in it and often no sense of value. While we'd all like our 'stuff' to be appreciated elsewhere once we're gone, we'd also like to think that some decent monetary value or return will accrue to our heirs, even if they don't want the actual goods. The only way to do this is to leave 'guidance'. That takes time and preparation, can be rather tedious, but must be done. And it can only be done by us!!! I try to keep this info on my computer, but also leave a hard copy printed and on my desk. If others can't access our computers, then what's recorded there won't help. I have even sent a copy of my computer files to a knowledgeable nephew who is one of my will-designated executors. He's also a collector, has a good grasp, but I keep him well in the loop because he doesn't otherwise have all the facts that are known to me. I try to create a short page of info on each major piece, beginning with a photo or two at the top. This makes the item easily identifiable, visually. I record measurements, what I know about its history, provenance, condition, repairs, where collected, from whom, price paid. If I have relevant market info of comparable sales, I note that. I try to keep truly valuable pieces insured, especially if they are very rare or scarce items. Insurance can be costly, so quite often I only insure at partial value, enough to cover original cost, but not necessarily current replacement. My insurer gets a copy of my 'inventory', and I have a standing agreement with them that my insured values will be the 'agreed loss' values, no argument, no need for further evidence. They already have photos and full descriptions. If there are to be disputes, I want them to be hashed out prior to possible loss, not after, when the item is no longer extant. The long and the short of all this is that, as well as playing with our toys and enjoying the 'touchy-feely' fun of handling them, part of our ownership duties involves taking the time, boring as it may be, to record what we know, so that the less-knowledgeable ones to whom we leave the job of 'sorting it all out', have some guidance. If we don't do this much, we do them no favors by expecting them to look after it for us. Most of us have access to a computer, a cell phone, a printer, etc. Aided by this technology, the task isn't all that difficult. It just takes time, and we all have evenings and rainy days. Good luck everyone. PS: As for where our things wind up after we no longer enjoy or can take care of them, they can be given away, possibly sold, auctioned off, donated to a museum or charity. Over that we have little say or control. But it will be of great assistance to anyone involved to have our notes, our background guidance. It may just make the difference in whether our heirs gain little or substantial benefit from our collecting adventures.
