b'By Jim and Bobbi Jeen Olson,WesternTradingPost.comFrom the Antiquing Log Book by Kennedy Jolie JuniorI t happens pretty much daily. Someone tries to sell a collection thatSome of the better-recorded collections we have come across are belonged to a loved one who is deceased and they have no idea what itnumbered (usually with a little tag or something in a discrete place on is, or the value. Unfortunately, they wind up at the establishment of athe item) and there is a corresponding catalog or ledger. In the catalog or person whose theory is, They should do a little research before selling, orledger, there is a brief description and a value (or what was paid for it). Its not my job to educate em and buy it too. Sad but true, there are some out there who love it when someone Doesnt know what they have. TheyFor example, if you bought an original Coca-Cola sign for $500, you circle like sharks. might place a small tag on it somewhere and give it a number. Then, in your ledger write original Coca-Cola sign, circa the 1940s (not a re-pop). Would you like to avoid having your heirs wind up in the aforementionedPaid $500. Then keep the original receipt with the ledger in a safe place. If situation and sell your cherished collection for pennies on the dollar?you happen to sell that item before passing, draw a line through it and/or Then you had better start keeping records. As dealers, we hear it every day,mark it as sold and date it. My kids just dont care about this stuff. However, there is something you can do to help your heirs from beyond the grave. By doing the above you have accomplished several things. First, you have left good information for an heir so they know what they have. You have A good suggestion is to try to educate your heirs about the collectionitsgiven them a general idea of value (of course this can change with market history and its possible monetary value. But, unless they are interested,conditions, but at least it is a starting point). By keeping the receipt it it will probably go in one ear and out the other. People generally tend tohelps provide provenance (which can be important when selling) and only retain the information they are interested in, and if your collectionif you happen to have already sold it, by marking it as such, your heirs is not high on their radar, you had better start thinking of other ways todont suspect the item has gone missing (not a happy situation because make sure they know what they have after you are gone. then accusations can fly). There is no question about the item if properly recorded in such a manner. Many folks start liquidating in their twilight years. It is easier to leave money than items, which would probably end up in a yard sale becauseOther helpful hints we have come across are instructions such as, If they dont know what they have. This is a common phrase with agingyou need to sell this contact __________ they are reputable dealers and collectors. But what if you dont want to sell and wish to enjoy yourknow what it is. Or, My friend ________ has always wanted to buy this, collection till the end? Perhaps you even hope that one of the kidstalk to him about it first. We have also seen auction catalogs of similar or grandkids does take an interest in it someday. Or worse yet, whatclass items left for the heirs, so when they find the catalogs they have if something were to happen to you sooner than expected? Are youmaterial to go over so they can educate themselves. We have even seen prepared? Would the collection be in good hands? it mentioned in a persons will, When I pass away, call _________ to disperse of any items in the collection you dont want to keep. I trust them One of the best things you can do is keep records of the items as theyto handle it properly. Instructions such as these can be very helpful.are acquired. A receipt is a good start, however, often when someone has inherited a collection they end up with a drawer full of receipts that meanNone of us like to think about our demise, but as the saying goes, There nothing to them. They dont even know which item belongs with whicharent any of us getting out of this ol world alive. So one of the best things receipt and half the time, either some of the items have already been soldyou can do as a collector is to leave good records so the collection doesnt off (leaving extra receipts), or there are not as many receipts as there arefall into improper hands. One of our duties as collectors is to help preserve items. So while a drawer full of recipes is better than nothing, it is a prettythe articles properly so the next generation can enjoy them as well. Part of lame excuse for record-keeping. that duty involves getting the items into good hands when we are goneand good record keeping can assist greatly in that process. 46 August 2022'