What will happen to your collection when you're gone?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Joe, once a museum has an item, they are the legal owners and can do with it as they see fit with it. In many cases this means sell it. If the item is not what the museum wants, ie their specialist subject, they often have no real interest in it. Things also go "missing" ......They are under no obligation to display an item. I know Vets who have donated items which have never seen a display case. Also some storage conditions in some stock rooms are terrible. As is the way they catalog items.

I have been behind the scenes in many UK and European museums and on the whole I am not impressed.

Cheers, Ade.

[Nitram]

I've heard many similar stories about museums, thankfully the local aviation museum displays everything they have, from fully restored aircraft, to relic wrecks which are in storage (the visitors have access to see them.). Even the workshop where parts are restored is partially open to visitors.

Considering I'm 18 and just started collecting recently, I think my stuff is safe for now.

Nitram

[James C]

my 6 year old daughter keeps reminding me that im just looking after my collection untill she's ready , so i quess its an investment for her

[jimpy]

What bits and pieces that I have when I "kick the bucket" will be split between my two sons - but it will be the wife who decides HOW it will be split, thats assuming that she doesn't just sell it and split any proceeds.

Regards etc

Ian D

AKA: Jimpy

[RH1941]

I tell my wife to keep what my son wants and to sell the rest. I also tell her not to sell to a dealer ( no offence to you dealers out there) but you guys don't pay . Also if anybody offers to appraised my collection don't sell to them either

[GIZMO8Z]

Thanks for the responses, fellows!

[Frundsberg]

Have you ever thought how complicated it will be to sell a militaria collection if you do not know anything of the real value of these items? And it is also true that only a few relatives have the same hobby we do. For example for my wife all helmets, ammo crates etc. is just a useless junk. When i'm gone she has nothing to do with all of this stuff. The only part of collections she likes are the awards because she likes the design of III Reich military awards. So I belive it is just the best solution to give in your will some addresses of the militaria dealers you trust and also prices of the items so your relatives can easily sell your collection.

[kc1]

Personally i'd pre brief someone to sell by auction. Don't put any items in a will to be left to anyone otherwise the taxman will put the value onto your estate which may mean a tax bill for inheritance tax (U.K only) And the big assumption we are all making is that anyone will want to buy these items in the future.

[don_kihotis7]

A sad thing to start thinking from now, but i hope that until then i will be able to know the right person who will take my collection.

[Styx]

Bit of a bleak question! But I've thought about it too (despite the fact I'm only 17 and, like everyone, hope I have a while to wait). It's odd thinking how although we enjoy these collections now, they will ultimately outlast us. I'll probably pass them down the family, or if not, assuming I have any similarly interested friends at the time, I'll pass it to them.

Robbie