My collection after I transition...

Marty Johnson · 2025-08-17T22:40:37Z

As you folks may recall, I recently acquired approximately 25 - 30 large-scale models (Pocher, IXO, Agora, DeAgostini, and LeGrand) from the estate of a collector. Some were already assembled, or built models from the manufacturer. However, most were unassembled models that were not in the original boxes. The collector, with limited storage space, placed the parts in plastic baggies. His process required me to sort through all of the baggies, ensuring that all the parts were present before I listed them on eBay. As you might imagine, it was quite the chore on my part. The Big Boss (my wife) witnessed the entire ordeal. Indeed, watching me, an experienced collector, toil and sweat over trying to go through everything as I began liquidating all of the models, frightened her. My wife's concern is that after I punch out of here, she's going to be left with my 350-piece collection and will be faced with the overwhelming prospect of liquidating it. Indeed, for the last 10 years or so, she has been imploring me to liquidate my collection while I'm still here. I've resisted that notion because the models bring me enormous joy that she doesn't quite comprehend. However, we've reached a solution. I have most of the original boxes of most of the collection. I have made arrangements for someone to help her liquidate the entire collection with a SINGLE sale. However, for that to happen, she will be required to place the models in their respective boxes. She was afraid that even though I have a detailed spreadsheet thoroughly describing each model, she wouldn't be able to identify which model goes in which box. To make it easy for her, I've numbered all of the models and boxes and noted the corresponding number on my model car spreadsheet. Car #1 will go in box #1, and is #1 on the spreadsheet. Ditto with car #2, box #2, and code #2 on the spreadsheet, and so on. This was an acceptable compromise for the Big Boss, and I've completed the numbering process. Now I can live out the rest of my days without pressure regarding selling my collection. I will say this exercise was quite illuminating. One, I realized that I don't have boxes for ALL of my collection. Apparently, I forgot that in the early stages, I didn't understand the value of holding on to boxes. Fortunately, much of my early collecting was of worthless models like Burago, Maisto, and other models of that ilk. When I began buying more high-end models (Exoto, CMC, Kyosho, Autoart, etc.) I began saving/storing the boxes. So, the majority of the better, high-end models in my collection, I still have the original boxes. I also learned that I forgot that I had duplicates of many of them. With some specific models that at the time of purchase I deemed to be unique and in short supply, I'd buy two or three of the same model and store them away for future financial "prosperity." Some have gained in value, and some have not. But, since I found these stored away models, I've been selling them on eBay, putting some bucks in my pocket while "culling" the herd! LOL! I've also discovered a few "recording" errors. I've made a few mistakes with wrong descriptions, model years, model names, and that sort of thing. So, this process enabled me to make corrections to my records. All in all, this has been a very satisfying process. As far as I'm concerned, the question of what will happen with my collection has been resolved. More importantly, the Big Boss is happy as well. As we know, Happy Spouse, Happy House, and Happy Wife, Happy Life.