What will happen to my collection?

Interesting article, and thanks for posting it.  Even with my relatively small (less than 200 models) including cars (1/43 and 1/64), planes (1/48 and 1/72), trains (1/64), and a few military vehicles (1/72); I do think about this. None of my relatives would be interested, and the only people I know who would be interested are likely reading this and may face the same problem.

Regarding 1/64 scale trains, I have a question for John Quilter.  If you are reading this, please send me an email at edwardbd51@gmail.com

An insightful, empathetic article that honestly addresses pertinent concerns that frankly, we all must face. Of course, the very best way to combat foolish liquidations is to "sell off" when "all is well" but few of us are willing to do so.

@chris, you're right. It's hard to part with them. But, I've found that it gets easier once you get started.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

@chris, you're right. It's hard to part with them. But, I've found that it gets easier once you get started.

But the question is,  are you acquiring more than you are off loading?

John, I agree.  Now that I am in my eighties, I have started selling off parts of my rather varied collection.  Because they were not of my primary interest (any longer), I have started with my US Army soldiers, American made in the several years preceding the end of metal toys early in World War II.  I have been breaking them up into groupings of three or four and placing them on the 'bay at a $12 minimum for the grouping with a week of bidding.  A few have sold for the minimum, and even fewer have ended with no bids.  But most of them have brought a pretty good return. The second photo shows what I have left, about half of what I started with.  Right now I'm taking a couple of weeks off for Christmas, but I should finish the soldiers by spring, well, maybe late spring.  At this rate I should finish my whole collection, including my 1/43 scale models, about the time I reach a full century.  Nevermind, it's keeping me occupied. 

  okay, I included a TRON Dodge in the first shot just to show how these soldiers don't fit alongside my scale models.

What happens to my collection used to be a regular thought and question.  A lot of people ask me, "What's going to happen to your car collection after you pass"?  When I was a few years younger (I'm 71 now), I used to actually feel I needed to be concerned about what will happen to it.  Not any more.  Yes, the hard facts are that my family certainly doesn't have any interest in it, and I'm not sure they'd want to make the time and effort to liquidate it if they had to, but it's likely they will have to deal with it.  Once I'm gone, it belongs to them, and what they do with it is of no concern to me.

Yes, I could start thinking ahead and try selling it a little bit here and there or even as a whole, but don't want to do that.  The collection makes me happy.  I've never sold a model, as I wouldn't have purchased it, if I'd not wanted it. 

So it comes down to this.  My collection is mine to enjoy while I'm on the planet and when I'm gone, it is no longer a important to me as to what becomes of it.  I'd like the family to benefit by it if they could, but in the scheme of it all, it doesn't matter. 

So that said, if they can find a home for it, hurray!  But if they can't or don't want to, they can take the models out to the garbage bins for a Tuesday morning pick-up.  Truth be told, I feel the same way about every other belonging I have the same way. 

Personally, and I'm sorry that this may sound crass, but I think we all put way to much thought in to the importance of our "stuff" and what happens to it after we're gone.    

All the replies so far take a rather pessimistic view of our futures. Who really knows what happens after our earthly lives have ended? I fully expect to bring my collection along with me to the Great Beyond!

Posted by: @moe-parr

All the replies so far take a rather pessimistic view of our futures. Who really knows what happens after our earthly lives have ended? I fully expect to bring my collection along with me to the Great Beyond!

I'm not saying that I wouldn't like to take my collection(s) with me when I depart, only that I've not known anyone that has ever done it.  I believe that they are our toys to play with while we're here.  Same as money, the old saying has always been, "You can't take it with you".  

Posted by: @georgeschire

I'm not saying that I wouldn't like to take my collection(s) with me when I depart, only that I've not known anyone that has ever done it. 

Ever known anyone who confirmed that their collection DIDN'T come along with them? I'm gonna take the optimistic view on this one

Posted by: @moe-parr

Posted by: @georgeschire

I'm not saying that I wouldn't like to take my collection(s) with me when I depart, only that I've not known anyone that has ever done it. 

Ever known anyone who confirmed that their collection DIDN'T come along with them? I'm gonna take the optimistic view on this one

No, never heard personally from anyone who left the planet that they took their collection(s) with them, BUT, I've lost many friends/family whose collection(s) were left behind.  With that, I conclude that we can't (aren't able to) take them with us when make the trip.