General Forum

I am planning, in no particular order.

• Pass along cards that are interesting to my kids - the most interest has been in N224 Kinney cards
• Sell cards of value to fund retirement travel
• Give away cards that won't bring in a lot of value, but took some time to accumulate. For instance, how much are you really going to get for a collection of Hosken Powell cards? I rather them go to an interested party, then get pennies on the dollars it took to get team issues, minor league cards, oddballs, etc.

My collecting habits are a punchline to my family; kids included. I've never collected for value, so there is no concern that a devious reseller will get his adrenalin shot at the garage sale.  I have started the collecting bug with my Army Brother's son. I've also told my Brother to prepare himself due to the Browns collection coming his way after I expire. His problem now to go with the natural Browns' affliction.

I've collected lots of different things over the years; vintage video games, playing cards, sports cards, pinball machines, etc.  When my kids were in their toddler years (2 girls, currently 15 and 17) the wife and I went and had our wills drawn up, you know, just in case something were to happen.  Glad we did, because at the time we had no idea my wife would be taken from us at 40 years old (cancer).  So, leaving me as a single father at the moment, I've asked around the community of friends/contacts that I've made over the years and have found a few people to act as a 'guide' for anything I've got in my collection.  I've added an additional handwritten sheet to my will with contact information of these few folks who can at least help my girls determine what I've got and what to do with it.  

Hopefully it doesn't come to that soon because I've been collecting cheap unopened blasters/megas/monster boxes to open in retirement (Currently 45, so 20 or so years), assuming I can keep my mitts off of them until then.

Everyone should have a pass-away plan for their collection.  Your spouse and family will be going through enough, they don't need to go through a few dozen monster boxes of commons wondering if's trash or treasure.  At least ensure your valuable and sentimental cards are organized and separated from the rest of the horde.

My Blue Jays collection will be donated to the Jays Care Foundation to auction off and hopefully raise some money.

The plan for at least 10 years has been for the collection to be sold and the money split between some animal rescues. I've since added Lahaina Restoration Foundation to the list in honor of the town that has been dear to me and my family for over 100 years. 

My brother can keep what he wants of all my things, sell the rest, and the money goes to charity. 

No expensive misery prolonging treatments for me. Chemo killed my grandma and the Evil C took my grandfather and aunt. When it comes for me, so be it. The money can benefit others.

40s is hopefully a long way off, but I get it.

Any kids in the family?  Nieces or Nephews?  If so, start getting them hooked on collecting.  Take them with you to card shows.  Give them some of your doubles for their own collections.  Then you'll have someone in your family who would want it all after you are gone.  Or if you have collector friends with their own kids, you could leave it to them (or grandkids).

Otherwise, there are always charities you could leave it all to.  You could leave instructions of how you'd want them to handle it (auction it, sell it as a single lot, etc) or you could leave instructions for it all to be given to youth groups.

You could also instruct whoever is going to handle your estate to pick a random person, like someone from this site (which hopefully will still be around then), and just send it all to them.

My children nor my grandchildren are interested in my collection, so I've instructed my wife/son to contact the local card shop, (whom are familiar with me and my collection), to come offer them a price with the stipulation that they take it all-lock, stock, & barrel: cards, memorabilia, bobble heads, etc. so that my family doesn't have to mess with it.

When I pass I will be doing nothing with them. My sister gets them and she will give them to her two sons. She did freak out the last time she was here when she saw the cards have their own room. :) 

Thank you to all that replied Its a hard topic to think of however as was mentioned by SoberPirate people can be taken from us early. (sorry for your loss)

 If the hobby is still around in 40-50+ years Maybe I will find someone that is interested in the collection (not the $$) or give it to a charity. My dad was still collecting do the day he passed in his mid to late 60's. I know i will do the same. I have been doing this for 40 years now and dont see a reason to stop for the next 40-50+ years. Wow to say you have been collection sports cards for 80+ years. thats hard to imagine.