What to do with unusual artworks?

[braumeister]

Thanks, folks. Just to be clear, I've never wanted to get rid of them; just tried to find a good eventual home for them.

Total cost of the three items was probably about $1,000 in today's money, so not a big deal. I bought them decades ago.

When I get old enough I'll probably look around again to find a home for them.

[RunningBum]

OK, in post #6 you seemed to indicate you tried ebay/Craigslist and only got lowball offers. I'm assuming you were offering immediate delivery then.

[Sunset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister Thanks, folks. Just to be clear, I've never wanted to get rid of them; just tried to find a good eventual home for them. Total cost of the three items was probably about $1,000 in today's money, so not a big deal. I bought them decades ago. ......

I was thinking that they had a bigger value, but at this value range, it's like a 50" LED tv, and most folks don't even think of what will become of it, will the kids want it, or sell it for $10 when I'm gone, who cares.

I have not put any thought into what the kids will do with my personal stuff as most of it is worth little compared to the rest of the inheritance.

So I enjoy my stuff, for the personal satisfaction it gives me, I'm sure some garage hound will scoop it up when I'm gone.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBum Sounds like you've done a decent amount of work to try to find a good place for them. At this point I think I'd just enjoy them for the rest of my life and not worry about what happens to them. Why try to sell them now while you can still appreciate them? Since you have no kids, what is your plan for all of your "stuff" when you go? I'd guess your executor will hold an estate sale, so these can be a part of it and maybe someone will buy and appreciate them. Even if they get it for a lowball price, I think it'd be kind of nice to imagine that someone who might not easily afford some nice artwork could get something like this and appreciate it. After all, you say you paid very little for them, whatever that means.

I have a number of pieces of art that I think are absolutely wonderful and amazing. I searched and searched all over this area, and found them hiding in various antique shops and "junk shops" around here. None cost me more than $50, IIRC, except one sculpture and even that was not too much more.

I think that the long search for beautiful art made me appreciate the special pieces that I found, more than if I had just gone to an upscale gallery and paid through the nose. One is even an original print and might (or might not) be worth something. It is beautiful and adds to my daily enjoyment of life.

When I pass away, probably most of it will end up either in the dump or back at those same junk shops, for somebody else to find and adore.

[braumeister]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBum OK, in post #6 you seemed to indicate you tried ebay/Craigslist and only got lowball offers. I'm assuming you were offering immediate delivery then.

Sorry, that's not what I meant. I contacted several dealers in similar objects. Not for consignment; just wanted to find out what they thought the things were worth.

[MRG]

I guess I understand the museum and universities.

We were at Chimney rock a few weeks ago and the guide was asked about future excavations. Her reply was in order to get permits they had to have a museum or university who would take the artifacts and they were all full.

[Badger]

I'm not surprised that you are having trouble finding a buyer. Art is not a big seller unless you have well recognized artists and then it is often at a loss from original purchase. I have a few small works by Dali I bought many decades ago and would be surprised if I was to get what I paid. I have also been a ceramic artist/potter for quite a few years and sell at art fairs with minimal results even at what many consider very low prices for nice work. I make enough to pay for clay and not much else. Too many people want WalMart prices for plastic from China. Glad I don't have to make a living at this.

Cheers!