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Inherited a Massive collection

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  • Member since
    November 2019
Inherited a Massive collection
Posted by Kellie B on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 3:34 PM

Hi 

My father Peter Bave recently passed away and left me his entire scale model collection. There are dozen if not hundreds of kits, supplies, and built models. I know he was published in this magazine before so I wanted to reach out and see if anyone knew the best way to go about selling the kits. If you have any resources that you can recommend I would appreciate it. 

My dad loved scale models. It was his escape from the day to day. He won countless awards for his skill and attention to detail. Unfortunately I did not inherit his gifts so the kits are better off in the hands of folks like him.

Thanks 

Kellie

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Monday, December 2, 2019 12:05 PM

Hi Kellie! Sorry for your loss.

Here is one way to sell your dads kits. E-Bay. 

You could also donate them to Veterans hospitals and homes to be used for re-hab. Childrens re-habs are also prime candidates for the kits to help the kids. You could donate the completed planes and other military vehicles to places like the VFW posts. They are usually grateful for them and it is a way for your fathers work to be remembered. I donate my older built kits to a WWII museum. It makes more room on my shelves too. 

Hope that this helps.

Jim  Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Monday, December 2, 2019 12:16 PM

In addition to what Fox suggested, There would probably be a few here that would be interested if you want to go that route of one or two at a time.  Would have to be done as PM's, as no selling allowed on the forum itself.  Would have to inventory what you have and price it out.

Another thought is, if you have a hobby shop close by, see if they would put up a list of what you have for you, with your contact information.

You have my condolences on your loss, I know the feeling well.

  • Member since
    November 2019
Posted by Kellie B on Friday, December 6, 2019 3:20 PM

Thanks! This is exactly the kind of things I needed. I will totally look into Vet hospitals and such. 

  • Member since
    January 2010
Posted by CrashTestDummy on Saturday, December 7, 2019 9:38 AM

In addition to recommendations above, there are folks who make a living buying and selling old kit collections. You probably won't get a lot per kit, but it will save you the hassle of doing the inventory and pricing and everything involved with selling. 

If you are good with selling yourself, and have time, that's great, too, but if you need to get the collection out of the way so you can deal with the rest of the estate, this is an option. 

You'll have to get a hard copy of the Finescale magazine and look up the listings of these businesses in the back of the mag. Depending on what genre most of the kits are, listings in Finescale are probably better for a varied collection, but you may want to look up the similar listings in the back of a magazine like Scale Auto if the collection is mostly scale cars. 

G. Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Saturday, December 7, 2019 12:33 PM

Sorry for your loss. 

Was your father a member of a local model club such as IPMS?  In the past few years our club has liquidated estate collections  of several members.   You may realize a slightly better return than with a commercial entity. The downside is it may take longer 

A word of experience.  Those built models on the shelf have sentimental value but not a lot of commercial value.   Save a couple of dad's favorites ... something for the grandkids to remember.   Donate the others to a VFW post.   Few home modeler's work is 'museum quality'.  

  • Member since
    December 2017
Posted by Dai Phan on Saturday, December 7, 2019 8:05 PM

Greetings,

The most appropriate way is to donate the models to museums and sell unbuilt kits on EB. I am 52 and I have a large amount of built kits that I want someone to enjoy for decades after my passing. Contact aviation museums including airports that often have galleries for model display. For the love of God, please do NOT have garage sell. Your dad's models are too precious and should be admired by generations to come. Dai    

 

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