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#1 Bjorn Kjer

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Posted 25 September 2007 - 11:02

:wave: Sometimes I wonder what is going to happen with my collection when I pass away. Or what do I want to happen with it ? Has any of you done that too ? I do not find it a delicate subject , but..............

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#2 David McKinney

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Posted 25 September 2007 - 11:25

You can make provision for the disposal of everything in your will - either for your executors to sell, and the proceeds to go to your estate, or provide for everything to be given to a worthy cause (archive, museum etc or friends)
Chacun à son gout
Whatever you do, don't let your executors take eveything to the dump :down:

#3 Bjorn Kjer

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Posted 25 September 2007 - 12:05

I have only a small family , 2 daughters , and I would not like them to have the trouble "getting rid" of it . But living in Denmark does not make it easier to find a "good home" as we do not have motorracing heritage museum or clubs or ....as in GB!

#4 2F-001

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Posted 25 September 2007 - 12:06

This matter in general is probably a good reason to list, catalogue or otherwise record the material or artifacts so that the collection or body of material and books is specifically defined and can be located and identified after you've gone.
And make it clear that such a record or catalogue exists.
Not that I've done any of what I preach... yet.

#5 Terry Walker

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Posted 25 September 2007 - 12:15

"The Bjorn Kjer Motor Sport Collection", at the Library in Copenhagen perhaps.

#6 Ray Bell

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Posted 25 September 2007 - 12:45

Willing such collections to a museum or similar is no guarantee that they will be treated with respect...

The museum might determine that the materials are outside their field of interest, of too little value to bother with or simply not what the people in charge want to know about. Displaying a range of books and photos is difficult for such people, so I think it would be wise to discuss these things with intended beneficaries before you commit your instructions to paper.

The Research Center at Watkins Glen would be another matter.

#7 a1topdog

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Posted 27 September 2007 - 13:04

I had been thinking about this myself recently. I've decided to sell off what I have.
I see this as having two benefits. 1. I get the money to do with as I want and 2. I know the items have gone to someone who wants them and not the dump.

#8 Stefan Ornerdal

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Posted 27 September 2007 - 16:52

And what do you do with a racing web-page when you are gone?
Like Björn, my family only consist of two daughters, who are not at all interesting in racing. They have no idea or interest how to log-in, find and what to do with my files.
The folder on my hard-disc named "Racing" today has 4822 files. About 3200-3300 of these files are uploaded on the net. Of course I do CD-back-up's quite often. And of course my web-page is not worth very much, in the whole of things, but for some people I know that the site is very valuable.

What happens with my site if tomorrow I'm run over by a train?

Kind regards
Stefan
www.formula2.net
stefan.ornerdal@minmail.net

#9 HDonaldCapps

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Posted 27 September 2007 - 17:16

What happens with my site if tomorrow I'm run over by a train?


This is the corollary of the books and files and whatnot that you patiently assembled over the years being either placed at the curb for pickup by the trashmen or gathering dust on a shelf if a museum actually accepted the collection. Most will simply take the collection and sell it on eBay if they can. Not a problem if the collection contains duplicates of what they already have, but another story if they just do it -- then again, what is it to you, you are already out of the equation, correct?

An alternative to the above scenarios is to think ahead a little bit and arrange to have items -- if not the entire collection -- given to a friend or a group that might have an appreciation for you materials. Almost all of my "academic" collection has already been sent on its way down this route, books that might otherwise end up in the public library book sale rather than on the shelves since they are, well, "old" and rather "specialized." With a few exceptions, the remainder of the books I used as a "real" historian will be joining the others in the future. At least they have a good home and there are those who actually the time to look at and read them.

As for the motor racing material, the IMRRC gets the first shot at whatever it wants. Given that there is an inevitable amount of duplication and overlap in both collections, the IMRRC selling the duplicates is fine by me.

This is a topic we really need to think more about since there is one that affects many of us.

#10 KJJ

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Posted 27 September 2007 - 17:53

Many years ago I was involved in the audit of one of the world's great libraries. Widows in the main would often donate their late husbands' book collections to the institution. The staff would pick out the one or two items of interest and consign the rest to a storage area where, every few months or so, second hand book dealers would turn up and make an offer. The money raised was used to fund the library's excellent sports and social club! Certainly the library or club receiving donations needs to be selected with care and in many cases ebay would seem to be a better option.

As for web sites, these seem to me to have much in common with medieval manuscripts. Many will disappear without a trace, the best will be copied, added to, occasionally improved, perhaps more often mangled.

#11 HistoricMustang

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Posted 27 September 2007 - 20:15

Our non-profit organization has been contacted by several individuals about their collections. Our advise has been to have the collections appraised and then they be given, as a gift, to a proper 501C3 non-profit motorsports organization, like ours, and then these monies can be deducted from their taxes.

The issue AIRPS currently has is no place to "house" these collections until such time that funding become available for their placement in the library on location here at the former Augusta International Raceway. They would then ultimately go into our planned museum at the former road circuit.

An endowment from some organization, lets say an F1 or NASCAR sponsor, could make this happen very quickly.

Henry

#12 Bjorn Kjer

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Posted 29 September 2007 - 07:46

Thanks for sharing some of your thoughts on this matter !

#13 275 GTB-4

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Posted 29 September 2007 - 09:41

Originally posted by HDonaldCapps


This is the corollary of the books and files and whatnot that you patiently assembled over the years being either placed at the curb for pickup by the trashmen or gathering dust on a shelf if a museum actually accepted the collection. Most will simply take the collection and sell it on eBay if they can. Not a problem if the collection contains duplicates of what they already have, but another story if they just do it -- then again, what is it to you, you are already out of the equation, correct?

An alternative to the above scenarios is to think ahead a little bit and arrange to have items -- if not the entire collection -- given to a friend or a group that might have an appreciation for you materials. Almost all of my "academic" collection has already been sent on its way down this route, books that might otherwise end up in the public library book sale rather than on the shelves since they are, well, "old" and rather "specialized." With a few exceptions, the remainder of the books I used as a "real" historian will be joining the others in the future. At least they have a good home and there are those who actually the time to look at and read them.

As for the motor racing material, the IMRRC gets the first shot at whatever it wants. Given that there is an inevitable amount of duplication and overlap in both collections, the IMRRC selling the duplicates is fine by me.

This is a topic we really need to think more about since there is one that affects many of us.


One answer to that Don, is to back-up your website in a machine-readable format that isn't locked into some proprietary software. Then, regularly send the back-ups to a few people, one of which should be the executor of your last will and testament where you can designate the final resting place(s) for the work.

#14 Frank de Jong

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Posted 29 September 2007 - 18:06

Originally posted by Stefan Ornerdal
And what do you do with a racing web-page when you are gone?
Like Björn, my family only consist of two daughters, who are not at all interesting in racing. They have no idea or interest how to log-in, find and what to do with my files.
The folder on my hard-disc named "Racing" today has 4822 files. About 3200-3300 of these files are uploaded on the net. Of course I do CD-back-up's quite often. And of course my web-page is not worth very much, in the whole of things, but for some people I know that the site is very valuable.

What happens with my site if tomorrow I'm run over by a train?

Kind regards
Stefan
www.formula2.net
stefan.ornerdal@minmail.net


Stefan, I don't even have any kids and my cat is only interested in food, not racing!

I suppose it might be wise to team up with someone else; in that case, the site of the other could be "frozen" after the meeting with the train or any other nasty fatality. The site could indicate that it is no longer been maintained. Some sort of a tombstone, so to speak.
I would be happy to another site - but maintenance is a different matter...

#15 HDonaldCapps

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Posted 29 September 2007 - 20:03

A question often avoided is this one: what will happen to TNF when someone at Haymarket or Autosport decides that it is a waste of time and electrons? Don't say that it can't happen. Take a look around and then think again.

#16 Doug Nye

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Posted 29 September 2007 - 20:26

I was trained and conditioned by good and wise people to appreciate that museums - sadly - tend to treat donated artefacts in the following alternative ways:

1 - They will neglect it.
2 - They will lose it.
3 - They will sell it.

So if you have offspring who will benefit from a lifetime's collecting, would you allow 1, 2 or 3 to happen to the fruits of your interest? Or would you simply apply '3' off your own bat, upon their behalf?

DCN

#17 FLB

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Posted 29 September 2007 - 21:50

Originally posted by Doug Nye
I was trained and conditioned by good and wise people to appreciate that museums - sadly - tend to treat donated artefacts in the following alternative ways:

1 - They will neglect it.
2 - They will lose it.
3 - They will sell it.

So if you have offspring who will benefit from a lifetime's collecting, would you allow 1, 2 or 3 to happen to the fruits of your interest? Or would you simply apply '3' off your own bat, upon their behalf?

DCN

From your experience, specialist museums as well? I didn't get that feeling from Mark Steigerwald when I went to the IMRRC in 2004. I can understand that they are looking for documents more than memorabilia, but I felt the documents I donated had found the right home, with somebody who cared about them.

#18 McGuire

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Posted 29 September 2007 - 22:01

Originally posted by Doug Nye
I was trained and conditioned by good and wise people to appreciate that museums - sadly - tend to treat donated artefacts in the following alternative ways:

1 - They will neglect it.
2 - They will lose it.
3 - They will sell it.

So if you have offspring who will benefit from a lifetime's collecting, would you allow 1, 2 or 3 to happen to the fruits of your interest? Or would you simply apply '3' off your own bat, upon their behalf?

DCN


I agree with that 120 percent. My daughters already have my instructions: Keep whatever few things they want for themselves for whatever reason, obtain competitive bids and sell the rest. Then enjoy the money. I am confident the greed I also instilled in them will compel them to do the right thing.

I may even beat them to it and sell it all myself, but I shudder to think what a hassle that would be. Collecting is a rather silly and illusory game when you get right down to it. Several times I have gotten all excited over some bookstore find only to take it home and discover I already had a copy. Recently it occurred to me that I am now at the age where if I stopped collecting and started reading today, I won't live long enough to enjoy it all. Too many books, too little time. Perhaps some pretty young girl with an interest in such things could come along and use her charms to cheat me out of the entire mess. Too much to hope for I suppose.

#19 Twin Window

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Posted 29 September 2007 - 22:03

Originally posted by HDonaldCapps

This is a topic we really need to think more about since there is one that affects many of us.

Ultimately, it will effect all of us!

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#20 275 GTB-4

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Posted 30 September 2007 - 11:33

Originally posted by HDonaldCapps
A question often avoided is this one: what will happen to TNF when someone at Haymarket or Autosport decides that it is a waste of time and electrons? Don't say that it can't happen. Take a look around and then think again.


I am on record as saying that TNF and Ten-Tenths should somehow be merged into the one database (after cleaning up and providing the result with the right search tools)....the only way these fine suppositories will be saved is by virtue of a non-profit foundation or grass-roots mutual appreciation society (preferably funded by a rich benefactor!!).

I hate to say it, but something half-assed like Wikipedia may be our only hope :(

#21 HistoricMustang

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Posted 02 October 2007 - 20:24

Along these same lines I am glad to say things are beginning to shape up here in the States on the Heritage front.



OK, the 2008 schedule is beginning to take shape already!

September 6, 2008 - Augusta International Raceway Preservation Society presents the 5th Annual "Celebrating Motorsports Racing Heritage".

www.augustavintagenationals.com or www.augustainternationalraceway.com

September 26, 2008 - The Historic Speedway Group presents the 2nd Annual "Celebration of the Automobile"

http://www.historics...eedwaygroup.php

Should be able to post dates for: Save The Speedway Motorsports, National Vintage Racing Association, Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association and the Living Legends of Auto Racing in the nexr future.

Check this one out! Over 40,000 fans attended and this organization is less than one year old.

http://www.historicspeedwaygroup.org/

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#22 Bjorn Kjer

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Posted 01 July 2009 - 12:17

Older thread , new comments ?

#23 Nanni Dietrich

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Posted 01 July 2009 - 12:32

Older thread , new comments ?


As Bjørn, I have two daughters who do NOT love motorsport.

In my basement I have my collection of old magazines. A number of cartons, with complete years, since 1969/1970 (I'm going to divorce... :smoking: ).

Considering that by e-bay they sell one issue of Autosprint, Autosport, Auto Italiana or Motorsport at about 10/15 or 20 euros each issue... think I will leave them a very good legacy...
:)

#24 B Squared

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Posted 01 July 2009 - 13:38

The Research Center at Watkins Glen would be another matter.



As for the motor racing material, the IMRRC gets the first shot at whatever it wants.


At this point in time, I'd have to agree with Ray and Don. I've got an older brother who would be my first viable choice. His two sons have grown up in a racing mad family and have yet to show an interest in carrying on our legacy. It pains me to the core.

Brian


#25 Barry Boor

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Posted 01 July 2009 - 20:34

I have two separate problems....

My diecast collection, which currently numbers around 350 will need to be returned to its relevant boxes.... and then sold, some way or another. If I have advanced warning I will have time to do that myself but it ain't always how it works.

As for whichever series of slot cars I happen to have at the time, a certain toy and model museum in Brighton has expressed interest in displaying them; can't think why!

BUT, all this has to be put into a not-yet-written will.

As for my book collection.... :confused:

#26 Flat Black 84

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Posted 01 July 2009 - 21:04

I am on record as saying that TNF and Ten-Tenths should somehow be merged into the one database (after cleaning up and providing the result with the right search tools)....the only way these fine suppositories will be saved


Lord knows I've had a dispute or two here on TNF, but I would never stoop to calling it a suppository...


#27 Gregor Marshall

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Posted 01 July 2009 - 21:48

As someone who went through a similar thing when my Dad passed away it's not easy, especially when executors aren't necessarily race fans - Dad had a huge library of books (5,000 maybe), some rare, some not, but generally all signed by interesting people and as a person (me) who is interested in motor racing and cars I would have loved to have kept some of them (DCN's BRM books especially, all signed by numerous BRM people but could I afford the £600 valuation of them? No), you get 10 books and you've spent over a thousand pounds for what? A great book that is signed by some great people but ends up in my bookcase doing what?
Anyway, just my personal thing and I have my own little collection that I like (books signed by Roger Clark, Tony Lanfranchi, all of Gregor Grant's books, the odd Floyd Clymer, DCN and Graham Gauld book, etc) but when I go it's not worth anything as such but I hope they go somewhere along with all of Dad's diaries, programmes of races, results sheets, Autosports, any car magazine Dad appeared in, all my racing footage, my Bentley stuff, etc, etc but where does it all go?
Bjorn - when you get the answer please let us all all know!

#28 eurocardoc

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Posted 03 July 2009 - 11:39

As someone who went through a similar thing when my Dad passed away it's not easy, especially when executors aren't necessarily race fans - Dad had a huge library of books (5,000 maybe), some rare, some not, but generally all signed by interesting people and as a person (me) who is interested in motor racing and cars I would have loved to have kept some of them (DCN's BRM books especially, all signed by numerous BRM people but could I afford the £600 valuation of them? No), you get 10 books and you've spent over a thousand pounds for what? A great book that is signed by some great people but ends up in my bookcase doing what?
Anyway, just my personal thing and I have my own little collection that I like (books signed by Roger Clark, Tony Lanfranchi, all of Gregor Grant's books, the odd Floyd Clymer, DCN and Graham Gauld book, etc) but when I go it's not worth anything as such but I hope they go somewhere along with all of Dad's diaries, programmes of races, results sheets, Autosports, any car magazine Dad appeared in, all my racing footage, my Bentley stuff, etc, etc but where does it all go?
Bjorn - when you get the answer please let us all all know!

How true! I have a collection of books, models as well as my past credentials etc. and know full well that they will be virtually meaningless to my 2 kids. I will probably catalogue and sell them on e-bay, hopefully to persons sympathetic to 70s nostalgia! The thought of the 'round file cabinet' route is a little disturbing.
As DCN mentions, the passage of time modifies the thinking of museum curators and things are often moved,sold,lost.