COLLECTORS UNDER QUARANTINE
Thank you for visiting Mahn Miller Collective, Inc. Contact us if you need assistance with your celebrity memorabilia appraisal or other service.
Document Your Collections
Many people will find themselves at home in the coming weeks with some extra time on their hands. Some will be using that time to clear up those projects sitting on the back burner.
If you haven’t reviewed your memorabilia or art collections or other items in your home for a while, this is a great opportunity.
Clean
Start with a thorough cleaning of your artwork, memorabilia, and other valuables. For tips on the proper way to clean fragile items, here are some articles to help you:
CARING FOR COLLECTIONS: PART I
CARING FOR COLLECTIONS: PART II
Condition Report
While you clean, note any changes in condition. Any new rips, or chips? Are there repairs or restorations that need to be done? Having an up-to-date condition report will assist in the event of catastrophic damage and the need for an appraisal.
Redecorate
It’s time to move any paintings, prints, or works on paper from exterior walls. You will be home to notice if anything is getting too much exposure to sun during the day and needs to be moved. Move items to avoid damage but also to refresh your space.
Clear Out
While you are moving items around, evaluate if pieces have ceased to “spark joy” in your life. Set items aside to gift, donate, or sell.
Document
As an appraiser, I am often surprised by collectors who do not have records for their property. A document file on each piece should include:
the auction catalog, or a page from the auction catalog with a description of the item, a gallery description, or other information from the time of the purchase, including any provenance;
a bill of sale or receipt from a purchase;
a condition report from the time the object was obtained;
an appraisal, if one was performed.
As you review the documents, take a special look at any appraisals. If they are more than five-years-old, contact your appraiser and see if a new appraisal is warranted. (Your appraiser is likely working from home too, and would love to hear from you.)
Catalog
I encourage people with large collections of artwork, memorabilia, or other collectibles to create a catalog of their property. This catalog will assist you if you decide to sell, donate, or pass along your collection. This catalog can be a simple inventory or it can be the place that you store all of the object's documentation. Collectors catalog their property in very individual ways – an excel spreadsheet, file maker pro, or other platforms. Collector Systems has a cloud-based management system, that I am told is very easy to use.
Whatever system you chose, be consistent. The Getty has created a helpful guideline for creating object descriptions that can be found here: Getty Object ID.
However you spend your time in the coming weeks, whether enjoying your collection or in the pursuit of documenting it, stay healthy and keep in touch.