The recent passing of Dave Kolinda brings to mind once again the issue of disposing of a collector's chips (or whatever he/she happened to collect) after they are gone.

First of all, I would like to extend my sympathy to Dave's family. I hardly knew him, but judging from the number of friends he had, he must have been a very nice person, and I'm sure he will be missed.

Most people start a collection, add to it all their lives, and then pass away, leaving their valued collectables for someone else to dispose of.

In some instances people leave the hobby (as several have announced on this board recently) and sell their own collections. More often they hang onto their chips until they die. In this case, sometimes the collection is kept by their significant other as a memory or reminder of their loved one (delaying and complicating the disposal problem). Sometimes they are willed to a younger relative who has expressed an interest. But in most cases the collection is sold.

It is the natural order of things. A lot of chips accumulate in one place, then, after a number of years (10?, 20?, 50?) they come back to the marketplace.

I am wondering how many collectors have made proper arrangements for the disposal of their collections?

It is unfair to leave the burden of your collection to an unknowledgeable (just to avoid the word 'ignorant') loved one. In many cases I would suspect that your significant other may have no idea of the real value of your chips. Either they have no interest in those pretty pieces of clay and plastic that you waste so much time on, or you have not told them how much money you are spending on your hobby, which leaves them in the dark when they need to sell your collection.

I know how difficult it can be to talk about your own impending death. My parents are 81 and 84, and they absolutely refuse to talk about making a will. They probably think that if they haven't made a will they can't die.

If you have a will, be sure to mention your collection and how you want it disposed of.

If you don't have a will, then mention something to your partner, like: "When i go, I want my friend Bill to sell my chips. He knows the hobby and will get you a fair value for them." This is assuming that you have already discussed this with Bill, and that you think you can really trust Bill.

Another alternative (which I really don't like) is to pre-select an auction company to handle the sale. Or (worse) leave it to your executor (or worse yet, your spouse) to select an auction company. Usually, with evaluation fees, cataloging fees, and auction fees, everybody but your spouse is going to come out with some of your money.

The whole point of this ramble is to get you to think ahead. Plan who will take care of your collection when you are gone. Do not add to a loved ones burden by leaving them the responsibility of unloading your junk, and make sure that they get full value for those precious items you have spent half a lifetime collecting.

The bigger and more valuable your collection is, the more important it is that you make the proper arrangements.