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Some Things Owners of Antiques and Collectables Should Think About
25 June 2011
[The following is a paper that IAC director, John Mildwaters, was requested to give to Retirees at the 2011 Ipswich Home Show]
In my various jobs, I have dealt with ‘People With Antiques’ who were in a variety of situations; most pleasant, some neutral, occasionally sad. I will use those three situations as a framework to address some of the things I believe owners of antiques and collectables should, at least, think about when considering the future.
The pleasant aspects of antiques and collectables are many, including -
- The not to be underrated pleasure of simply owning and living with beautiful things.
- Keeping artefacts as a way of preserving links with family history.
- The financial benefits of furnishings that hold their value rather than becoming worthless after a few years.
- Not having to redecorate as fashions change - antiques never go out of fashion.
- The environmental plus - antiques are constantly recycled and any carbon costs were extinguished years ago.
General things can include -
- Maintenance and preservation.
- Insurance.
- Recording.
- Valuation.
The sad things can include -
- Loss of the items.
- Forced disposal.
- Estate planning.
- Family disputes.