Over the years I have collected several railroad books. It’s time to downsize and I need advice on the best way to liquidate my collection (and save the kids a chore later on).
If you’re looking to sell, go to a medium that has a large enough audience to include folks with an interest (newspaper in a larger metropolitan area, or maybe an Internet auction site), or target local/regional organizations (NRHS, model railroad clubs).
If you’re considering donation, go to the rail organizations. Consider spreading the collection amongst several organizations. Maybe even be fussy - perhaps gaining a level of confidence that they will be adding the books to their library, not just turning around and selling them.
A lot depends upon the condition of the books, the specific subject matter (historical versus hobby-related), and your tolerance for the selling process (eBay versus resale book dealers).
My brother-in-law, who recently passed away, faced a similar dilemma. He solved his problem by donating the entire set to a local hsitorical society which carried 501(c)3 tax status. The tax deduction may prove more economically beneficial than the ultimate sale proceeds, particularly if there are sales commissions or other fees involved.
Excelent idea. But be aware that in some cases, a public library, in order to kep their collection current within space constraints will sell off volumes with low circulation.
You might look around for a long established railfan club or modeling club that has their own facility and library. Confirm they will keep the collection and put the donor’s name in each volume.
The C&O Historical Society (whose leaders I’ve known and respected) are named in my will as the people who will get the first chance at anything in my collection upon my demise. They are a 501(c)3 group, so that should help my survivors with a tax writeoff.
I think my collection, though pretty extensive from a railfan standpoint, would be underappreciated by anyone who wasn’t a railfan. People who have visited the dungeon know what I mean.
I have found, over the years, the best ways to rationalize a book collection are: 1 - Have a house fire; 2 - Have the plumbing freeze; and 3 - Move! All work wonderfully well. If your kids don’t want them, you simply messed up as a parent! My collection will go to the local historical society &/or public library. Those tomes they don’t want will be put in the annual book sales. I doubt that there will be many buyers for my NYNH&H collection, here in Montana, but some lucky person will scarf them up. I donated a set of six Robert Jones volumes on the history of the “Central Vermont Railway” to the public library in Stowe, VT. They put bookplates on each volume, dedicating them to the original owner. When he passed, his brother had given them to me. They had better still be there, or I’ll set fire to the place! Har! Well, maybe just comprimise the sprinkler system…
Hays
Good question that transends books across all historic rair collections. First, figure what you want to get out of it and whether donation or sale is the best way. Then, look at what it would cost you to sell: listing on Ebay, buying table at trains shows, selling wholesale to a dealer. What would you gain if you donated to a railroad historical society or club? what would they gain? Do announce to the family what you want to do, too. If no one cares, then go get the money and take a trip without them! You might want to check with a few different dealers but avoid regular antique or book dealers unless you know they have a knowldedge of what your collection is about. And you know you might be surprise if you called a grand child in and offered him a book or two and see how he/she reacts away from the crowd. I have sold books at trains shows for years…and it has taken years to get rid of some of them. I also took a bunch to a book dealer whom I know who took the time to check what he could get before buying from me. I could have gotten a lot more for the books had I held on to them and sold them myself…but I would have had to pay for advertising and table space or I’d still have the book. In other words, seek those you trust and know that what you are doing is best for you. Then don’t look back.
I forgot to tell “WMNB4THRTL” (?) on the “What railroad, locomotive books should I buy” (or some such) thread, to visit train/railroadiana meets/sales. I participated in three, two in FL and one in MT. I schlepped 60±years of Trains, Railroad, MR, RMC, etc. mags, plus my collection of hardware, to those meets. Didn’t have much luck, even at bargain prices. Lots of browsers! I did find a guy, in Jacksonville, that had a key to “my” (read: purloined) brass DL&W switch lock. He wanted an exorbitant price for it. I ended up selling him the lock, for an exorbitant price! My only ‘successful’ sale! There were even “State Snoops”, wandering around to make sure you charged Florida sales taxes on the sales! That be pretty low, methinks! How many times do they expect you to pay a ‘sales tax’ on the same item? No, I didn’t pay any! I ended up giving the mags to the historical society and library. No strings. I didn’t need a ‘tax break’.
It may sound odd, but I’ve found the best way for me, is to give them away:
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/161743/1781553.aspx#1781553
I figured out, that my interests are somewhat narrowly focused. If I sold them online, the sale would barely cover the cost and hassle of shipping
A friend of mine related to me a sermon she had heard in her church, that impressed her. The gist of it, was that we, as humans, tend to be collectors of things.
It starts small, we collect something that appeals to us, and whatever it is has a special place in our minds, and possibly our hearts. Eventually, it gets out of control, and we end up being collectors of things just for the sake of collecting. (At some point, I see shades of hoarding issues in my need to collect books.) Then, one day, your brain wakes up and asks “Why am I keeping all this stuff?”.
As the sermon goes, at that point, the best thing to do with your aquirred stuff, is to give it away to someone else, who can appreciate it. That’s what I’ve started to do. So far, I’ve given away 15-20 railroad books to forum members, and several boxes of Trains Magazines to Coburn35.
Some of the bigger retirement homes in our city have libraries which accept the right kinds of books. I gained lots of brownie points by giving my mechanic a box of racing magazines. Currently, I’m checking into an ad I saw for a
The best way to liquidate a collection is to give it to one of the railroad museums or historical societies with a substantial library, like IRM or the California State Railroad Museum.
IRM will keep a donation if it isn’t already in their library or if it’s in better condition that the copy in the library. Otherwise it’s sold at the Used Bookstore to raise funds for the museum.
I had an extensive collection of New York Central public and employee timetables, memorabilia, in-house magazines, hardware, and other “stuff”, including a BIG (4’ x 6’) 1908 state map, produced by the N. Y. State Public Service Commission, showing all the electric lines (trolleys/interurbans/commuter) in the state. I donated them to the New York State Library in Albany. They are, unfortunately, taking a long time to catalogue the stuff, but it has a good home. No, they didn’t get my purloined ashtrays and drinks glasses! Now, if I could find a home for my NYNH&H stuff, and maybe CNR and CPR goodies…
Hays
I knew of a man who donated his entire collection of books to the locomotive society he belonged to. He felt that it was important for younger railfans to have access to history. They did use the books as a source of revenue for the society. I was fortunate to have been able to buy several of his books. To me they are priceless. I’m a British Steam fan who lives in the United States. The books I purchased are virtually unavailable in the states and I stumbled upon them during my last trip over.Steam in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s in the English Midlands.
I really believe that this forum is the best way to reach out to railfans who would buy your books. It is all about sharing a hobby that you have loved.