Hi, folks,

I had no idea the little roundtable I chaired would have such far reaching
impacts!  Sheesh...

Thanks to all who participated (Rich, Gary, Adam, Liz, Jose).  I think it
was a real eye opener for all of us!

I think it is important to keep open the various options for a collection:
retain in your family (my personal favorite), donation (including all the
various- shell club/society, school, non-profit, etc.), museum/university
donation (a category in and of itself), sale (auction, direct, dealer, other
collector, ebay, etc.).

... or if all of this seems too cumbersome, you could just give it to me.

Best to all,

jay
Jay Cordeiro
Research Zoologist, NatureServe
11 Avenue de Lafayette, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 542-1908

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
worldwide
Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 6:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Shell Collection Insurance

I also learned something quite important at the roundtable
discussion.  One of the museum participants stated that legally (IRS
rule) a museum cannot recommend an appraiser.  They can provide a
non-preferential list of appraisers, but the person or family
donating the collection must make the selection of the appraiser.

It was also mentioned that many or most museums want the appraisals
to be done off-site (away from the museum) unless the collection has
been formerly transferred to the museum.

Thirdly, IRS expects that the appraisal and donation be done in the
same year.  Often large collections are divided and donated in
portions; e.g. all of the shells in one family.  Having a long and
serious talk with a museum curator to which you would consider
donating your collection is just as important as bringing your family
up to speed.  A appraiser keeps records of each appraisal in case of
an audit, and the appraiser must make a visual inspection of the
collection for it to be validated by IRS.

It should be noted that all or most museums will not segregate and
store your collection.  It will be incorporated into the larger
collection, yet with database collection management it is easy to
find specimens that were donated by you to the museum.  Most museums
indicate on their data cards housed with the shells the name of the
donator of the specimen.

No matter what, the museum curator will give you a complete run-down
on what you can expect when donating your collection to their
museum.  Not all collections may be of interest to a particular
museum, but it is one avenue that you can pursue.

Ultimately the decision to donate or sell your collection will be
yours.  But most importantly, enjoy your collections here and
now.  The other less-palatable issues can be dealt in between field
collecting, cleaning, identification and cataloguing.

Rich

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