Advice Needed - Inherited a Lifetime Collection

[drJones]

Hello all,

Im a decent fan of jazz, not to the extent that many of you are but I do listen from time to time. I thought this may be the place to obtain some advice.

I have inherited a massive lifetime collection of jazz vinyl and cds that are in immaculate shape (both the boxes and vinyl). It ranges from pre wwII to modern. There are 1000+ albums as well as corresponding cds for most all albums. I have a strong suspicion after an afternoon of research that much of the material is rare or at least hard to find. All sets are complete (ex Time Life: Giants of Jazz)

My plan is this: sell or possibly donate the vinyl, and keep the cds for myself.

My question is this: What would be the best way to go about this? Should I attempt to keep the collection together or sell on ebay? I look on ebay and see that most of the time vinyl does not sell, so I feel as though that may be a long and drawn out process.

What would you do with this collection?

[tranemonk]

Create a database of the CDs, back them up digitally and then decide...

it depends if you are going to listen to them... I would keep all/most of them as my tastes over time has changed...

Ten years ago there was NO way I would listen to (much less buy) Bing Crosby, Henry Threadgill , etc...

It also depends on your age... If you think you will grow with the collection.. Keep it...

If you were going to donate it.. I'd recommend a public library... that way other people can have access to it. When I donate my CD's that's where they go...

[Chuck Nessa]

If you don't want to invest the time (tons of it) to sell it piece by piece, I would seek a reputable dealer to dispose of collection for a percentage. In any case you will need to make a list of the items.

If you were going to donate it.. I'd recommend a public library... that way other people can have access to it. When I donate my CD's that's where they go...

Most public libraries now offer lp donations in their "garage sales".

[drJones]

My idea for donation was a music program of a university such as university of texas, houston, txstate, etc.

[Chuck Nessa]

Be sure to ask what they will do with the collection.

[DukeCity]

My idea for donation was a music program of a university such as university of texas, houston, txstate, etc.

Chances are that a university library doesn't want vinyl. Most of the vinyl at the university where I work is in "deep storage" off-site, and they don't want any more.

[Dave James]

The first thing you need to do is figure out what you have. If your vinyl is all Time-Life "Giants of Jazz" or its equivalent, that's one thing. If you've got mint condition '50's and '60's Blue Notes, that something else altogether. Some of those are worth a lot of money. I'd use eBay to get your arms around the value of your collection and go from there. If you do wind up working with a dealer, it will help if you've done your homework.

[BeBop]

If you're looking to be charitable with your LP windfall, I agree that the library probably isn't the best approach with a substantial collection of potentially valuable items. Instead, sell to a reputable, jazz-knowledgeable vinyl dealer and donate the sales price.

[drJones]

If you're looking to be charitable with your LP windfall, I agree that the library probably isn't the best approach with a substantial collection of potentially valuable items. Instead, sell to a reputable, jazz-knowledgeable vinyl dealer and donate the sales price.

Good idea. I have been researching, and after just looking at the benny goodman alone, I believe there is a decent amount that could be made via individual sales. There is a great deal of originals, wax, limiteds, etc in the 4 of 20 boxes i have opened.

My next decision is do I want to ebay the items or create a database and website to sell them all thereby reducing the expense of the endevor? There are advantages and disadvantages to both routes.

[clifford_thornton]

You could work with a dealer on consignment and get more money that way. There are good record stores in Houston as well as in Austin if you choose to go that route, and an honest one will certainly be of more help to you and get you more for your items than you might be able to alone.

[drJones]

You could work with a dealer on consignment and get more money that way. There are good record stores in Houston as well as in Austin if you choose to go that route, and an honest one will certainly be of more help to you and get you more for your items than you might be able to alone.

I dont suppose anyone could recommend one in the Houston/Dallas/Austin area?

[clifford_thornton]

PM sent.

[Dave James]

Once you have a better handle on this, I'm sure a lot of us would be interested in what's in the collection.

[David Ayers]

Be sure to ask what they will do with the collection.

He's very right about that. People who donate books similarly do not realise how their donations will be utilised.

[mjzee]

If you eBay the items individually, it will be a huge workload. Be prepared to offer them piecemeal over a longer period. And bone up on eBay payment scams.