Excerpt from the "Will" of an Obsessive Collector

[Peter]

What follows is an excerpt from my Will dealing with my music collection. What I'm trying to avoid is my wife or kids dumping the collection cheap after my death. What I'm trying to accomplish is maximum listening exposure in the hopes that somebody out there will enjoy this music as much as I have. Anyway, here it is:

II. TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY

A. To my wife, SARAH, I bequest whatever compact discs, records or other recordings that she may select from my collection of recordings.

B. To my sons JACK and LEWIS I bequest fifty (50) recordings each as they may select from remainder of my collection of recordings after the bequest to SARAH above.

C. To the WHITEFISH BAY PUBLIC LIBRARY, I bequest whatever compact discs, records or other recordings that it may select from the remainder of my collection of recordings after the bequests contained in Articles II.A and II.B above. This bequest is contingent on WHITEFISH BAY PUBLIC LIBRARY agreeing to:

1. Promptly place all said recordings it selects in its circulating collection after it receives its distribution;

2. Keep all said recordings in its circulating collection for no less than two (2) full years; and

3. Promptly donate any recordings it removes from it's collection after the two (2) year minimum specified above to radio Station WMSE of the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

D. To radio Station WMSE of the Milwaukee School of Engineering, I bequest whatever compact discs, records or other recordings that remain of my collection of recordings after the bequests contained in Articles II.A, II.B and II.C above.

Edited February 5, 2004 by Peter

[Dan Gould]

Is your wife likely to select a lot of your collection for her own personal listening pleasure, or for that matter as a tangible reminder of you and your passion for jazz?

Why are you limiting your children to 50 recordings?

If you are seriously concerned about dumping your collection, well, what is to keep your wife or kids from grabbing the music and selling it?

It sounds to me like you ought to stick with the library/radio station where at least it won't be "sold cheap".

[Adam]

Well, I wouldn't normally do this, but since it's an official document:

In II.3., "it's" should be "its" - no apostrophe on the possessive "its."

I have different reasons from Dan, but I would let your kids have however many they want after your wife gets them, not limited to 50, then donate the rest.

[Tjazz]

Depending on how much $$ your wife wants, she might just take all of them.

She may let the kids take what they want and then keep all the remaining for herself to sell later.

Course, your kids may look at the value of the collection too and just want to select the items that they can sell.

Who's the trustee?? Your wife??

If you have someone else be the trustee, your wife might be pissed and take all of your collection to sell later too.

Just talk with your wife or get enough insurance that it doesn't matter.

If your collection is sold cheap, it will eventually become a bargain for another music lover.

Keep those 'used' record stores in business too.

Edited February 6, 2004 by Tjazz

[Tjazz]

Peter,

If you're getting old, start selling your collection.

Or donating it.

Edited February 6, 2004 by Tjazz

[Tjazz]

It sounds to me like you ought to stick with the library/radio station where at least it won't be "sold cheap".

Alot of rare items get stolen from libraries.

Many times the libraries will have sales of items they delete from their catalog. Items are usually sold cheap.

Depending on the radio station. The DJs may raid them for personal use or the format of the station may change.

You can't control much from your grave. B)

Edited February 6, 2004 by Tjazz

[Alec]

I have to agree with the other about their cavats.

Therefore, you need to leave them to ...

...me

Pm me and I'll send you my address so you can forward the legal papers for me to sign.

[Ed S]

When I go, I'm leaving them to my wife and chilldren to keep or dispose. I will leave recommendations as to how to go about it. For example, if they want to sell my Mosaics and ebay is still around, I'd give them an idea how much a set is worth and advise them to sell off a couple at a time. I'll also give then an idea of which of my collection are essentials or my favorites if they want to keep a few to learn about jazz or just to remember dear old dad.

The way I look at it is this - If my kids don't care for jazz, I'll be happy to pass them on to someone who does. Selling them is as good a way as any to do this and my survivors will benefit somewhat from the sale.

[Peter]

Unfortunately Tjazz is spot on. Oh well.

[Guest ariceffron]

you guys are really loosing it.

[Muskrat Ramble]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants to make sure others will enjoy the music when we're gone. You all might also want to consider donating other items, like books, to public or university libraries, charities, etc. Of course, if you have any questions, make sure to ask your attorney first, so that your will doesn't cause more problems than it solves.

[chris olivarez]

I've instructed a friend of mine to take all my music with the stipulation that any of our friends have reasonable access to the collection for recording purposes etc.

[Tjazz]

If you're really rich, you can set up a foundation which holds your collection.

Have people come look at it or borrow it from your charitable estate.

Your estate can even continue to buy Mosaics sets to add to YOUR collection.

Edited February 17, 2004 by Tjazz

[Man with the Golden Arm]

I was thinking of having a nice big stack at the wake. sort of a little party favor. maybe a little sign that sez "gee I was a rabid spender on all this so take one on the condition that you never resell it. if it brings you some joy then so be it. i'll be watching."

[undergroundagent]

Your estate can even continue to buy Mosaics sets to add to YOUR collection.

This is an excellent idea!!!

Now, others can find out how difficult it really is to buy "just one more" jazz cd. In my death, I will give rise to a cult following of music-buying addicts throughout the world.

[clifford_thornton]

Talk to Brandon Burke about donating some of your collection (especially things they don't already have) to the KU Jazz Library. I've already willed my stuff to them (and I'm only 27!)... That way, it won't be picked over (it's appointment only) and will be guaranteed proper care by jazz fans, musicologists, and students.