What to do with collections you've no room for?

[TillyMilly]

Looking for advice as to where to dispose of unwanted collections (not ebay)

My SO moved in with me last year. He gave up his house to do it and of course it involved getting rid of most of his furnitiure (including favourite vintage peices- some had to be broken up to be removed) as we didn't need two sets of everything. He is a hoarder- over 1200 DVD's, more CDs, hundreds of books, Over 40 huge boxes of collectable action figures- plus he has collected vintage memorabilla- mostly from 1900's. He has all sorts - Victorian & edwardian clothing, old bottle collection, luggage, Victorian sewing machines, 1950's vaccuum cleaners, 1920's toaster- plus a huge Victorian bed that will take up most of one room (Keeping the bed)

I love Art Deco- 20's-50's and his earlier stuff doesn't fit both stylewise and space-wise. I really don't know what to do with it all. I don't want to be a b*tch about it all as i know how painful it was to get rid of his furniture- but there is just no room- the attic is full, the garage and the outbuildings and my brother's attic too.

Any ideas? Plus, I don't think some of the stuff can go to charity as it is for specialists/ enthusiasts really- they might throw it out. Some of the stuff is not in good condition- not sellable -but the thought of it as landfill isn't nice.

 

[C-dot]

Have you thought about renting a storage unit? They're reasonably priced, and would satisfy keeping your things and freeing up space in your home.

If there are some things that can go, but you don't want a charity to throw out, find a dealer to appraise the lot and maybe make you an offer. Even if it isn't in prime condition, if it can be restored, you'll be able to make a few bucks.

 

[Lusty Haze]

You could always give it to me!!! I'm starting up my own vintage clothing/collectables business and need cheap furniture!

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I have closets and a big storage room packed to the gills with things I don't have room to display.

 

[angeljenny]

If someone asked me to chose between them and my books it certainly wouldn't be my books that would be leaving.

I sound like such a monster!! :eeek:

 

[Louise Anne]

Try C-dot ideas first then look at mine.


" Some of the stuff is not in good condition- not sellable -but the thought of it as landfill isn't nice. "

Too true and land fill isn't a nice way to go apart from not been too green


They will have a value to someone who just starting out collecting and has not got the money to buy the same but in better condition.

So I would say go and explain this to a local reverent dealer and see if they know of some one who's just starting off a collection.

You will have the satisfaction of knowing they gone to a good home and appreciated .
The dealer will get some good will for doing nothing but a phone call or writing and address down for you .
Collector/s will get some interesting thing to study for free which he/she would not have other wise .

I am seeking from personal experience here with my day job (Commerial disclaimer I not in the vintage lifestyle or fashion related or any subject spoken about on this forum area ) about once a year some one will come along with the same problem and that's what I willdo, give then a name for a private deal or hold the items and distribute it myself free to people who I know would be interested in them.
Some collectors will even make a donation to a given charity that's up to them.
If I did find anything of value which they have overlooked it would be a 50/50 deal with them but that has not happened yet with any thing.


P. S you can always send me a PM

 

[Miss sofia]

Nice to see you again Paul! Love your new pic, very glam!

I do work in the antique trade, the only advice i would give is to agree with most of what people have said here. A storage unit would be a sensible idea, or you could put an ad in the local paper, it's amazing how many people may have a lock-up or garage for rent.

I do think getting someone in to appraise your stuff is a good idea as Paul said, although i would get a few people in, even the nicest, most charming dealers can be rather unscrupulous when it comes to the actual value of your items. A second opinion is always a good idea. Bear in mind they usually like to pay a third or thereabouts of what they will sell it on for. Also if stuff is broken or damaged it doesn't mean it can't be restored and isn't valuable.

A good idea is sending it to a local auction, you can get a better deal sometimes on selling items and get a reasonable appraisal from the auctioneer too hopefully. You can also make up boxes of smaller items or more 'junky' bits, rather than perhaps having the bother of a bootfair. (Nothing worse than coming back with loads of unsold stuff, whereas at an auction people will buy a box sometimes just for one item in it and pass the rest on).

Do give to the charity shop as others have said or freecycle it. At least the person comes and collects it. I also sometimes leave stuff outside my house with a note on to either pop the money through the door (they always have) or simply give the item a decent home. I got forty quid for a ratty old sofa and also got rid of two childrens bikes and countless garden toys that my neighbours snaffled because they were outside. Or you could have a lawn or garage sale.

Good luck!

 

[sheeplady]

Well, could you sit down, go through and make a list of your favorite and his favorites? Or else have a sit-down where each of you has to give up something of your own? (Conversely, set about a list of 20 things that each is allowed to keep?) Could you sell some of your stuff and some of his stuff to buy better (fewer) pieces that you both like? This way, it becomes your "couple stuff" and not yours and his stuff anymore?

Personally, I am not fond of making one half of a couple give up all of their things, particularly if it is their collection. I think that can only lead to trouble. It already sounds like he has given up a lot in this new living arrangement. You may have also gotten rid of a lot of stuff from your home, too, it's just not in your post.

I think a vital question is: Are your living arrangements ever going to change? (Get larger?) If so, then you can do temporary storage (like a storage unit). If you are planning on staying where you are for 10 or more years, then I would say that your storage situation is not temporary.

I don't think there is anything wrong with mixed eras. My home is entirely mixed eras. That is how the stuff stayed around- people kept the old and added the new. I have dark wood and light wood in the same room. I really don't like all matchy-matchy things anyways- I like my home to look like generations lived in it, not that somebody swooped in and redecorated one day in 1935, for example. (But, that is my preference and your taste may be different.) I think the key is to have your home filled with things that you both love- that is what unites all the objects from different eras.

 

[Lauren]

When my husband and I got married we had a similar issue- we're both "collectors" (aka packrats), so when we combined forces it was somewhat overwhelming! Selling things off slowly online is helping a bit, as is curbing the habit of buying because we found a "deal" or have plans of reselling. lol.
But that said, we have found room because we have to- including putting things in bins and sorting through thing in "to keep" and "to sell" bins. We've given some things away and sold some things. We store things in the garage, in attics, in closets.
We did have somewhat different aesthetics, but it's not really a big deal. I always leaned to the earlier periods, having come into vintage from the Victorian/Edwardian era, and my husband prefers more Deco and Streamlined looks, but they can co-exist without much thought or worry. I'm sure people back then had heirlooms and things from time past, too
In our place we have a designated room for my husband to design and do what he likes with as well, and it's fun to see what creativity he can come up with design wise.
You could also consider having a space at a flea market/boot sale weekend together to help clear out some things and let some of the smaller ticket items go together as lots- I know I love grab bags.
I echo Sheeplady, with making lists of favorites and letting go of the things you both aren't as keen on. Working on it together makes it better, so neither of you feels you're carrying the task of downsizing.

 

[Lily Powers]

Said in all kindness, but why does *he* have to get rid of his collections? Unless he's 100% on board with your disposing of the sum total of the years he's amassed his "treasures," making him get rid of it could cause some resentments down the line.

I agree with C-Dot's idea to rent a storage locker. Also, the DVDs and CDs can be downloaded on his computer and then donated - that would free up a lot of space. Nursing homes, hospitals, veterans' centers... all of them might enjoy DVDs and CDs.

 

[TillyMilly]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I will sit down and have a long a talk with him this week.

I didn't mention in my post that I am quite minimalist (my only collections are make-up, corsets and shoes which have minimal storage) and I had a massive purge before he moved in to make room for him.

The other problem is that he works for a charity and is always bringing home stuff he can't bear to see go to waste - sometime sit's lovely - like Deco glasses and vintage hats, True blood boxset!- but oftentimes its pure junk like Darth vader masks!

My Dad is a hoarder - if he buys something new to replace a broken thing- he will always keep the broken one in case'. My Mum has been struggling with it all her married life!

 

[C-dot]

The other problem is that he works for a charity and is always bringing home stuff he can't bear to see go to waste - sometime sit's lovely - like Deco glasses and vintage hats, True blood boxset!- but oftentimes its pure junk like Darth vader masks!

Corsets and Darth Vader? Oh dear lol

Having a long talk with him is a good idea. You've both got to make sacrifices for the good of your home, and since it belongs to both of you, there should be a compromise reached about what is allowed in and what isn't (space permitting.)

PS. My mum and dad seldom fight, but when they do, its the very same situation!

 

[TillyMilly]

The SO old house was one of those homes with boxes stacked all round floor to ceiling thier house- it's hard trying to make him understand that it's not usual. He's still got loads stacked in 'his' (the spare) room which he still refuses to unpack yet- tsch!

Who are the biggest hoaders?- it's usually men in my experience!

 

[Louise Anne]

My Dad is a hoarder - if he buys something new to replace a broken thing- he will always keep the broken one in case'. My Mum has been struggling with it all her married life!

Oh I know that too well, by the way both my sisters are minimalist one more than the other I wonder if there some sort of connection then?
Sorry for going off topic.

 

[Miss sofia]

The SO old house was one of those homes with boxes stacked all round floor to ceiling thier house- it's hard trying to make him understand that it's not usual. He's still got loads stacked in 'his' (the spare) room which he still refuses to unpack yet- tsch!

Who are the biggest hoaders?- it's usually men in my experience!

I have had to step in between my best friend and her hubbies volcanic rows over the same thing. She loves vintage baskets, he is always moaning about them, yet has a workshop and various rooms in the house filled with his junk, ahem sorry 'projects'!

I do agree that men tend to be the worst offenders based on my experiences.