For Love of a Bear….
Have you given any thought to the future of your bear collection? It seems that many collectors are from an older generation, and that younger people today are not given to collect things like teddy bears or teapots – that clutter is uncool, and collections of anything are just clutter. How many of you have large collections but no one in your family is as enthralled about them as you are? I often get questions from people who inherit bear collections from their mothers, aunts, or grandmothers, and have no idea what to do with the bears, and are not interested or do not have the room to keep them. Even those who keep the bears often do not know enough about what they have collected to know what may be of value or where they came from.
There are two very important concepts that “bear” repeating over and over to collectors. One; document your collection. Do a database or a scrapbook or a journal, online or in a simple book, but write down what you have, where and when you purchased, the purchase price, and if possible, a picture of the bear. If you get into the habit of updating this information each time you make a purchase, it will be a simple job. This is so important for a couple of reasons – for insurance purposes, but also for historical reference. If you have a written record of your bear collection, it will make life SO much easier for whoever must take it on after you. Although we don’t like to anticipate the worst, remember things like accidents, heart attacks, and strokes can change our lives, literally in a heart beat. If you were to go live with someone else, or in a nursing home, and needed to sell your collection, it would make a huge difference to the success of your sales if you already had this information written down for an auction house, relative, or friend.
The second suggestion is to make a decision now about what you want to do with your bear collection, and make sure that information is communicated to the executor of your estate, your spouse, your children, and even your friends. Let them honor you by disposing of your collection in a way that pleases you. For example, I have no children. My brothers I know would not be interested in my bears. I would love to create a list of friends that would be allowed to take any of the bears that pleases them – perhaps you would set a limit on the maximum number, or just let your friends take what they please with no limit. Extend the offer to family members, anyone you know that might truly enjoy having one or more of your bears. If there is a friend or relative who has specifically admired or coveted a specific bear in your collection, be sure to make a note of that, in your will or directives, and make sure that wish is fulfilled. Write a note to put with the bear, expressing your feelings about the friendship, and you will leave a memory of incalculable worth.
Any bears that remain will be donated to one or more charities of my choice. Good Bears of the World is one organization that I donate to regularly, and I expect they will be the main beneficiaries of my collection. Other choices might include children’s hospitals, nursing homes, shelters for abused or homeless women and children, Salvation Army or Goodwill. I intend to write down this information and have already verbally expressed my feelings to my family.
If you leave your bear collection to a friend or relative who may sell them, be sure to let them know you are okay with that. Don’t burden them with things they may not care about as much as you do. Help them by providing the documentation that will help them get fair prices. If you have someone in your life who has been a caregiver or big help, this may be a way to thank them; just don’t it a big pain in the behind for them! Receiving a large collection of teds might be a blessing, or a curse – it depends on you, the giver, to make it truly a gift of joy and love. Plan ahead, make decisions that are practical, and leave written information and directions – your bears will thank you for it!