Selling Things Of Sentimental Value To Raise Money?

[Mitchell]

This is a topic that I dont think has ever been discussed before on here, or if it has, I've never seen it. My question is: What do forum members think of selling things of sentimental value to raise money? Should one actually have to be desperate for the money to do it, or.. is it okay if circumstance dictates it?

I'm already gulity of doing this once this summer. As I may have posted before, my mom had a breakfront that she loved, and wanted me to keep, but.. space in my apartment that is less than half the size of the place I had in Lancaster, dictated that I couldnt keep it.

This next one is much more tricky. My maternal grandparents had a painting by an artist that used to be a client of my dad's, who has since passed away. When my grandmother died, my mom took it back, and it hung in our dining room in PA until I moved here. My mom asked me not to sell it unless I was desperate, because of the sentimental value of it being my grandmother's.

Now, hopefully, my dad is in touch with a foundation that wants to purchase several other paintings by the same artist that we have. One of them is my grandmother's painting. While I know that I could technically sell all the other paintings, and keep the one that was my grandmother''s, the price we are talking is.. thousands for each painting. My dad feels that my mom and grandmother, aside from his feelings about them,. would understand if I sold the painting that was my grandmother's. I'm fighting with myself, because my mom asked me not to sell it., My mom and my maternal aunts are all guilty of selling jewelry that was my grandmother's when they were desperate for money, and my aunt, a starving artist, sold a painting she won an award on, that other artists had asked her not to sell, when she needed money.

The sale with the foundation is also a once opportunity. If I dont sell it as a package now, I dont get a second chance.

I'm not as conflicted about my plans to sell my mom's Rolex, and my grandfather's old cameras. Those things I really cant use, unless I keep one of his cameras for sentimental reason.

I would appreciate advice on what to do about my grandmother's painting? Something worth.. thousands.. that has been in the famiy for almost forty years. Sell it, even though not desperate. or.. keep it.. and keep something that might be sentimental, while giving up the chance to have money that could be used for other important things?

Thanks.

Mitch

 

[Myriads]

Stuff is stuff. Your passed relatives (in my opinion) have no cares or knowledge as to what you do with the stuff.

Do you like the painting? I mean in an honest, I want this thing on my wall so I see it every day sort of like.

If you do, then keep the thing, as it brings you happiness.

If not then sell it, so other people who might like it can enjoy it, and get some cash to do thing you enjoy with.

The answer comes down to what you feel.

Myriads

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, Myriads. I see your point.

My aunt the artist doesnt think I should sell the three paintings by this guy that I have in my posession, both for the sentimental value of the painting that was my grandmother's, as well as two others by the same artist. Her feeling is that such paintings are something of value for the future.

In answer to your question of if I like the painting. The one I mentioned that was my grandmother's. No. I dont like it. It is simply flowers in a pot. There is one I do like, of a famous resturant called PJ Clarkes in Manhattan.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Mitch

 

[Myriads]

There is a case to be made for holding them as 'investments'. If you don't need the cash now, and storage is not an issue, then that is a decent option, given that these might appreciate decently in the years ahead.

Otherwise, sell the flower pot, keep the PJ Clarkes.

Art should be enjoyed. If not by you then by others who will, rather then hide in closets.

Myriads

 

[Mitchell]

I see your point, Myriads.

I'm going to give this some more thought before making a decision. Thanks again.

Mitch

 

[ticklishdanny]

Well, when my dad first came to the United States he was working in these rich areas in Beverly Hills as a blue collar worker and one day he sat down to eat lunch in this spot where people would sit down and chat or just watch people pass by. He looked down and found a Tag Heuer watch that I would later find out is worth quite a bit. The watch means a whole lot to me because it was something really precious that he found while working in the hot 100+ degree SoCal weather. I kinda get what you're saying, man I would hate to part with it and don't see myself selling it unless there's no other options and I'm desperate. Material things can have a lot more value than money. Heck I wouldn't trade that watch for the nicest Rolex ever made.

If the paintings mean something to you, keep them.

 

[maniactickler]

If there was something my mother cherished and told me to never sell it, id honor it. as long as its within reason.

 

[Mitchell]

danny, I understand why you never sold that watch, since it meant so much to your dad, and how he found it.

maniac, I see your point, but I also see Myriads point, and my own conflict with this situation.

I'm supposed to see my father tomorrow. I'm going to have a discussion with him about this face to face, and then make a decision,.

Mitch