It seems like the art of collecting may have become a memory of days gone by. It used to be that you couldn’t go into someone’s Withamsville place and not find Hummels, Books or a Pooh collection.
Withamsville baby-boomers really enjoyed collecting items. The tendency these days is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to downscale or sadly when a collector family member passes what do you do with their Art, Paper Weights or Pooh Bear collectibles?
You could try to sell the Pooh Collectibles online. Some of the problems you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, thinking up inviting listing descriptions, locating postage, packaging materials and weighing each item, answering question messages from potential buyers, handling returns on damaged items, etc.
Also, figuring out pricing can be challenging. Grandma may have paid $70 for an item but the online going rate is only $2.79. You need to ask yourself the question “is my time worth just a few dollars”? Online selling can take a significant amount of time.
You can give it to a place like a Withamsville thrift store. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Mother’s beloved items being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Withamsville kids place. However, many places only accept items that are new, in the original boxes and are 5 years old or newer. Plus, your Grandmother really took care of the plush and displayed them. Some people have a hard time with a plush collectible becoming a plush child toy.
Over the years I have been emailed by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will accept Pooh Bear Collection.
My answer is yes! I am always honored and humbled to – in my words – “to take care of their collection”.
If I am talking to the Withamsville collector and owner I let them know which numbers their items will be in the Guinness World Record Largest Pooh Collection. Their collection becomes part of history vs. being sold for a buck at a rummage sale. I let them know I will showcase their donated collection along with mine. I consider their items as THEIR collection in my database.
When someone donates Pooh Bear Items I think it makes people feel better which I am happy for. Letting go of “things” can be hard for a collector and owners and even sometimes for family members. As much as we don’t want to be labeled as “materialistic” – things we buy and collect can have sentimental attachments and it’s those feelings that we are attached to probably more than the items. People remember where they were when they received an item, who they were with or even where in their life cycle they were. They don’t want those memories to vanish with the items. You can put a price tag on a mug or poster but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Winnie the Pooh Collectibles to the Guinness World Record Pooh Collection the collection stays together and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the relative wants, they can even visit their collectibles when traveling from Withamsville to Wisconsin.
If you have collectibles of Pooh Bear items to donate, feel free to email me and we can coordinate adding your Grandma’s Pooh Collection to history and the Winnie the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633