What about sending them to auction?  Years ago a collection of Shaker
furniture and other objects was donated here (we're in SE PA and though we
do interpret a small religious group, it sure isn't Shaker) with the
stipulation that we could sell the collection, or keep it, whatever suited
the oprganization.  Well, the previous director was inclined to keep
it...but when we developed the scope of collections upon my arrival we
determined that it would serve the organization better to sell it, and
funnel the money back into conservation.  It all turned out just fine, and
was probably ultimately what the donor had in mind -- being a wise man who
understood that the Shakers had no relevance to our German Protestant group.
Candace Perry
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Jessica Trickett
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 9:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Items donated for resale


Hello all,

Recently, a patron of my organization offered to donate a collection of art
pottery with the intention that they be sold in our museum shop and that the
proceeds of their sale be used for collections conservation. We do sell in
our shop modern reproductions of similar items, but the collection we have
been offered contains original art pieces.

I, personally, am uncomfortable with this scenario, as I foresee confusion
among the general public about the origins of these objects (I don't want
people thinking that we plucked them out of collections storage to turn over
a quick profit).

Has anyone else had to address this kind of situation before? Are there
concrete ethical guidelines that shun this type of activity? I checked the
AAM code of ethics, which has references to the disposal of collections, but
this situation seems to fall outside the scope of their language (these
objects will not be accessioned into our collection, and I see this as more
of a monetary gift than a collections acquisition).

Any assistance or examples of similar situations would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Jessica D. Trickett
Manager of Collections and Curatorial Services
Mahoning Valley Historical Society
648 Wick Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44502
330/743-2589
[log in to unmask]
www.mahoninghistory.org


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