Jason,
For my part...I do not believe that our encouragement or discouragement is
going to significantly effect the general selling/buying activity. I feel
discouraging sellers who do not want to donate only alienates them. They
are going to sell the stuff anyway, and they will be less likely to
consider you or other museums in the future. Private collecting by museum
employees is another matter, but I did not think that was your question.
I think our place in such situations is first and foremost to encourage
donation to a good institution. If they are not interested in going that
route, then we can help them find another venue. Valuating or
authenticating their works is still considered unethical behavior. We can
however help them find reputable auction houses, and suggest other
collectors/dealers who might be interested. I am just now wondering how the
profession might view steering a seller toward a private collector who we
know will eventually give their collections to our museums. Unethical or
savvy? Probably a fine line.
I always figure that the more information I can ethically give the public
and the better the venue for their materials, the better care the objects
will be given in the long run. I want a painting(or whatever) to sell for
the most possible, rather than going for nothing on e-bay. The buyer will
then value it more, and hopefully care for it better. I am not sure of the
validity of this logic, but I figure the longer it lasts the more likely it
will eventually end up in a museum. Helping the public in this way also
helps put a positive face on the museum and its outlook on such things.
That may eventually result in more donations.
To a certain degree, we are in competition with the private market, but I
do not think in a negative way. We should always be aware of what is going
on in the market, since it can have direct bearing on what we are given/not
given as well as how our collections are perceived. Museums in turn have an
effect on the private market by collecting and showing certain objects
considered to be particularly special or quality. I guess that could be
looked at as more of a symbiotic relationship.
I hope that is helpful.
Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850
Jason Aikens
<jason.aikens@PRO
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I have a philosophical question on whether museums should encourage or
discourage private collecting. As the Collections Curator at the Pro
Football Hall of Fame it is my responsibility to field questions from the
public regarding the value of their memorabilia on how they can sell their
memorabilia. Often people mistakenly believe that we purchase memorabilia
which we do not. Everything we collect is through donations.
Our institution wrestles with the dilemma, as a public service should we
help people determine the value of their memorabilia? Should we help them
sell their memorabilia by pointing out reputable dealers and auction
houses? Or is the memorabilia market and private collecting a source of
competition to our own acquisition efforts through donations? Or does the
memorabilia market and private collecting generate interest in football
memorabilia in general and encourages collectors and the public to attend
our museum to see highly valuable memorabilia?
I’m sure many professionals can relate to this dilemma, since nearly all
museums collect objects or works of art that not only have historical
significance but also have monetary value in the open market. Please let
me know what your opinions are on this issue. If this issue, as to
whether museums should discourage or encourage private collecting, has
been discussed in museum publications please let me know.
Thanks
Jason Aikens
Collections Curator
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