A Strange One...

[jshell]

So, 'someone' I know is in possession of around 300+ historic documents, some going back to the mid-1500's, many very important and some being rarer than hens teeth found in carnivorous unicorn droppings. Value is considerable and these items should really reside and be cared for in a museum/library.

Not being able to afford to simply donate these, he's considering looking for funding to cover out of pocket expenses so that they can be donated. Retail market is readily available and a sizable profit could be turned, but he wants these to be removed from public ownership.

Any ideas for methods of fundraising?

[Simpo Two]

Love the idea of raising money so you can give something away.

[plfrench]

What expenses is he looking to cover? I'm very confused by this post!

How can you not afford to give something away unless he has to 'sell' them to cover upcoming bills or something and is reliant on inherent value?

All seems a bit odd to me.

[jshell]

Years spent collecting, wants to have them preserved, but can't afford to give them away with resultant loss of outlay. So, needs someone in a position to cover the original cost so that they can be preserved by an appropriate institution after donation by a suitably well-financed and altruistic individual!

[Simpo Two]

So he needs to sell them to a well-financed and altruistic individual, and then hope that said individual will give them away...

It seems unlikely to me. If he needs the money, sell and be damned I suggest.

[Cemesis]

A museum may be willing to buy them. If they are British documents, have a word with the British museum in London.

[Simpo Two]

Good idea. Or he could put them online and charge a fee to download - though that would require tecchy knowledge.

[KFC]

Sounds like you want to have your cake and eat it!

You could afford to give them away if you wanted... you just don't want to.

[jshell]

Just an update: An institution has shown strong interest and will be examining the collection next week, so fingers crossed! And, No, just donating is not an option given the overall value!

[Countdown]

jshell said:

So, 'someone' I know is in possession of around 300+ historic documents, some going back to the mid-1500's, many very important and some being rarer than hens teeth found in carnivorous unicorn droppings. Value is considerable and these items should really reside and be cared for in a museum/library.

Not being able to afford to simply donate these, he's considering looking for funding to cover out of pocket expenses so that they can be donated. Retail market is readily available and a sizable profit could be turned, but he wants these to be removed from public ownership.

Any ideas for methods of fundraising?

How about selling "some" of them to recover his outlay and donating the rest for free?

[jshell]

Countdown said:

jshell said:

So, 'someone' I know is in possession of around 300+ historic documents, some going back to the mid-1500's, many very important and some being rarer than hens teeth found in carnivorous unicorn droppings. Value is considerable and these items should really reside and be cared for in a museum/library.

Not being able to afford to simply donate these, he's considering looking for funding to cover out of pocket expenses so that they can be donated. Retail market is readily available and a sizable profit could be turned, but he wants these to be removed from public ownership.

Any ideas for methods of fundraising?

How about selling "some" of them to recover his outlay and donating the rest for free?

That's an option being discussed right now... Should know outcome in a week or two!

[deuchars]

Jshell, could you send me an email to the address below; tried sending you a pm however the system isn’t operating at the moment.

[e-mail]

[jshell]

deuchars said:

Jshell, could you send me an email to the address below; tried sending you a pm however the system isn’t operating at the moment.

[e-mail]

OK

[jshell]

jshell said:

Just an update: An institution has shown strong interest and will be examining the collection next week, so fingers crossed! And, No, just donating is not an option given the overall value!

Just to close this one out, it took a lot of work and negotiation but final providence and authenticity established and a sizeable payout completed the deal. They are now in public hands forever and available to researchers/academics/mildly interested.

On the other hand, the deal has likely raised the values of examples still in private hands. Off to check t'internet...

[rufusgti]

In that case well done. The best outcome for everyone it seems.

[kiethton]

Now that the deal has been completed and now publically owned...what were they?

[DonkeyApple]

Porn. Why else would JS be 'off to check the internet'.

[jshell]

They were original, very good condition 16th and 17th Century maps of Scotland, Great Britain,Scandinavia and Iceland. A good example is this map of Scotland from 1578.

[rufusgti]

In that case well done. The best outcome for everyone it seems.