It seems like the art of collecting may have become a memory of the past. It used to be that you couldn’t visit someone’s Grantsburg home and not find Art, Books or a Winnie the Pooh collection.
Grantsburg baby-boomers really enjoyed collecting items. The trend today is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to downsize or sadly when a collector family member passes where do you go with their Stamps and Coins, Cookie Jars or Winnie the Pooh collection?
You could try to sell the Winnie the Pooh Items online. Some of the hurdles you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, figuring out appealing listing descriptions, locating postage, packaging materials and weighing each item, answering question messages from potential buyers, dealing with returns on damaged items, etc.
Also, figuring out pricing can be challenging. Mom may have paid $60 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 plenty of time.
You can give it to a place like a Grantsburg Goodwill. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Mom’s treasured collection being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Grantsburg children’s place. However, many places only want items that are new, in the original boxes and are 5 years old or newer. Plus, your Mother really took care of the plush and displayed them. Some people have a hard time with a plush collectible becoming a plush child toy.
Many times I have been approached by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will take Winnie the Pooh Collectibles.
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 Grantsburg 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 donation of collectibles along with mine. I consider their collection as THEIR collection in my database.
When someone donates Pooh 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 collection. You can put a price tag on a mug or figurine but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Pooh Bear Collectibles to the Guinness World Record Pooh Collection the collection stays entact and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the relative wants, they can even visit their collectibles when traveling from Grantsburg to Wisconsin.
If you have collectibles of Pooh items to donate, feel free to contact me and we can coordinate adding your Great Aunt’s Pooh Bear Collection to history and the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633