Mystery

Anyone have any idea whether libraries (etc.) still want additional LPs? And to Hot Ptah - glad you picked up on the Sun Ra reference. I was pretty sure someone would. Thanks to all who've responded. Good things to think about.

Quick addition on motivation: It pains me to think that, if I don't put my recordings into the hands of people who want them, they're never going to find their way into such hands after I'm gone.

I’m posting this under a new user name. I’m a ‘regular’ here, but interested in disassociating myself from myself…if you know what I mean. I’ve thought about posting this on some day OTHER than the one where Allen Lowe started the “Depressing…” thread, but it’s time for me to do it. Besides, it isn’t really depressing; consider this ‘surplus stuff’/’non-financial motivation’. In summary, I’ve grown old enough, and my collection large enough that I no longer have any reason to keep it all. I’ve never sold or given anything away before (aside from a few items to friends), so I find myself in need of some guidance on a few, fundamental questions. Feel free to post here, or send me a PM. Background: • I have no potential heirs or friends who would be interested in my recorded music after I depart. For those I leave behind, the music would be mostly burden. They have no idea of how to dispose of it and might feel bad taking it all to the refuse site, knowing how much of my life was spent gathering it. • My collection is a mix of CDs and LPs, with about 10% “other” – 78s, 45s, etc. The non-jazz portion is not as troubling to deal with. The jazz stuff is about half out-of-print/hard-to-find, and half common or of such a condition as to be limited desirability among collectors. (No jewel boxes for the LPs.) • I like money, but don’t desperately need it. I’d be up for giving away part of my collection to a worthy party: one who would foster the growth of the jazz community. • I’m not ready to part with everything; I ain’t dead yet, so I’m figuring on disposing of, say, 7500 items out of about 11000. Where I could use guidance: Psychological: How do I get over a lifelong practice of keeping it all? How do I learn to say goodbye to even those limited-interest items? I wouldn’t consider myself a pack rat; music’s all I keep. But this is a new thing for me. Actual Disposal: Bulk sale? Item-by-item? Something in-between? eBay auction(s)? Amazon/Half set-price sale? Local record store, provided I can find one? As noted above, I’m not averse to making a buck, but I don’t want to spend heaps of time managing sales and dealing with disgruntled buyers – buyers with unrealistic expectations. Donations: From what I’ve heard conjecturally, if I’m interested in supporting a non-profit or educational facility, I’d be better off selling, then donating the money. Sounds like a lot of work. Any thoughts GENUINELY appreciated.