[gonzo]

In addition to your will, you might want to type up a couple of pages describing the highlights of the collection to make sure they at least know which items are the most valuable without relying on the word of other folks who may have different priorities and/or may be tempted to exploit a lack of expertise.

Non-collectors might recognize a few famous names, but they’re not going to know why that “Doyle N.Y. NAT’L” or “Lowdermilk” or “Hoblitzell” or brown Old Mill back warrants special attention when it looks to them just like dozens of other cards in your collection.


Also consider how an auction house typically sells things versus what the most profitable way to sell those things might be. If you know that Auction House X typically sells cards like yours in large lots that go for noticeably less than they would sell individually, while Auction House Y would sell them individually, that might help determine the way to go.