Posted By:
JayI agree with David; the album with the cards was given to you as a gift. Although the cards have significant monetary value to most of the world, they only had sentimental value to this woman and, she presumed, to you. Selling the cards would send all the wrong signals. If your intention was to sell them then I would reconsider and respecfully turn down her gift. If, on the other hand, these cards were to become a meaningful part of your collection then their market value is secondary. Since you will not be turning them into cash they are in a way worthless(although in another way very valuable). Having said that, if you were keeping the cards, I would do something nice for the woman. Perhaps her house needs painting--arrange for that to happen as a gift. Perhaps you could arrange for her lawn to be taken care of. Perhaps she is lonely and you and your family could visit once in a while and provide some companionship. Payback doesn't have to be dollar denominated.