Personal items acquired as part of a purchase

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by jimtigers65

she said it was depressing because all these items belong to someone’s parents.

I often think about that at estate sales and antique shows, especially when I see WWII materials from someone's service, but I don't get depressed. Even though the relations a generation or two down the line just do not care, there are strangers who care about these artifacts. That snapshot from Great Uncle Leo's time at WWII airborne training means nothing to the family but someone will purchase it and enjoy it and research the subject and honor the person that way, and that's what I find redeeming about the process. It's much the same with cards: little Johnny is long gone but his T206 collection lives on.