Moral Quandary

[rhettyeakley]

Dan, through my website I have been contacted by many people who are direct decendants of players found on cards (usually Zeenuts) or other items. Generally the stuff in my personal collection is not for sale (I am pretty upfront about this right off the bat), however, I always make an attempt to find another example for them (when possible) and will also offer to take high quality scans which they are free to take to a photographer or printing place and make something that would be displayable for them.

In several instances I have kept an eye open for another example that I have sold them (at cost), it's one of the more rewarding things I have encountered through my website.
-Rhett

[slidekellyslide]

The item in question is a Louisville Slugger gamer of a minor leaguer who played for Lincoln pre WW2...I doubt another bat for this player is extant, and it is also the only prewar bat I know of that can be tied to a Lincoln player. I obtained it from a direct sale and not an auction.

[oriolesbb6]

This happens regularly during estate auction. In this case, I would be honest one way or the other-If your item is not for sale kindly state that fact and move one being comfortable in your decision. If you can part with state a fair price and again do not regret your sale.

[HRBAKER]

Absolutely, their only claim to the item is emotional. You are the owner and a good steward. If you don't think it can be replaced and don't want to get rid of it I see no moral quandry at all.

[barrysloate]

Dan- you have absolutely no obligation whatsoever to sell it. The family didn't stumble onto a "for sale" website, but instead your personal collection. I'm sure you've already explained to them the bat is not replaceable.

The only suggestion I have is maybe the next time an item comes up in an auction worth equal to or slightly more than your piece, you can contact the family and tell them if they can win that item for you, you would be willing to swap the bat for it. But that is entirely optional. Again, I see no moral quandary at all. The family may be disappointed, but such is life.

[batsballsbases]

Dan,
Its a very hard question to answer. I myself have had this happen twice. The first item is still in my collection and would be very hard to part with. The second was in my collection and I had decided to auction it off. I ended up buying it back and after having it for about 3 months I was contacted by someone on this board asking me what had happened to the item. I told him that I re acquired it and was just planning to hold on to it. He then told me a very touching story of why he wanted the item ,it touched me so deeply that I ended up selling it to him. I guess the best way to handle it is to go with what you are comfortable with. Bottom line its your item to do what you wish with .

[FUBAR]

In my opinion, you are not obligated to give/sell it to them.

However, if you dont have any real connection to it, you should consider a trade or a sale. I do not know what the monetary value would be, but my personal opinion on collecting, is it should be done from the heart and not from the pocketbook, even though the pocketbook is what dictates our purchases. Maybe you could turn it into something that would have more meaning to you. If you do sell it or trade it or whatever, get a caveat stating you get first option to buy for the exact same price they paid you.

From what i have been told, Don Drysdale was my uncle, i have no proof, nor any connection to him, except the same last name. If you had anything of his, i wouldnt feel like you owed it to me in any way shape or form.

[vintagesportscollector]

Dan - I agree with all who have said you have absolutely no moral obligation. You should feel comfortable with whatever you decide.

In the Spring of 2006 I was contacted by the granddaughter of Elden Aucker (Detroit submarine pitcher). I had a scrap book that I got off ebay for very little that chronicled in detail the 1934 and 1935 seasons, including both back-to-back World Series those years in which Aucker pitched. The scrapbook was full of content covering Aucker. His granddaughter explained she saw some images of the scrapbook on my site and was incquiring about it. After hearing what the book contained she went on to explain that her grandfather was very ill and would very much appreciate having that history to relive. Since I paid very little and had no attachment to the scrapbook (didn’t have any special interest to Detroit or Aucker) I gave it to her to give to her grandfather. It turned out Aucker died 3 months later. I wonder if he ever saw it…or if that was even his granddaughter.

Now Dan, don’t feel like that story should persuade anything, because if the item had significant value that couldn’t be compensated for, and/or I felt a strong attachment to it and felt it couldn’t be replaced – I wouldn’t part with it for anyone, I don’t care who their grandfather was and if he was dying or not.