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Topic: Destined For A Skip

Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted April 26, 2017 03:05 AM

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I was recently put in touch with the children of a deceased father who had been an avid film collector of all three gauges. The family home was being cleared ready to be placed on the market, so most of its content had to go.

A price was agreed for approximately 500 films in Super 8 sound, 9.5mm silent and 16mm sound. I felt that my very low offer might be considered insulting but it was readily accepted.

As they helped load up my car they said "We are so glad Dad's films are going to a loving home, otherwise we would have had to order a skip to dispose of them".

A few days ago I was recounting this story to a film collector friend who replied "I am not surprised to hear that, my daughter says that when I pass on all my film collection will be put in a skip".

Does this mean that many priceless films, many on 9.5mm, will disappear for ever? Have any fellow members received such a statement from their children?

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Maurice

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 26, 2017 03:42 AM

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I receive the same statement from my wife (let alone our kids), almost daily Maurice! [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Wink]

I'm not joking, she cannot wait.

Maybe I shouldn't spend so Long on the artwork and soundtracks.
I don't suppose the skip will be too bothered about presentation. [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Wink]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

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From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted April 26, 2017 04:08 AM

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That's a poor show Andrew, if I was younger than you, I would ask to be remembered in your will. [Smile]

[Smile]

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Maurice

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 26, 2017 04:15 AM

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The thing is Maurice, I know of only one collector where his good lady enjoyed the hobby to anything like the same extent that he did.
It is only in these circumstances I reckon, that the poor ladies living daily with all of our film paraphernalia would even begin to understand the importance of it all from our own perspective.
They just see it as a complete waste of our time and stops us all from constantly doing other work that they'd much rather we were all getting along with.
Her friends all tell her that I have a wonderful innocent pastime for when I am away from work and she is involved in her own, she simply replies, "yeah, but you don't have to live with it all!"
And of course, as ever, she is correct.

It may very well be a poor show come the time Maurice, but in the meantime, I am doing my level best to make sure I have the greatest show on earth! [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

:

[Wink]

Having watched repeatedly Stuart's fantastic video in 1080p last night on the big screen after downloading it, it only whets the appetite even more for whatever is still out there!
What a fantastic hobby this truly is! [Smile]

[Smile]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Mark Mander
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1236
From: Dunstable ,Bedfordshire.
Registered: Jan 2005

posted April 26, 2017 04:37 AM

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To be fair I've heard so many stories like this, one of the problems is film collectors will lie to the other half about what they are spending and play the costs down, as they didn't cost a lot or were free (allegedly! !)then they aren't worth a lot hence the skip!! When I'm gone I don't really care what will happen to my collection as i won't be there, my son knows the value of it all so good luck to him and my daughter if they sell it all, Mark

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 26, 2017 04:51 AM

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In my own particular case Mark, my wife is only too familiar with some of the ridiculous sums of money exchanged for our goods. Perhaps this is part of the reason as to why she feels it is all a complete waste of time and money,who knows?

The bottom line is, she will never get any pleasure from any of it, nor would the kids sadly, so why would she want to burden herself or themselves with the hassles of sifting through any of this "junk" as they see it?

My wife isn't a money person either, so that would never be a motivation for her. Her whole philosophy in life is "If it hasn't got a heartbeat, it doesn't really matter".
Not a bad outlook in life, I'd say. [Smile]

[Smile]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Mark Mander
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1236
From: Dunstable ,Bedfordshire.
Registered: Jan 2005

posted April 26, 2017 05:29 AM

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In my own particular case Mark, my wife is only too familiar with some of the ridiculous sums of money exchanged for our goods. Perhaps this is part of the reason as to why she feels it is all a complete waste of time and money,who knows?

Andrew, that's where you went wrong! !! [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 26, 2017 05:36 AM

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She's the understanding kind, luckily Mark. [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Wink]

Many a collector's dream lady, would be somebody like Janice here, no doubt.
Then the arguments over what film should be watched each night would begin! [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Wink]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Mike Newell
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 826
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 26, 2017 06:20 AM

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Its ironic I heard a couple of weeks ago of the parting of a fellow collector who had been ill for some time and I know his wife would have dumped his collection and projectors either in a skip or dump as she announced it any opportunity she had.

Shame in a way as Bob had virtually every Clint Eastwood film that ever made it to super 8 and 16mm amongst his collection.

When I was collecting big and gave specific instructions of which dealers to approach to sell my films and equipment to if
I departed early.

Over the years certain dealers and a few collectors have preyed on "film widows" offering them what amounted to nothing for a lifetime hobby.

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted April 26, 2017 07:16 AM

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I have given my eldest son some indication as to what value some
of my film collection may be worth. I have also given him a few
pointers who to try and sell it to in the event of my demise.

The only problem for him is that he has to do the same with my
Film Memorabilia , Vinyl LPs , Reel to Reel tapes , 78rpms , Books , Comics , Magazines , Hi-Fi equipment , Film Projectors ,
Laserdiscs , DVDs , Blu-Rays , Model Railway Locos , and various Catalogues and Model Kits.

This is not fair to burden him and the family with these so I
think I will sell some stuff before I finally kick my boots off
and fade out in the final reel.

[Wink]

[Wink]

[Wink]

[Wink]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 26, 2017 07:54 AM

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Sensible solution David.
Mike, always sad to hear that yet another devout collector has very sadly passed away. I do hope the films have gone into circulation for others to enjoy them all.
To this end, those dealers and collectors who do step in at a times like these are a God send I would say, so long as the widow is happy by what she receives.

I personally, would never be happy on taking a gamble without first looking through each and every one of them. We see all too frequently, far too many trashed prints for my liking without me adding any to my own collection.

I like to hand pick my collection these days, on each and every occasion. Otherwise it would be costing me money to store someone else's junk.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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David Guest
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From: Lancashire, UK
Registered: Oct 2011

posted April 26, 2017 07:59 AM

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my 2 sons are the same sell them all dad they tell me and go on a world cruise .as that's what we will do when we have them ,oldest son says why do you need over 2000 plus features and over 3000 shorts .other son pointed out at a film and said when did you last watch that one I said about 12 years ago he picked smallest show on earth .one thing I have done is priced them all up as they said we don't know if ones a tenner and ones a couple of hundred .

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 26, 2017 08:01 AM

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Nobody knows these days David, not even ourselves. E Bay shows us all this each and every day.

I never understand why prints sell for what they do on the open market when dealers are still offering them all for more than reasonable prices most of the time, just as Ian did only last night.
Truly baffling to me. [Confused]

[Confused]

[Confused]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Clinton Hunt
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 845
From: Waharoa,North Island,New Zealand
Registered: May 2010

posted April 26, 2017 08:04 AM

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When I fall off the planet I've put it in my will that I wish to have my collection sold to film collectors at cheap prices.And I've told my best mate that too.Hope he does it,but I won't be around to see eh!

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Cheers from me in New Zealand :-)

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 26, 2017 08:04 AM

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You're a star Clinton! Good on you!! [Wink]

[Wink]

All I'd suggest Clinton, is make sure they will go to someone who will treasure and preserve them all in the manner that hopefully you do, not someone who just wants to make a quick buck out of your lifetime interest.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

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From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 26, 2017 08:47 AM

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I try to get my family involved with my film collecting: in other words it's not exclusively my thing, so it should have some sentimental value for them too.

I've had them to CineSea a number of times. It means my film friends are their film friends, and I guess if it came to it they'd know who to talk to rather than just order a dumpster. (In current times, it's also made it easier for my wife to buy film-based presents for me!)

We (and I mean "We") have at least one movie night a winter for our (and I mean "our") friends. I do the films, my wife does the food, my kid cleans up his mess (-guess who has the biggest job of all!).

I recently added in video projection (my wife bought it for me, actually). Some would say this means I watch less film now: not true. It actually means my family watches MORE film, because when we do the on-disk feature, there are always some film based shorts too. Last week we watched the Blackhawk "A Trip to the Moon" along with the Hugo BluRay.

I read "A Thousand Cuts" a few months ago. There are a number of chapters about film collectors that took it a couple of steps too far. After I finished the book I resolved to never be one of them. ("His bathtub is full of film cans, and his wife left years ago...")

-I think that may help my PR at the house too!

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Tom Spielman
Master Film Handler

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From: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016

posted April 26, 2017 09:10 AM

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My wife was an only child and she had to deal with the house and all that was stored within once her mother died. We made a lot of trips to the dump. Their house was full of things purchased but never used.

If it hadn't been such an emotionally difficult period, and my wife had had more time before she needed to sell, she might have found homes for more of the stuff.

My recommendation is that you should have a plan for what you would like to have happen to your collections once you're gone. Make it an easy one for your family to carry out. They're probably not going to want to list the films individually on Ebay. Better to donate them or sell them cheap to some lucky collector than to have them thrown out.

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 26, 2017 10:53 AM

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I think David's idea earlier (Hardy), is the best option if at all possible.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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David Skillern
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From: South Wales
Registered: Apr 2006

posted April 26, 2017 11:26 AM

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I started to catalogue my films late last year but got side tracked - so when I break up for the Summer in July - i will spend a week colating both my super 8 prints and 16mm prints and put condition on last viewing with a possible starting price for ebay sales - as I heard a real horror story last year of one reputable dealer who walked away from a widows house with a large collection of prints and told her he was doing her a favour as they weren't worth much and he sold them on for a premium - im not selling my collection to a dealer and my family will have a good idea of what to ask for each print - if anything was to happen to me.

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Osi Osgood
Film God

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From: Mountian Home, ID.
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posted April 26, 2017 11:33 AM

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Sad to say, that probably happens more often than not, but "smart money" is on the people who at least put up they're deceased family members collection on ebay, ect.

I have made it clearly known to my family, (and I think that this is a good idea for anyone who has a film collection), that the collection i have is worth well over 10,000 dollars, (large collection, but a lot of big titles in there), and that is a low estimate, so that, when or if I should pass on, if I have the time, (better sooner than later), I'll make a list of the actual value of my film collection ....

... so that she will be ready for the film collecting persons who will come out of the woodwork and try to get my wife to part with them for a measely thousand. no way! (Hey, I have heard enuf horror stories of collectors that literally do a "death watch" when they hear of a fellow collector going down hill. Disgusting.)

I consider my collection to not only be a wonderful hobby but in truth, a very good investment for the future. [Smile]

[Smile]

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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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David Guest
Phenomenal Film Handler

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From: Lancashire, UK
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posted April 26, 2017 12:59 PM

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yes osi youre right look at the prices deranns films are fetching I estimate my collection of films is close on £100 thousand .I have films packed away that people on here would kill for musicals horror ,drama comedys etc .since I joined the forums I love it when I see forum members asking have anybody you got this or that, and I say to myself I have that .I love some of my titles and proud to own like titfield thunderbolt witness for the prosecution green for danger formbys and bond and carry ons not forgetiing thunderbirds munster addam family super car fireball xl5 and 700 top notch trailers as some of will have seen at blackpool

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David Ollerearnshaw
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From: Penistone Sheffield UK
Registered: Oct 2012

posted April 26, 2017 01:46 PM

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Taking mine with me and my cheque book. Just think in film heaven no faded prints a perfect screen. Film hell prints are red.

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I love the smell of film in the morning.

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Tom Spielman
Master Film Handler

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From: Minneapolis, MN, USA
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posted April 26, 2017 04:54 PM

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The reality is though that when dealing with the death of a loved one, there are certain things you just want to be done with. And a lot depends on the circumstances.

If the death means that that the house is going to be sold or the lease ended, in many cases the survivors have a limited amount of time to figure out what to do with the possessions. No one may be willing spend the time it takes to list and sell scores of titles on eBay. No one may want to store the films until they're sold.

Also, emotionally it may be difficult to sell someone's beloved films in a piecemeal fashion. The survivors may well be grateful if someone were willing to take the whole lot for a tiny fraction of what it's worth.

I do agree that to the extent that you can, the best thing you can do for your loved ones is to prune your possessions down to a point that's easy to manage for them and leave clear instructions as to what should be done with what remains.

Of course, we don't always get a lot of advanced notice when it comes to dying. In that case I think your family will likely make at least some decisions that you would have preferred them not to make. However, at that point it's their lives and not yours. [Wink]

[Wink]

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

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From: New Zealand
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posted April 26, 2017 05:31 PM

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Tom

That pretty well sums it up, the main stuff that hopefully will stay, is our own family shot home movies, the commercial stuff like Star Wars etc most likely will be gone.. to be honest that really doesn't matter.

I agree when someone dies, for families time does become a factor in sorting things out for many reasons.

The subject is a tricky one as to the future, all I can say is to enjoy it while we are still kicking around. [Smile]

[Smile]

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Brian Fretwell
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From: London, UK
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posted April 26, 2017 06:06 PM

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Do we all now go out checking skips for film?

Also I wonder what house clearance firms do with prints and equipment from homes where relatives just want it all taken away.

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