Boy, did Colin MacKinnon hit a nerve!  ["Liquidating a Collection",
in 020221 MMDigest]

As a relatively young enthusiast (I hate the word "collector"!) at
age 40,  I've really been bothered by the monetary aspect of this
hobby.  With all the brokers and snobby folk trying to impress people
with their collections, those of us who were not around during the days
of "getting a Violano by simply hauling it out of someone's basement"
sometimes feel like we're being taken advantage of!

Hey, when you have a wife, two kids and a mortgage and are really
obsessed with the history of these magnificent machines, you don't
have a lot of money to spare.

My beloved Steinway Duo-Art, the first and likely only significant
Mechanical Music purchase, was bought from an individual who was
entering an old-age home.

I'll not mention his name, but let me say that with his attitude
he managed to infuriate at least one other "player piano nut" I know.
A relatively wealthy person, he was obviously was upset about selling
me the instrument at the price I paid.  He obviously considered it a
distress sale.  To this day I don't know if I got ripped off or not,
but his attitude and obvious lack of knowledge really put me off.  All
he knew was that it was a Steinway Duo-Art and was valuable.  Geez!

After closing the deal, I spent a lot of time gushing over my purchase
and spouting off what I had learned about Steinway and Aeolian.  He
seemed disinterested.  I was not a wealthy and powerful individual
seeking to add his treasure to my collection, just a kid from Jersey
who became obsessed with these machines by hanging out with a bunch
of old eccentrics who ran a player piano repair shop in Boonton.

Truly this man was pathetic.  I told him I'd take care if his
instrument and make sure another person who loved the machine would
own it when my days on the planet were done.  He didn't care.

I don't think he had children.  His girlfriend had recently left him.
In a way I felt sorry for him.  It was sad to see that he couldn't even
crack a smile at me after I thanked him for making me so happy.

Sell your collection to someone who appreciates it, not just some jerk
with lots of bucks.  I know that if one of my two little boys does not
want the Steinway, I'll make sure it ends up with someone who really
appreciates it!

Ed Chabon