American Empire furniture
maw_...@yahoo.com
without paying someone to look at or appraise what I have. I am also
interested in finding out information on how items could or should be
donated to historical societies or museums?
Can someone refer me to a good reference source and has anyone had any
experience in working with a historical society or museum?
Kris Baker
<maw_...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1131995620....@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
It's getting close to tax time. Do I detect a question about donating
items in exchange for a tax write-off?
If your item(s) have documented provenance that relates to the
museum/society's interest, they may be willing to accept them. Don't
count on them being displayed, though - they get many more donations
than they could ever use (or want). Often, they sell them off for income.
If you want your items displayed, you nearly always have to accompany
your "in kind" donation with the cash needed to mount the display.
A friend asked a local college if they'd be interested in her donation of
hundreds of pieces of high-quality art glass. She was crushed to
find out that her donation would likely go to storage, given to other
facilities, or auctioned to provide funding. They had no building to
house such a collection, nor much interest in that subject. They
also told her that such donations needed to be accompanied by
three appraisals, performed by recognized authorities, and they'd
give her the necessary donation documentaiton based on the
average appraisal. They do not pay for appraisals.
If you are merely seeking a tax donation, perhaps the best course
is to consign your items to auction, then donate the resulting cash
to the charity of your choice.
Kris
maw_...@yahoo.com
of a family estate. We are simply beginning to seek info on all the
options we might have. "Letting go" of sentimental attachment is one of
the biggest hurdles, I think.
That may be why the idea of donating came up. Perhaps we will be better
off consigning or auctioning as you suggest.
Marie Forjan
Also be aware that the amount you can deduct from your taxes may vary
depending on where you give the donation. If you are giving a Monet to a
museum that specializes in Impressionism that's good. If you give the
same Monet to say a historical society that has little or no interest in
Impressionism the IRS may not let you deduct the full value.
We found this out when my parents wanted to donate a collection of Bird
sculptures. Their lawyer said they should not be donated to the local
art museum, they ended up giving them to the local Audubon. It worked
out well, my parents got a nice tax break and the Audubon has a lovely
display.
Food for thought,
Marie
Janice Hudnall
'Classical Taste in America 1800-1840' Wendy A Cooper Abbeville Press