Rescued From The Trash

I thought that the members might enjoy this story
http://www.webuystamps.com/ASDJAN09.pdf.pdf

Sorry Russ, would have responded earlier, but I was in the dumpster. - Jeff

It does bring dumpster diving to a whole new level

It happens all the time...i was at a small show in Vermont and befoe leaving I stopped at one guys table I had avoided because nothing was priced...he said "everythings 1/3 catalog" I asked him how he could sell for such a price...he said a woman called him and she had shopping bags full of her late husbands 'Stamps' that she wanted to dispose of... the dealer took a look into the bags and offered her $700 which she agreed to...when he arrived home and started to look through the bags he found a real windfall of items that had never been opened..he was happy to take what he needed for his stock and sell the rest off at 1/3 catalog..which made me happy !!

Hi Russ and Philb

You are right it happens all the time. But not only with stamps and coins, but also with books. When the Catholic Church changed things a bit with Vatican two, literally thousands of books and items were thrown out. Whilst researching some of the items thrown out, I have contacted Mother Houses in Rome only to be astounded that they themselves are searching for copies of some of the items that I have rescued as items that are extremely valuable and that should not have been disposed off.. They have asked me if I would be interested in surrendering the items for Historical reasons. I will not give them up, but make sure they are always looked after and never sold or disposed off to persons who will not look after them carefully.
Libraries, museums and heirs can be dangerous persons.When the famous Signet Library was closed down, they sold thousands of rare and unobtainable books for next to nothing. That is why every effort should be made to inform all you children of the value of some items. They may sell them, but at least they will not get dumped.

Regards,
Horamakhet

As a tax lawyer, the first thing that came into mind was maybe the heirs wanted to avoid paying the estate tax..hehehe

Its not only from residents that this happens. A few decades back when I worked in Chicago a co worker borrowed the company truck during lunch break. He was a train nut who spent lots of time with model trains and such. Well he used the truck to gather up what was left in a dumpster from one of the train company's that went out of business in the 70's. From what I remember he had gotten a lot of old glass plate negatives photos from a bi-gone era. Also some other historical memorabilia that was just pitched.

Great story russ.

Thanks for sharing