Not finished, but thinking how to dispose of

Already thinking how to dispose of my very large collection of stoves, lanterns, lamps, misc. I still want to find a 1918 and 1941 Primus 96. The auction site Coleman Collectors use I don’t think would generate good support for my Swedish and other Euro stoves, the lanterns and lamps would find good support. How to sell off so many stoves we all collect? Mind boggling if sold via the bay and risk of lame buyers.
Duane

 

Common problem. Easier to buy than sell. I have the same trouble.

 

Why not post here first....I actually bought quite a few off Coleman forum...as not many people were that interested in the Euro stoves...worked well for me

 

Would be laborious to sell many here, not a small collection.
Duane

 

My wallet is twinkling haha ...

 

My two boys will have to figure that out once I'm gone. I enjoy my stoves and intend to keep enjoying them until I die.

Ben

 

Much like Ben, I reckon the 5 kids and 12 grandkids will figure a way to pass most of them around, most having camped and hiked with me and the classics. For sentimental reasons if nothing else.

Memories of Old Koskoosh....

 

I am certain many of us have the same 'problem'. Like @z1ulike I hope to hang on to them and leave the kids to sort it out. I have left notes on what is common, collectable, scarce, rare, nonpareil or a keepsake and hope that guides them. My wife thinks it's all junk and a trip to the tip would sort it out but my kids have a fuller appreciation; thank goodness.

I actually disposed of a sixty year large coin collection by divvying it up between the different family members. I sometimes have regrets that I did this too soon which is why I won't make the same mistake for my stoves and lanterns.

However, unlike coins, the maintenance on a large collection is somewhat of a problem. Just try taking out 5 stoves or lanterns that you havent used for ten years and see how many will light first go.

 

I've gotten pretty lazy, not even firing up a stove or lantern weekly, let a lone daily. I know how they run, been there, done that. Just look forward to anything new to fettle. Love em and leave em.
Duane

 

I already sold most of mine on eBay. It was laborious, but there was the added benefit that I got to fettle and use them again first and enjoy the memories.

 

@hikerduane I am sorry to say that it’s a big job, especially when the collection is big.

I have tried and I try everyday to reduce my collection but being still very active it keeps growing, but I have sold several hundreds items during the process of “refining” the collection.

First of all I would create 4 categories if I was planning to quit it:

1: The very valuable stoves
2: The average
3: The ones that could be gifted to friends
4: 10/20 items that will stay in the family forever, for sentimental reasons.

Of these categories the most complex is the number 2, a lot of items that will hardly give money back and will require a lot of photos and listings and shippings to get rid of.

The easiest categories are 3 and 4, to do a selection anytime.

The category 1 is the most delicate, because all of us have some very valuable items and they should be sold with attention. Most probably this category will pay the entire collection back, so giving some relax for the other three categories. In a large collection these items can be from 20 to 50, less or more (depending on the size of the collection let’s say 5-10% of the total items).

To get the best out of category 1 good photos and international shipping is a must, if extremely rare an auction is the best option (and it grants that the item in a way or another will be sold in the scheduled time). “Buy now” can work but sometimes giving competition brings more results. Items at fixed price, also if rare, can stay unsold for a long time.

Once category 1 is completed the collection is probably paid back or for a good part. At this point is possible to decide how fast we want to get rid of category 2. Average stoves can be sold in small lots, always through auction, so you can plan to let go for sure let’s say 20 items per week.
The best items of category 2, once the collection has been greatly reduced, can be sold one per time like for category 1, to try to maximize a little more the profit.

Done!

 

I don't worry much about it. But I find selling, even on ebay, can be kind of fun and entertaining, gives a person something stimulating (frustrating?) to do. Last year--2024-- I certainly sold more that I bought. I am getting much pickier about buying too.

 

Even at a low, modest price, I have more in my collection than what I paid for my garage over 20 years ago. I think the lanterns, some stoves, lamps could go to an auction site in Kansas. Doubt many have a sentimental value as they were all accumulated to make a collection. Just cry over where my rare Primus 96 stoves would go.
Duane

 

@hikerduane I am sure that between us you will find someone interested in your rare 96 and also willing to pay well for them

 

Its the sheer numbers I have that is mind boggling.
Duane

 

@hikerduane I am sure about it, I have around 1000 items in my collection so I understand you feeling at the base of the Everest

 

Also remember, if you dump the whole collection on the market at once, you'll saturate the market and lower prices.

Maybe offer the collection as a whole at first as well. Probably won't get as much $$$$ out of it as selling each individual item for a premium, but one large deal is a whole lot easier to do than 1,000 small ones.

 

I’ve seen two items bring down a price. I only have under 500. Plus all the parts, tools.
Duane

 

I got a house full of oddball stuff...Star Trek autographs...stoves and lanterns (not too many) ...WW1 and WW2 stuff...I feel you.
Been happy that the wife is into that stuff...

 

One of my still living uncles in Minnesota had to down size from a three br house and his full br of Coca-Cola stuff, amazing how much of that he had, plus a stamp collection.
Duane