The Big Move!
Collector Chats
By Peter Seibert - March 19, 2021
So, it has been two weeks since we returned to the Mid-Atlantic after the big move across country. Most of us move several times in our lives (I will say that we have done it way too many times). Planning to move so many times has given me an interesting perspective on how to relocate your collections. This time, we have faced the challenge of moving in the worst conditions possible: heavy snow and minus 15 degrees during the pack-out. With that in mind, I thought I might offer a few ideas on moving based upon all my experiences. 1. Use a good mover. We have been fortunate to use a local mover in Pennsylvania who did an exceptional job. That is critical to the moving process. Several years ago, we had to use (because of my employers rules) a large commercial mover. The damage done to our collections was immense. Local packers who had no responsibility were brought in to load the trucks, and the mess they made is still evident. Invest in a great mover! 2. Spend your time to pack well. We have reached the point of packing ourselves rather than relying upon others. We purchase good quality boxes and materials and pack things really tight. We had a box that was filled with extremely fragile items but packed so well that when it dropped nothing was broken. 3. Use clothing and bedding to help in the packing process. We have used sheets and sweaters as buffers in our boxes to help protect valuable items. 4. Mark your boxes. We messed up on this before, and it costs us so much time, particularly when we reuse a box that has old markings on it. When the movers cannot be here for the loading and unloading, we have even color coordinated so the master bedroom was always green. 5. Finally, moving is a great time to cull the herd. Reduce the number of lesser items that you have, and separate out the broken examples, the collections that never really worked out. Its also a chance to share your treasures with family and friends. Make a gift to someone who should be starting to think about a collection or begin to pass on treasures to the next generation. One of the challenges that I have found is my library. With so many research resources available online, holding a big research library is no longer critical. That being said, I have to confess that I have repurchased several books that I previously sold as I found them to be a faster resource than online. So, as you think about moving, it is time to review those books and, with a clear eye, decide whether you want to keep them or not. Moving is part of life, and I encourage you as you consider those changes to make your plans accordingly. Peter Seibert, a native Pennsylvanian, grew up in the antiques business and remains closely tied to auction houses, collectors, and dealers. Professionally, he has served as a museum director and public historian in Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Virginia, and Wyoming. He holds a Master of Arts in American Studies from Penn State and has authored two books and numerous articles on decorative arts, interior design, and history.
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