Dear Lee,

After 58 years of collecting toy trucks, cars and related collectibles, Donald Kaufman, the founder of Kay-Bee Toys, is selling his thousands of antique and vintage toys. Why is he selling? Antique Toy World reported that he said: “It is time. I want to have as much fun selling the collection as I had in building it.” Jeanne Bertoia of Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, N.J., which is selling the collection, said: “It’s very important to him to be able to see it being sold. He wants to spread the toys among all the collectors.” And he will. In 2009 there will be one auction in March and another in September. More will follow.

Owners of collections, large or small, have differing attitudes about selling. Some sell because they need cash, perhaps for their children’s college tuition. Some sell to prove they were smart collectors who made a profit. Some can’t part with a collection while alive, so it’s given away or sold as part of their estate. Some keep the collection together by donating it to a museum or college and then enjoy seeing the collection, named for them, on display. Many others, like Mr. Kaufman, like watching the auction of their collection and remembering where and when a piece was bought and what it cost—and then being delighted that it sold for more and went into another collection.

Ralph always wanted to sit at the back of an auction while some of his country store collection was sold. And he donated enough other pieces to see the sign “Ralph’s Store” on a room at our local historical society. Next time you add something to your collection, think about which kind of person you will be after you spend years assembling a meaningful collection. And be sure to tell your family what you plan to do—or want them to do.