Thomas,
In spite of the ton of money your institution has
spent on housing, preserving, arranging and describing this
collection,
I would very kindly tell him the benefits of
keeping the collection together in your archives but, since he truly felt that
it was a loan not a donation, he can have it back whenever he wants to come and
pick it up. Wouldn't help him sell it though, but if he wants to send an
appraiser over to examine it, that would be fine too.
Under the circumstances, you're no worse off than
you were. He might even get a donor or might not even pick them up. At least
this time, you'll have the paperwork on it.
Claire
Claire A. Cardina, CRM, CA
|