My late husband liked to collect things. He also liked to keep things. If he brought something into the house, it stayed there, particularly if it held sentimental value or if he considered the item to be collectible. He hoped the items he kept would be worth something someday but because he couldn’t easily part with his belongings, nothing was ever sold.

Which means I inherited more than a few items that mean nothing to me and may or may not have value. I have already sold or given away a few things; most memorably his 1970’s Bell motorcycle helmet in the original box, complete with the unopened stickers. The collector I sold it to was blown away. His words.

The helmet took up space and held no sentiment for me. I had zero interest in carting it about or giving up the shelf space. I do however, get stuck on sentiment, or twinges of guilt at selling off his ‘stuff’. There is a practical question here. At what point do you part with a collectible item?

March 30, 1981 my husband and I watched the New York Yankees play the LA Dodgers at their spring training camp in Dunedin, Florida. Reggie Jackson and Dave Winfield were on the field. 

George Steinbrenner was in the stands; my husband went up to him, shook his hand and asked him to autograph the program. If you are not a baseball enthusiast, we saw two terrific players and the famous owner of the team, George himself. 

There is no date on the program other than the year, 1981. I know it was March 30 because that was the day Ronald Reagan was shot. As news of the assassination attempt spread, a loud buzz moved through the crowd like a group of children playing telephone.

Fast forward to 2024, do I keep the program, or do I sell it? And what is it worth, if anything? Do I carry it around for a few more decades so my executor can throw it out? 

If someone were standing right in front of me with cash in their hand, I would trade the program without a thought. The guilt comes from knowing my husband would still choose to keep it. And then there is always the possibility the program and the signature are worth nothing.

I have requested an appraisal from an American auction house. Steinbrenner’s signature on baseballs seems to range all over the place; $300 to over $1000. Who knows if his signature on a program makes it more or less valuable? Not me.

Truth be told, I hope it sells. I will let you know.

There will be no post next week for the Easter Holiday.

Keep your joy.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger, unless it’s a holiday weekend. Or summertime. Facebook or email.