A Guide To Reclaiming Family Heirlooms
A loved one passes away and their precious items go up for auction. Your home was affected by a flood or fire and certain precious items were damaged. Or worse, someone broke into your house and stole some of your valuables. Either because of loss or damage, one thing is certain- you need help reclaiming family heirlooms.
The fuller brush company has been in business since 1906. It’s been one hundred years and in that time span, families change. Babies are born, loved ones pass away, others leave home. Something as simple as a hairbrush (Beech Club Hairbrush and Military Hairbrush) may not seem like much, but when it becomes a family heirloom, as is the case for a lot of fuller brushes (Beech Club Gentler), their absence can be heartbreaking. The company gets calls all the time from individuals saying that the brush they inherited or purchased years ago still looks like new, even with daily use.
Many of the Fuller Brush Company’s items are classified as vintage or antique. You can find their letter openers, perfume compact/pins, barlow lighters, and other items in antique shops and online stores. A quick internet search on “Fuller Brush Antiques” pulls up scores of information. If you suspect you have a fuller brush vintage or antique item, consult an expert in the subject or do your own online or library search.
When a loved one passes away and has no will, their valuable items will often go up for auction. Well, you can either try to put in a claim that you should inherit it, or attend the auction and purchase it. However, when a piece is especially valuable, reclaiming family heirlooms in this way can become more of a challenge, especially if they are collector’s items.
If your house was ravaged by a flood or fire, you will need to sift through debris when reclaiming family heirlooms. Make sure your insurance company and any necessary investigators pay you a visit before you disturb anything. Once they or any investigators say it is okay to sift through, sift slowly and carefully through your belongings. Heirlooms and antiques should not be left outside where the elements can cause even more damage so the quicker you can locate them, the better.
If there was a break in and your valuable family heirlooms were stolen, contact the authorities right away. They may be able to alert area pawn shops and art dealers in case any of the items turn up. To make the authorities’ jobs easier, provide them with photos and description of all the items. For extra protection, photograph your items and write detailed descriptions. Place the photos and descriptions in a safety deposit box in case you need them for later use.
If your heirlooms still haven’t turned up, take heart. Remember they are just things, and no one can take away the story and memories attached to them. Talk to your children and grandchildren about them. Write a memoir. Share their stories with as many people as you can. Maybe they’ll still resurface!
Add comment January 25th, 2006