The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Good news indeed, at least someone from the family has come along. Jerry didn't talk much about his family (although he complained about his mother a lot while she was still alive), and I'm glad somebody is now on hand to step up and take charge of the situation. It will be a very daunting task. I seem to recall that when Jerry moved from DC to WV, the phonographs were moved with all of their turntables stashed in one box, and I never found out if they ever got installed back into their correct machines. There was JUST so MUCH there, but if Kurt is patient and persistent he will get things rounded up. For a long time there was a logic to what was where. I'm very glad to know that the "boarders" are gone at long last. Kurt probably told you how they took advantage of Jerry's good nature, it was a terrible situation. It was a case of elder abuse, in my opinion. Thank you very much for following up with this and keeping us informed. So while I miss Jerry, the things he cherished won't be headed to the landfill in order to "clean the house" for eventual sale. This sad story may yet have a brighter ending than I imagined. And it's a lesson for those of us (yes, like me) that have been dragging their feet to draft a will.

Wow! I find it fascinating that some folks are so quick to assign "buzzard" status to individuals they don't even know. But, alas, some folks view the world through skeptical eyes. I, and several others on this forum who have been concerned about Jerry and the potential stealing of his beloved collections, had the opportunity to meet him and spend time in his homes, both in D.C. and in Harpers Ferry. We had the privilege of seeing his sometimes over-the-top enthusiasm for sharing his hobbies/collections with others. I found him to be both eccentric and delightful. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he helped me identify what has become one of my better finds as a collector, in my earlier days when I had no idea I had just purchased a Class M. Jerry is very much a part of my collecting memories, as are others on this very forum who have been a part of my 38 years of collecting. I'm grateful for the memories.
As for "circling the phonographs", I for one am at that point in my life when I am decreasing my collection, not adding to it, so am not planning to swoop down and snag an unsuspecting phonograph. Rather, if indeed Jerry's nephew organizes a sale or auction, I would love to be there to see the excitement the collection generates and the fun that other collectors, some new some not, will have in adding a well cared for treasure to their own collection. And that is exactly what, in my opinion, Jerry would want to see as well. I guess if you view passing collections onto the next generation as distributing carrion, then you would view the recipients as buzzards. Oh, well.....

When I talked to Kurt I told him that I have a DVD that I made when Dan Nichols and I went down in 2009.Kurt told me that he has photos of his uncle Jerry,but no video.I'll have a friend of mine from church burn a copy for me.Then I'll send it to Kurt.edisonplayer

FloridaClay wrote:When you die without a will the state does not take things (unless there are no legitimate heirs). There will be a state statute that establishes who gets the estate in a process supervised by the court that has jurisdiction over probate in the particular state. What makes it super stupid not to have a will (and yes this is a not too subtle hint to everybody on the Forum) is that, through this process, the state decides who gets your stuff, not you, and the probate process is expensive and eats up a lot of the value of the estate.

It appears here that the biggest immediate concern is theft and preserving things. The relatives need to be advised about what is going on and take steps to safeguard things before they are all gone.

Clay

Not true here in Illinois. A friend of mines mother passed at 98 recently and the state had the estate garnished to cover any cost associated with her nursing home care for the two years previous to her death.. The had to sell the house and then the state took what they said was their cut of the money made..

Larry

Larry,

I was speaking of how inheritance works. The situation you describe is something different. There can be recovery in some, perhaps all, states for the cost of medical care provided by the state. All estates are subject to the claims of creditors of the deceased, whether a public or private creditor.

Clay

larryh wrote:

FloridaClay wrote:When you die without a will the state does not take things (unless there are no legitimate heirs). There will be a state statute that establishes who gets the estate in a process supervised by the court that has jurisdiction over probate in the particular state. What makes it super stupid not to have a will (and yes this is a not too subtle hint to everybody on the Forum) is that, through this process, the state decides who gets your stuff, not you, and the probate process is expensive and eats up a lot of the value of the estate.

It appears here that the biggest immediate concern is theft and preserving things. The relatives need to be advised about what is going on and take steps to safeguard things before they are all gone.

Clay

Not true here in Illinois. A friend of mines mother passed at 98 recently and the state had the estate garnished to cover any cost associated with her nursing home care for the two years previous to her death.. The had to sell the house and then the state took what they said was their cut of the money made..

Larry

This is true everywhere in this country. The 1993 Budget Reonciliation Act required state Medicaid agencies to pursue recovery for all long-term care, and allowed states to pursue recovery for all Medicaid benefits of any kind received after the age of 55. Michigan was the last state to buck the system, only beginning to pursue recovery in 2011.

I got a message from Jerry's niece Madelene Parks.She said that there will be an auction of Jerry's wonderful old phonographs,records,antiques,ect on August 30th and September 1st in Martinsburg,WV by Duke Edwards Auctions.There will also be an online auction at Edwards Auctions(Duke Edwards Auctions)Jerry's sister,Peggy Donnell London,was her mother.I want to get the word out about this.edisonplayer

edisonplayer wrote:I got a message from Jerry's niece Madelene Parks.She said that there will be an auction of Jerry's wonderful old phonographs,records,antiques,ect on August 30th and September 1st in Martinsburg,WV by Duke Edwards Auctions.There will also be an online auction at Edwards Auctions(Duke Edwards Auctions)Jerry's sister,Peggy Donnell London,was her mother.I want to get the word out about this.edisonplayer

I think most of us received an unsolicited PM or email from this Madeleine Parks already with all the particulars. So,the word is "OUT".... . Perhaps a auction notice should be placed in the appropriate section closer to when it takes place ??.

What's the status on this auction? Would anyone happen to have any information? I just thought I'd ask.

Thanks,

Garret

Garret wrote:What's the status on this auction? Would anyone happen to have any information? I just thought I'd ask.

Thanks,

Garret

According to the members post....
Jerry's niece Madelene Parks.She said that there will be an auction of Jerry's wonderful old phonographs,records,antiques,ect on August 30th and September 1st in Martinsburg,WV by Duke Edwards Auctions..

So, just contact the auction house for more details.... .