Potential Donors
Information for Potential Donors of Historic Objects and Materials
Although we are grateful to everyone who chooses to entrust us with a treasured piece of osteopathic history, limitations on space and other resources, as well as responsible collections management, require us to be selective. The decision about whether to accept a particular artifact is based on several factors, such as the item’s origin, condition, match to collecting guidelines, and overlap with artifacts already in the collection. In some cases (especially books), a list will be requested to aid in the decision process.
The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine (SM) collects historic materials that support its education, exhibition, and scholarship functions. The collections policies are guided by the Museum’s mission statement.
Anyone considering making any donation (large or small) should call the Curator first, to be sure the items are appropriate for the collection. Calling beforehand saves the donor the trouble and expense of shipping items that cannot be accepted. It also allows us to give advice on packing and shipping so that your precious objects and photographs arrive safely.
What does the Museum collect?
The artifacts that tell the story of osteopathy come in many different forms, including three-dimensional objects, photographs, manuscripts and documents, and printed material; the Museum collects all of these formats. We are the international museum for osteopathic history and thus collect materials documenting the growth and practice of osteopathic medicine in all parts of the country (and the world). We primarily focus on the early years of osteopathy (through 1950) and accept only limited materials dated after 1974.
What does the Museum NOT collect?
The Museum has an adequate representation of the following types of artifacts and thus no longer accepts them:
- General medical books unless written by a D.O.
- Medical bags
- General medical instruments and supplies
- Medications
- Plaques and trophies
- Kirksville diplomas (Diplomas from other schools are welcome.)
- State licenses, AOA membership certificates, and similar documents
Exceptions may be made when there is something particularly unusual about the item in question.
Frequently asked questions
How does the donation process work?
As noted above, it is very important that you call first to discuss your potential donation. Once your donation is accepted, you will receive a temporary gift agreement form to sign and return to the Museum. We will also ask your wishes regarding any items we cannot use for the collection; options include allowing us to sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of the items in a way that benefits the Museum, or returning them to you (at your expense). Once your donation has been fully processed, you will receive a formal deed of gift agreement to sign and return to the Museum.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Your gift may be tax deductible. Museum of Osteopathic Medicine (SM) / ATSU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational institution. You may be required to complete and IRS Form 8283; please consult your tax advisor.
Donors of property gifts of over $5,000, except for gifts of publicly traded stock, must obtain an appraisal by an independent third-party appraiser in accordance with current tax law requirements. Donors are responsible for obtaining their own appraisals for tax purposes of real property or tangible or intangible personal property being given to the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine (SM) / ATSU and for any fees or other expenses related to such appraisals. Museum of Osteopathic Medicine (SM) / ATSU retains the right to obtain its own qualified appraisals of real property or tangible or intangible personal property being offered as a gift at its own expense.
Artifact Identification:
Resources in your area that might have information or personnel to help you identify your object(s) are:
*University or area libraries
*State and local historical societies or museums
*State extension services
Artifact Appraisals:
A few references to help you determine the monetary value of your collectibles:
The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine (SM) does not offer monetary evaluations. We have, however, compiled the following information which we trust will be helpful.
Antiques, artworks, and other collectible items have such an individual nature that fixed values are difficult to establish. Prices asked and amounts offered are determined by personal interests of both the seller and the purchaser and by the trends in the market.
You can ascertain the current range of prices for items exchanged at sales and auctions by consulting the price guides available in bookstores or public libraries. Also, dealers actively engage in buying and selling antiques, professional appraisers attached to sales galleries, and official appraisers of local probate courts usually can give prevailing price values. They may be located in collectors’ magazines and in the yellow pages of telephone directories.
While the organizations named below may not provide appraisals, they could provide you with a listing of people who can provide appraisals.
American Association of Independent Appraisers
The Greg Rogers Historical House
616 Second Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 420-7782
(619) 420-7788 Fax
Can provide referrals for appraisers.
American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC)
1717 K Street, N.W., Suite 200
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 452-9545
(202) 452-9328 Fax
E-mail: info@aic-faic.org
Can provide referrals for art conservators.
Appraisers Association of America
386 Park Avenue South #2000
New York, NY 10016-8804
(212) 889-5404
(212) 889-5503 Fax
Provides referrals for appraisals.
Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Group
1881 Scanlan Street
London, Ontario
N5W 6C3
Canada
1-800-891-0516
(519) 451-2443 Fax
CPPAG is a Canadian made, national, personal property appraisal organization comprising a network of accredited appraisers spanning from coast to coast.
International Society of Appraisers
737 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 981-6778
(312) 981-6787 Fax
Provides referrals for appraisers.
Jeff Weber Rare Books
http://www.weberrarebooks.com/
2731 Lompoc St
Los Angeles CA 90065-5107
(323) 334-9332 direct phone
(323) 333-4140 Cell
(323) 344-9267 Fax
eberbks@pacbell.net
info@WeberRareBooks.com
Maine Antique Digest
PO Box 1429
Waldoboro, ME 04572
(207) 832-7534
Can do search on Appraisers Association of America, Appraisers Society of America and International Society of Appraisers.
National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
PO Box 6558
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 261-8270
Provides referrals for jewelry and gem appraisers
National Association of Professional Appraisers
65 E. India Row
Suite 10F
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 720-0332
(617) 720-0274 Fax
The National Association of Professional Appraisers is an organization of people who provide economic valuations of real, personal, and intangible property.
Nugent Appraisal Service
http://www.nugentappraisal.com/qualifications.php
PO Box 9174
Greenville, SC 29604
(888) 353-7152 Toll-Free
(561) 43107826 Fax
Additional Internet Sources:
Abe Books
http://www.abebooks.com/
Antiques Roadshow
Television and trade show on antiques and collectibles.
Appraisers Net
Cars, Books, Watches & Clocks, Household Goods & Clothing, Collections, Furs, Musical Instruments, Computers, Jewelry, Antiquities & Tribal Art, Arms & Armor, Coins, Oriental Art, and Painting Appraisers.
Bonhams Auctioneers
Auction Gallery specializing in antiques, artworks, and collectibles.
Collectors.org Appraisals and Appraising
Information on appraisals.
Ebay
Online auctons
Old China Patterns Limited
China, Crystal, Collectibles and Figurines replacement matching services.
Replacements, LTD
Discontinued & Active China, Crystal, Flatware and Collectibles Patterns up to 100 years old.
World of Art and Antiques
Associations around the world.
This list is not all-inclusive. You might also try contacting auction houses or antique dealers and looking in your local yellow pages for appraisers.
The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, (SM) (MOM), gives no endorsements for any products, materials or services mentioned on this website and are not responsible for problems from their use or misuse. MOM does not make warranty, expressed or implied; does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information or process disclosed; nor represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. If any organizations or other pertinent information has been inadvertently excluded please contact MOM.
Will the object I donate be kept on exhibit?
The Museum cannot display every object, and some artifacts should not be exhibited because of their condition. However, many items that cannot be exhibited are still very valuable for research or education.
May I limit the use of my donation?
The Museum will accept restricted donations only in exceptional cases. A privacy request such as “I’d like to donate my diary, but I don’t want anyone to read it until after my death” is an example of a reasonable restriction. A restriction such as “Only ATSU students and alumni may use my papers” or “The object always has to be on display” would not be acceptable.
A note about framed objects
We recommend that documents and photographs be removed from frames before shipping (unless there is something unusual about the frame). Framing glass frequently breaks, slicing and damaging the enclosed objects. Frames are also bulky and expensive to ship. Once removed from the frames, however, be sure to provide adequate support for the photograph or document, such as sandwiching the item between two pieces of clean corrugated cardboard. (“Shirt cardboard” is not sufficient!) Please call if you have any questions about packing artifacts for shipment
