Klarinet Archive - Posting 000007.txt from 1996/02

From: Rich Copeland <RichC611@-----.COM>
Subj: Way to go, Dan!
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 09:01:06 -0500

In reading the various comments/questions, and Mr. Leeson's responses, on the
donation of his huge music library to various repositories, I must say that
Dan
is absolutely right in doing what he's doing. Two reasons, the most
important
one first:
The "Value-in-the-Eye-of-the-Beholder" principle----
An old, non-musician friend of mine passed away about 10 years ago. His
hobby was
the collection of old railroad timetables. These things, believe it or not,
can sell for
very large amounts if offered to the right people. But they don't glitter.
Only the
trained eye can recognize their value. Unfortunately, whoever cleaned out
his
house after his death did not have this trained eye. (Don't blame me, I
didn't even
know he died until three months later). His large and highly valuable
collection
ended up in the trash.
Now I would guess that Dan's collection has some similarity to these
timetables.
Many are old, some may be worn, dusty, repaired with tape, etc. In the wrong
combination of circumstances, the entire collection could quite easily be
trashed.
So Dan's arrangement for disposition of the music is a very wise move.

The tax issue----
He "admits" he will get a nice tax deduction for doing this. (What's to
"admit"?--it's
completely legal and done frequently). We've all heard various politicians
promising
to reduce, and starkly simplify, the federal income tax if we would just
elect them.
What if this happens? (As a 10-year veteran income tax preparer, I say don't
bet on
it happening, but that's for a different board). Suppose they do install a
flat tax,
prepared on a post card? Dan would certainly be unable to use the deduction
which he can take under the current system.

So you have my $0.02. Also, I'm very glad to hear that he's not dying!