[NHCOLL-L:776] Re: Fwd: Specimen values

[Margaret K. Thayer]

I have no idea what the values of bird specimens might be, but an 
institution receiving a donation is not allowed by the IRS (Internal 
Revenue Service) to provide information on value to the donor - it's a 
blatant conflict of interest.  The donor needs to get such information for 
his/her tax deduction from an appraiser familiar with natural history 
specimens.  I'm told that there is an association of such appraisers, but 
am afraid I have no further information on it.

>=========================================================================
>Hi, all--We have a donor that wants to give the Museum of Southwestern
>Biology a small collection of natural-history specimens, including (a)
>study skins with data; (b) study skins without data; and (c) museum
>mounts of mainly medium-sized birds (e.g., American Avocet and
>Ring-billed Gull).  I want to suggest values for each of these three
>categories, so the donor can use them for tax purposes. ...
>John Hubbard

Margaret K. Thayer      mthayer at fmnh.org     http://www.fmnh.org
Zoology--Insects
Field Museum of Natural History
1400 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago IL 60605-2496, USA
PHONE: 312-665-7741 (direct-dial)
FAX: 312-665-7754