Thanks, MickyMan, good piece. I remember my dad and some other relatives did this. It seems most of our lives we are in 'accumulation' mode, but at some point one needs to get into a 'divesting' or 'distributing' phase.

The best cases are when you can pass something on to a younger relative or friend or neighbor who honestly admires or is interested in the thing, and relate the background pedigree or special story behind it.

And then have no illusions about the rest; just get rid of, as the article says, the meaningless stuff.