alt Hacker News10 GBP/book, perpetual storage space included.
Sounds a good price, no?
His worst fear resonates with me: if the collection is separated, all his collecting was basically a waste of time and effort. I share similar thoughts: how to avoid that the collection gets ripped apart upon my departure? How to ascertain continuity (if now growth, at least at the status quo level)? Where should bet books be located so as to maximize utility? And, worst of all, how to stop the decay in people's willingness to read books for curiosity's and knowledge's sake? Move the books somewhere else where knowlege is not taken for granted (e.g. Africa)?
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As someone who often sees personal collections scathered around in the dust of flea markets, I would say there is nothing you can actually do to be safe. Even if your kids preserve it, their kids will _pay_ local gypsies to take it all away so they can renovate the houses and flats. From there it's as good as trash.
At some level all collecting is a "waste" of time and effort. The joy of collecting is in the hunt, not the meal.
We collect because collecting is a hobby - it passes the time and provides enjoyment. 99% of collections have 0 intrinsic value. (Jay Leno's Garage aside.)
I collect Sci Fi books pre 1970. Their objective value is close to zero. Their literary value is zero. When I go they'll go to the recycling. That's fine. It was my hobby, not my sins.
Inheriting collections is not collecting. It's just stuff yo get rid of.
If there's anything valuable in your collection, sell it yourself before you die. Or put it in the "specials case". No one will sift your collection for wheat - it'll just all be thrown out or given away. Indeed that's a good outcome- some other collector will find a valuable tome in the charity shop for a few pennies.