@Ryan Selvius posted:I get the impression you shouldn’t be trusted with items of historical significance.
Wrong impression, as far as comparing to art. The very old trains I own were purchased as toys, not as artwork. They are still used as 'toys' in that they see regular use on my layout alongside new trains. The only historical significance they have is to me.
The classic and old significant artwork I and my family own thru a couple generations was created as art, not as playthings. Of course those get protected and cared for. I'm not going to mess with paintings by Picasso or Chagall, or an original Fredric Remington bronze; add some original pottery by Maria of San Il Defonso or maybe the one-off Rooster that DeGrazia erred when sculpting, etc..etc.. etc...
The only reason I bring up the above art collections is to show that I am well aware of what being a caretaker of items of historical significance means.
If I were to decide to become a model/toy train collector, I would purchase items as such, and protect those as well.
