Two interesting private projects came my way in 2012-14: helping a client sell some music-related letters, and helping a different client find a home for a music-related archive. Both sets of property carried emotive personal or family feeling. Choosing the most appropriate course of action held high importance for their respective owners.

In the first case, the triply inherited letters had lain at the back of a desk drawer for 50 years, forgotten; selling was deemed the necessary method of disposal. In the second case, the archive of writings and papers had been consciously built up for 50 years; gifting was the desired method of disposal.

Beyond listening and making preliminary suggestions, my role included arranging meetings, authenticating documents, assessing value, comparing reactions, writing communications, and occasionally negotiating.

The first project covered some 20 months and had a positive outcome for several parties. The second project took only a few weeks and also had a happy result for all concerned.

'Your advice to me about the letters was invaluable'

private owner

'Thank you again for your help and encouragement ... I'm very pleased and relieved '

private owner