Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey
Famous Wedding Album On Ebay
A friend had a wedding album in the bottom of his closet for over 10 years of a VERY famous and powerful US family that he wants me to sell. The photographer in question alone is world famous, never mind the celebrities and the of course, that famous family.The album has people like Howard Cosell, Don Meredith, Andy Warhole (drawing a gift for the bride!) and even Mick Jagger & Jerry Hall! He saw a crew of guys cleaning out an entire office and they were dumping everything out in the rolling dumpsters. On his way home, he picked it up from the trash.I had a CPA take a look at it and he said it should not be sold for anything less than $35,000.Also, there has been a major scandal with the newlyweds that was all over the papers and TV !!(The major reason the CPA felt it was worth that much)Anyway, I have serious concerns whether I would be able to legally place this item on ebay without causing a major uproar or even get arrested or some other craziness.I feel that I should just clean my hands and return it to my friend and leave well enough alone. Maybe I should contact the photographer or even the family in question? Maybe it's ok to sell it because it was thrown away? Maybe there is money to be made here. I don't know. Thanks!
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Famous Wedding Album On Ebay
Congradulations. You have a valuable artifact.
From your discription of the circumstances, the album could considered to be discarded property. If you are the possessor of that, you have legal title to the property provided that it was no unintentionally discarded by its owner.
Do not make copies except for you own personal use to show the contents and ownership. The photographer, no doubt, has a copyright in the photographs and will enforce it if required.
From the tone of your question it sounds as if you are not especially concerned with the economic value of your find. In that case, consider donating it to a museum that specializes in the collection of artifacts of celebrities. That may produce some tax benefits for you at no cost.
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