The author of the article explores the problems of modern private collections in Ukraine, and, on the example of two private collections, discusses such typical problems as the isolation of important artifacts from the world heritage, their improper attribution, the loss of the valuable information about heritage and the irreversible destruction of the cultural property. After the death of the collector, no one is responsible for the collected items. Artworks are exposed to great risk and can be sold, stolen, destroyed, exported to another country and so on. The author is convinced that unique artworks from private collections are in need of state care, particularly cataloging in state programs with the participation of specialized experts. The author suggests creating a Unified electronic catalog of material cultural heritage artifacts of Ukraine. Artworks possessing special value from the viewpoint of heritage are proposed to be additionally published on the platform of the Electronic Information Resource of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Values of Ukraine, the work on which was started by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.