Equity Method Investment, Additional Information

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate of amounts due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer), for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business and an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date within one year of the balance sheet, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection and net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder, respectively.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3,4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3, 4

-Article 5

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Article 5

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cost of the investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=hgbl_PolaroidCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Period Type:

Equity Method Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2007
Net investment at balance sheet date	$ 156us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments	$ 1,769us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Gain on sale of investment	551	0
Accounts Receivable, from Equity Investment	3,043	1,670
Polaroid Corporation [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage					5.00%
Non-Asset Liquidation Equity Investment Acquired				275	2,620
Gain on sale of investment	551
Accounts Receivable, from Equity Investment	1,992
Knight's Bridge Capital Partners Internet Fund No. 1 GP LLC [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage						33.33%
Non-Asset Liquidation Equity Investment Acquired						20
Net investment at balance sheet date	156	19
Equity Method Investment, Additional Information	136
Share of profits distribution			$ 140