| When is a book not a book? When it's | | | | are sure, describe it as 'unusual' or 'uncommon', |
| autographed, for example, or in pristine condition | | | | not rare.* It is antique? So many things described |
| despite being centuries old, and other factors that | | | | as antique are simply old, less than one hundred |
| make it stand out from the crowd.These are a | | | | years to which the word antique really applies. So |
| few of many reasons an item - not just books | | | | say 'old' or 'vintage', not 'antique', unless you're |
| by the way - may be worth nothing and another | | | | sure of that 100 year rule.* Was the item |
| virtually priceless:* Is it dated? Dated items are | | | | designed for heavy use, such as pots and pans, |
| usually provenance proved, not subject to | | | | coins and banknotes, and unlikely to survive the |
| guesswork. But, consider: is it original or a | | | | decades intact? Was the item ephemeral, of |
| reproduction or reprint? Be careful, if it's dated, | | | | limited shelf life, such as theatre tickets, |
| give the date, but don't testify to age. For | | | | newspapers, and typically used or given away in |
| example, a book dated 1900 may indeed have | | | | hours or days? If the item has survived decades, |
| been printed that year, and be 105 years old, or it | | | | intact, it could be valuable, maybe very valuable.* |
| could be a modern reprint. If you're unsure you | | | | Does the item have 'double appeal'? Might it |
| could say: 'Dated 1900, in good condition', but not | | | | attract bids from two or more different eBay |
| 'Dated 1900. A wonderful example at 105 years | | | | categories and consequently multiple bids, such as |
| old'. Play it safe and on all your listings add: 'All | | | | a book on a popular theme, but a collectible |
| items described to the best of our knowledge and | | | | author, with a famous previous owner. A plate I |
| ability'. A satisfaction or money back guarantee | | | | bought at the auction of Dame Catherine |
| also protects you against problems of innocently | | | | Cookson's effects presented four collecting |
| mis-describing items.* Is there a signature? Did | | | | themes: as a plate in its own right (very popular |
| this otherwise ordinary item have a famous | | | | collecting area), famous owner (well-known |
| owner to increase its value? Is the signature | | | | novelist), Ringtons design (advertising), area of |
| genuine? Or a forgery? Is the signature original or | | | | manufacture (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Oh yes, it was |
| printed into the book? If the signature is original, is | | | | also blue and white, another major collecting |
| it the hand of the famous person or an agent | | | | interest.* Is the price too low for comfort? Is it a |
| charged with signing on their behalf?* Is it in good | | | | fake or reproduction? Broken? Even worse, |
| condition? Do you understand what 'good | | | | stolen? Check items thoroughly, ask for proof of |
| condition' means for this particular item? Many | | | | previous ownership, buy from reputable sellers |
| collectibles, such as books, postcards, stamps, | | | | only, avoid itinerant sellers at flea markets and |
| have industry recognised grading standards to | | | | boot sales unless they provide receipts and |
| which you should also conform. For example, | | | | contact details. Most boot sale and flea market |
| unused collectors' stamps with hinge marks, are | | | | sellers are very genuine and a majority of |
| not mint, but can be described as unused or | | | | organisers now provide written details of traders |
| mounted, and other recognised descriptions.* Is it | | | | at the event. Stolen items belong to their original |
| rare? Or is it something quite common but new | | | | owner, not the innocent buyer. |
| to you? What does rare really mean? Unless you | | | | |