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