| If you have read the previous articles in | | | | Any water or damp damage? |
| this series (they can be read on this website | | | | |
| or ), you should now have a clear idea of | | | | 5) How will the item be delivered to you? On |
| what brochures you are trying to obtain for | | | | auction sites especially, it is natural to go |
| your collection. | | | | for the cheapest posting method. However, if |
| | | | the item is being sent for the cost of the |
| Now for the fun bit! Starting, maintaining | | | | stamp, can you really expect anything more |
| and increasing your collection. | | | | than for it to be delivered in a flimsy |
| | | | envelope? Probably not. The only way that a |
| As you are collecting second-hand items, the | | | | collectable paper item should be sent is in a |
| condition of an item you are after can vary | | | | card-backed envelope preferably marked "do |
| dramatically. Also, it does not help that | | | | not bend" with the item wrapped in plastic to |
| sellers regularly either omit or misdescribe | | | | prevent water damage and a return address |
| items. | | | | inside, just in case the postal system loses |
| | | | it. I also insist on a proof of posting, |
| Therefore, it is paramount that you ask the | | | | again just in case the item goes missing. For |
| right questions and look for what the seller | | | | any item over a preset limit, in my case |
| hasn't said as much as what he has in his | | | | £30/$60, I offer to pay extra for recorded |
| advert description. | | | | delivery. Better safe than sorry. |
| | | | |
| Having been disappointed on more than a few | | | | If you get a satisfactory answer to the |
| occasions when a "pristine" item has arrived | | | | questions above, you will be as certain as |
| through my letterbox, I have a checklist that | | | | you can be that you will get the item and |
| I consult before committing to buying. The | | | | that it will be of a standard reflecting the |
| list is as follows: | | | | price you have paid. The list sounds a bit |
| | | | daunting, but essentially it boils down to |
| 1) What is the size of the item in | | | | ensuring you know what you are getting and |
| centimetres? Pictures can be deceptive and | | | | making sure it arrives in the same condition |
| what looks like a 21cm x 29cm item, may be | | | | with which it left the seller. |
| much smaller in size. | | | | |
| | | | Many is the time that I have received a |
| 2) How many pages long is it? Beware that on | | | | sodden envelope that contains a perfectly |
| smaller brochures, there can be confusion | | | | preserved item because I have insisted on it |
| between seller and buyer with what represents | | | | being wrapped in plastic. If the seller says, |
| a page. My firm only uses the term "pages" | | | | he does not normally do this, offer to pay |
| for items that are 6 pages long or more. | | | | extra for the service or if practical, |
| Otherwise, we use the term number of "sides". | | | | collect the item. If your seller cannot or |
| As a reputable seller, this avoids any | | | | will not take this care, may I suggest that |
| confusion and disappointment. | | | | you walk away and wait for another to turn |
| | | | up. |
| 3) What is the reference number of the | | | | |
| brochure? Most manufacturers have a code | | | | Please remember that for older brochures |
| system for their brochures that you will | | | | especially, a bit of fading and foxing and |
| become familiar with very quickly. By keeping | | | | the odd crease or small tear is perfectly |
| a note of the references, you will avoid | | | | acceptable. In fact, I prefer an item with a |
| duplicates in your collection. | | | | patina to an "as new" item as it seems to |
| | | | have more character. |
| 4) What is the condition of the brochure? | | | | |
| Amazingly, very few sellers have a condition | | | | Finally, unless it is extremely rare, I would |
| scale attached to the advert (we do). One | | | | avoid buying any incomplete, falling apart or |
| person's "pristine" may be fit only for the | | | | badly damaged brochures. On the whole, they |
| bin in other collectors eyes! I therefore | | | | have little or no value and it is best to |
| ignore vague words like the above and ask | | | | wait for a better one to be offered for sale. |
| direct questions - Has it any creases or | | | | |
| tears and if so how many and how bad? Any | | | | Next week, I will be discussing the correct |
| fading? Any foxing (A term used to describe | | | | way to store your collection. |
| stains, specks, spots and blotches in paper)? | | | | |