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