Advice to the new political collector
For my first posting I would like to advise the new political collector of some things I have discovered over nearly twenty years of collecting.
The first impulse of the new collector is to buy every button one spots in a mall or flea market. You will quickly learn that you can't have it all, so it just makes sense to be selective. Most old time collectors will advise others to collect only what they love not what they think will be a good investment. I agree with this but in looking at buying collectibles in general, it makes more sense to purchase one $100 button that ten $1 buttons. Scarce and rare buttons tend to increase in value more dramatically that the more common buttons. The political hobby is rife with buttons made for the collectors rather than the campaign and these buttons will rarely appreciate in value.
My strongest advice is to buy every reference work you can afford. I also subscribe to many of the auction catalogs even though I haven't bid on anything in years. I study them frequently so I can familarize myself with the items being offered and the values. The most helpful reference that I have ever read in the hobby is Edmund Sullivan's book, Collecting Politcal Americana. I have read it many times and learn something new everytime. It contains a wealth of material. I try to carry my basic reference books in the car with me so that I'm never caught without them. Remember that it is your knowledge that gives you the edge in spotting valuable items and the smarter you get, the luckier you get.
Many collectors advise others to specialize in one candidate and indeed this is the best way to build a world class collection. I have always been very eclectic in my interests which means I will never have the most or the best of anything. However, one benefit of having a wide range of interests is that you run less risk of being disappointed by not being able to find something is your specialty and it keeps your interest in collecting fresh.
Once you become a collector, it becomes your responsiblity to preserve that part of history. Many historical items are ruined by improper cleaning or lack of attention as to how to store and display things. Paper items need to be kept in acid free holders and celluloids need to be kept in storage which protects them from extreme humidity or swings in temperature. Ryker mounts are preferable to the little plastic sleeves that can trap the moisture inside.
Ebay has expanded the horizens of all collectors, with a wider exposure to items but it has, at the same time, created a huge problem with fraud, with sellers, knowingly or unknowingly, selling bogus items. I have found that Ebay, despite it's pronouncements, is not seriously interested in dealing with the problem of fraud on their site. One is warned not to interfere with auctions by notifying bidders that they are bidding on a repro. I have heard of people in our hobby being suspended from Ebay for trying to educate sellers and warning bidders. It's best to be very careful when bidding on Ebay.
The best move for the political collector is to join APIC. You will be educated, make new friends, learn of shows and collectors in your area, and I know no other hobby that is more diligent in stressing and insisting on ethical behavior from its members. Generally speaking, when you buy from an APIC member you can be assured that you will get what you pay for. Well, that's all for today and thanks for listening.
The first impulse of the new collector is to buy every button one spots in a mall or flea market. You will quickly learn that you can't have it all, so it just makes sense to be selective. Most old time collectors will advise others to collect only what they love not what they think will be a good investment. I agree with this but in looking at buying collectibles in general, it makes more sense to purchase one $100 button that ten $1 buttons. Scarce and rare buttons tend to increase in value more dramatically that the more common buttons. The political hobby is rife with buttons made for the collectors rather than the campaign and these buttons will rarely appreciate in value.
My strongest advice is to buy every reference work you can afford. I also subscribe to many of the auction catalogs even though I haven't bid on anything in years. I study them frequently so I can familarize myself with the items being offered and the values. The most helpful reference that I have ever read in the hobby is Edmund Sullivan's book, Collecting Politcal Americana. I have read it many times and learn something new everytime. It contains a wealth of material. I try to carry my basic reference books in the car with me so that I'm never caught without them. Remember that it is your knowledge that gives you the edge in spotting valuable items and the smarter you get, the luckier you get.
Many collectors advise others to specialize in one candidate and indeed this is the best way to build a world class collection. I have always been very eclectic in my interests which means I will never have the most or the best of anything. However, one benefit of having a wide range of interests is that you run less risk of being disappointed by not being able to find something is your specialty and it keeps your interest in collecting fresh.
Once you become a collector, it becomes your responsiblity to preserve that part of history. Many historical items are ruined by improper cleaning or lack of attention as to how to store and display things. Paper items need to be kept in acid free holders and celluloids need to be kept in storage which protects them from extreme humidity or swings in temperature. Ryker mounts are preferable to the little plastic sleeves that can trap the moisture inside.
Ebay has expanded the horizens of all collectors, with a wider exposure to items but it has, at the same time, created a huge problem with fraud, with sellers, knowingly or unknowingly, selling bogus items. I have found that Ebay, despite it's pronouncements, is not seriously interested in dealing with the problem of fraud on their site. One is warned not to interfere with auctions by notifying bidders that they are bidding on a repro. I have heard of people in our hobby being suspended from Ebay for trying to educate sellers and warning bidders. It's best to be very careful when bidding on Ebay.
The best move for the political collector is to join APIC. You will be educated, make new friends, learn of shows and collectors in your area, and I know no other hobby that is more diligent in stressing and insisting on ethical behavior from its members. Generally speaking, when you buy from an APIC member you can be assured that you will get what you pay for. Well, that's all for today and thanks for listening.
posted by Peggy | 2:14 PM
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