don't forget Peter at MPE who does excellent auctions or Profiles in History who also does excellent auctions
Yeah, I knew about MPE, just couldn't think of it at the time!
I'm talking more about auction houses who regularly sell posters; for example, Profiles aren't like you guys.
Adam, out of curiosity how was Vectis set up? How many people worked for them? Was there one photographer, one doing the descriptions etc.
Vectis is the world's largest toy auction house so have the space and means to be a success at anything they put their hands to...or so you would think.
Vectis setup (forgetting the owner and his family) whilst I was there:
1) Manager.
2) Admin team consisting of three people; two dealt with enquiries etc, but one was responsible for marketing (bearing in mind they didn't know what they were doing), and a receptionist who is part-time.
3) One specialist typist for the cataloguing (as most of the guys use dictation machines).
The receptionist doubled up as a typist too.
4) One main photographer; a second who often helps and a third if need be.
5) The latter two photographers are the graphics guys who work on putting the catalogues and listings together for print and online.
6) The shipping team, some of whom at times, well, damaged the items (and most in there hated it when you tried to help).
7) The cataloguers themselves; anywhere between 6-9 individuals depending on the day and whether or not someone had left; each dedicated to specific areas such as Star Wars, dolls, teddy bears, James Bond toys, soldiers, tin plate, Matchbox, trains and general sales items.
Two little helpers, as they are called (who never owned up to any mistakes whilst I was there). I watched them, and some others in the company, damage items and none admitted to what they had done on a number of occasions - they never knew I was there because where my desk was, it was quite secluded.
Their own bidding software is diabolical. Like, really bad.
So if you see anything you like, you're best off bidding via Invaluable, telephone or in-person.