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Buy & Sell
Grading
I use the following standards in describing the condition
of a print. Please use these same standards in describing your prints. Of course, grading is always subjective but the intent should always be to most fairly represent the condition of the print. No grading is done
for Spec Cards and Intro Letters, if necessary, their particular condition is simply described.
EXCELLENT
The print, both front and back, is clean and completely free
from spots, stains, rips, tears or any surface blemishes. It may have some very minor creasing or
bending only at the corners. It shows no
signs of yellowing. Very few prints are
rated Excellent.
GOOD
The print, both front and back, is clean and free from
stains, rips, tears and similar surface imperfections. It may have only a couple very minor
spots. It may have minor edge creasing or
bending at the corners. It may show
minor signs of overall yellowing or small areas of minor yellowing.
FAIR
The print, both front and back, is clean and free from rips,
tears and similar surface imperfections.
It may have minor spots or stains.
It may have edge creasing or bending at the corners. It may show signs of overall yellowing or
small areas or bands of yellowing. Most
prints fall into this category.
POOR
The print, both front and back, is generally free from rips
and tears. It may have numerous spots
or stains. It may have significant
creasing or bending at the corners. It
may show significant overall yellowing or large areas or bands of significant
yellowing yellowing. It may show signs
of water damage or other damage. It may
have areas of surface thinning where tape or adhesive was removed.
Notes:
For me, as a collector, the following conditions are "deal breakers", and
therefore as a rule, I don’t buy prints that have them: The print has been cut down to 8x10, has tack or
pin holes at edges, has been laminated or is stuck to some backer board, has the Spec Card taped or glued to the back (or the front) of the print.
If you've just started collecting you might ask, Why buy a print that is in Poor or Fair condition? The answer is that it's a cheap and quick way to build your collection, at least initially. And sometimes it's an easy way to pick-up needed cards and letters. In time, you can replace your lesser quality prints.
The above grading system is really set up for the collector. Although not rewarded in this grading system, one could argue that normal yellowing due to aging is an attractive feature of an older art print - I wholeheartedly agree. When acting as a designer, I often seek prints that offer the "aged" look that comes with some fading. With the right matte and frame, such prints can look great! So, if you are not a collector and just buying some prints to frame let me know, and I'll tell you how a particular print will "frame-up".
If You Want to Buy....
I have almost every print in the series available for purchase. Many come with cards and letters. I identify prints by the aircraft name on the print and the copyright date at the bottom left hand corner. I designate a quality condition for each print based on the Grading standards described above. You can refer to The Prints page for a visual of each print. If you want a particular print or group of prints Contact me and I'll tell you what I have and the costs. You can also find individual prints that I have for sale in my Etsy shop CappysAttic.
If You Want to Sell....
Here's a list of prints I'm looking for. But I'm only interested in these if they are in Excellent or near Excellent condition. Please determine the condition of your prints based on the grading system above. Contact me with any questions and we'll work out the details. Be sure to indicate the Print Names and Copyright Dates. Here's what I need:
Print/Specific Copyright Date
#2 Ryan M-1 1977
#6 Boeing 221A Monomail 1977,1979
#7 Boeing 247-D 1977
#8 Douglas DC-3 1978,1980
#11 Convair 340 1979
#13 Boeing Stratocruiser 1976,1979
#15 Curtiss Falcon 1978
#17 Stearman M-2 Speedmail 1979
#23 Breese 5 1979
Print/Any Copyright Date
#20 Waco Taperwing 10T
#22 Boeing 95
#25 Travel Air BM-4000
#28 Lockheed L-049 Constellation
#29 Stearman C-3B
#30 Douglas DC-6
#31 Ford 4-AT
#32 DeHavilland DH-4BA
#33 Douglas DC-7
#34 Fokker F-TEN-A
#35 Sud Caravelle
