Posted by Barbara Allen Ford on December 8, 2019, 11:22 am
My mother has a beautiful collection which, alas, we need to downsize. I've realized that the first step in doing so entails cataloging the collection. Presently, the items are not identified. I would like some advice on 1. Products which can be used to assign a unique number to each piece so as to be able to enter it into a data base. Something that is safe to glue/stick to the pottery that will not harm it. 2. A coding system that can be used to group and categorize pieces 3. Recommendations for a collections program. I have seen Recollector on-line. Does this program meet the needs for pottery? Is there another program which would be more useful. Thank you all for your help and advice. Later, I will be seeking advice on packing and shipping, but for now, I just need to get organized.
Re: Cataloging collection
Posted by George Wells on December 11, 2019, 9:35 pm, in reply to "Cataloging collection"
The most important part of cataloging a flow blue collection is obtaining an accurate identification of each piece. The cataloger must either recognize both patterns and functional forms or have access to sufficient reference material to accomplish this task. The second part of cataloging is the accurate assessment of the condition of each piece. This is absolutely essential if the sale of the collection is to be accomplished. If such a sale is to be conducted by an auction house or other unrelated entity, the assessment of condition may be left to that active seller (who assumes responsibility for the accuracy of their descriptions) but if you will be the seller, this responsibility will be yours. If you can't do this with some authority, you would need to employ someone who can.
Gently adhesive labels such as those affixed to items for sale are usually preferable, as they will usually remain in place (providing the target surface is clean) for as long as needed, and the numbering (or lettering, or a combination of the two) need only be exclusive to each piece. Note: restored surfaces may be damaged by the chemicals in glues. If a piece has a "refinished" surface, a tie-on label should be substituted for an adhesive one. As for software, an Excel spread sheet works fine. You can have as many different columns as you have need for types of information, and it can be completed with the addition of purchase and sale prices for your accounting at tax time if you bother to claim your gains and/or losses. I can't speak for "Recollector" as I have never had the need to look past Excel. Good Luck.