Consignment

As the largest and most active rare numismatic literature firm in the world, Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers routinely produces outstanding results for consignors around the world and our commission rates are among the most competitive in the field. Over the years we have handled thousands of important consignments from Europe, Asia and South America, and throughout North America. We average four sales per year and consignments are handled in a timely manner.

Not all numismatic books, sale catalogues, periodicals, and manuscripts are suitable for sale. Some items do not sell well, some are of insufficient value, and sometimes collections should be sold intact rather than broken up and sold individually. We are always happy to give advice concerning value and salability. Do not send any material before contacting us.

Contacting us for Purchase or Consignment

The simplest way for us to evaluate your collection for possible consignment or purchase is to receive photographs of your books' spines while still on their shelves. We can quickly determine if the collection would be appropriate for us to handle without you going to the trouble of making a list. Please send photographs to orders@numislit.com with a brief email about your interest in selling or consigning your collection.

How to Pack Books for Shipment

Books for consignment and resale must be received by us in salable condition. To get the most return from your investment, please pack your books with the care you would any fragile or irreplacable objects. Please follow our recommendations below.

1) Use strong, new boxes of a size only slightly larger than the books you will be packing in them. Use boxes specifically made for shipping, as moving boxes are often too weak to withstand the rough handling most shipments experience. Use double-walled cardboard boxes or shore up the sides with extra cardboard.

2) Pack books flat in box. Boxes will often be in large stacks in vans and in warehouses and can compress and crush books that are packed on their sides, breaking the binding.

3) Waterproof your books by wrapping them in plastic bags before adding packing material. Occasionally, shipments stand out in the rain or are dropped in puddles during shipment.

4) Fill boxes completely, filling all gaps with packing material like bubble wrap or tightly-packed newspaper. Often the boxes will be stacked and will compress in shipment.

5) Ship USPS Media Mail Insured, UPS or FedEx. All secondary market printed material may be shipped with USPS Media Mail, which is the least expensive method. For higher value books, you may want to insure them, send them Priority Mail or use UPS or FedEx. We have found that the least amount of time shipments stay in a shipping company's system, the less chance there is of damage or loss. The extra cost of shipment may just save your books.

Examples of what can happen during shipment: