| Currently most collectable royals are British (especially | | | | * Opt for products with double collector appeal, such |
| Victoria, Diana, Elizabeth II), Russian (especially Nicholas | | | | as a figurine of Queen Victoria from a popular |
| II and Alexandra), alongside royals from really small | | | | manufacturer; a picture depicting and hand signed by a |
| countries such as Monaco and Siam (Thailand). | | | | favourite royal, and so on. This double appeal, to say |
| Memorabilia depicting royals with a sad or notorious | | | | royal collector and pottery / autograph enthusiast |
| history is especially collectible, such as a hand signed | | | | raises buyer interest across a range of eBay |
| portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Edward | | | | categories and usually leads to higher bidder numbers |
| and Mrs. Simpson), which was valued £100 at | | | | and higher finishing prices. |
| my local auction house but actually made over | | | | * Check potential bidder keywords as recommended |
| £900. With just two people bidding, that item | | | | earlier, and also search past completed auctions, look |
| may have sold for less than £100 had one or | | | | at the highest finishing prices for items such as you are |
| other bidder been absent on the day, and could have | | | | selling. Do this by clicking on 'Advanced Search' on |
| fetched fabulous profits had the item been offered to | | | | eBay's home page, next page key in a description of |
| countless worldwide collectors on eBay. Here are | | | | your product, tick the box 'Completed Auctions Only', |
| more tips to help you make good profits selling royal | | | | next page choose 'Price; Highest First', next page begin |
| memorabilia at auction: | | | | searching for items similar to whatever you are selling. |
| * Most regional auction houses, outside the main towns | | | | Check highest prices, study words used in titles and |
| and cities, very rarely attract high interest from major | | | | descriptions, check starting and reserve prices, |
| bidders commonly found at big city auction houses like | | | | category used, and so on. Model your eBay listings on |
| Christie's and Phillips. This means it's often very easy | | | | the best of other people's high profit sales. |
| to pick up bargains aplenty at local sales which are | | | | * Be careful choosing an appropriate category for |
| poorly advertised, hosted way out in the country well | | | | your listing. For royal souvenirs there are many to |
| away from major airports and railway stations, and | | | | choose from, depending on collecting interests depicted |
| rarely attract major big spending clientele. If the | | | | in your item. A stamp bearing Diana's image, for |
| weather's bad on the day or England's playing in the | | | | example, might fit equally well under 'Stamps > |
| World Cup expect even few people turning up on the | | | | various sub-categories' as under Collectables > |
| day and many more bargains possible. You have to | | | | Memorabilia > Royalty. Check out the article included |
| turn up, of course! | | | | later from royal memorabilia specialist Frank Lomax for |
| * Regarding condition, it's important to favour buying | | | | expert advice on where and how to list your royal |
| items in good condition over dirty or damaged pieces, | | | | items. |
| unless the item can be cleaned or repaired with | | | | * The really good news is, when you find one old |
| causing further distress. Paper is notoriously difficult to | | | | photograph, postcard, book or other small royal |
| clean and it is better to list and sell items with faults | | | | collectable at boot sales or flea market, you'll almost |
| than to clean them beforehand and risk damaging a | | | | always find a big bundle. This is because most |
| potentially valuable piece. You should point out all faults | | | | collectors have several items of their special interest |
| and marks, illustrate them if possible, and you can | | | | and, when those people die or give up collecting, the |
| indicate that cleaning or repair can be handled by an | | | | whole lot appears on the market together. |
| experienced professional. | | | | |