First-time Consignor Checklist

If you are starting your journey as a first-time consignor or if you have inherited a collection you need to sell, use this checklist from the experts at Heritage Auctions.

Below you will find resources for the first-time consignor. Heritage Auctions recommends completing this checklist before you consign for a smooth selling process. You will learn the right questions to ask our experts and understand the auction process to get the most for your collection.

Things to check before you consign

Safety

Make sure your collection is securely stored by yourself or a third-party storage company.

Heritage Auctions is also offering storage services for their clients.

Care

Know what temperature and humidity is best for storage and how to clean items if needed.

Note: Some items don't need any cleaning, because it will lower their quality.

Inventory

When you are planning to auction items it is important to have a list of all items. It is easier to review them all at once as we could see if some items could be bundled.

Description

Knowing the exact name, year, and condition of your items will help you describe the item to our experts during the initial interaction. A poor description may set the wrong expectations.

Records

Make sure you find or obtain information regarding the past or current value, as well as grade or authenticity of an item.

Note: Not all items need to be graded, appraised or authenticated.

What to expect from the consignment process

An appointment to allow sufficient time to evaluate your collection.
Recommendations on which collectibles are better suited for an auction or direct sale.
Professional treatment, and high-level security and confidentiality.
Prompt payments on the settlement date as promised.

Take the Consignment-to-Settlement journey to understand each step.

Start Journey

Research tools

Our team suggests you search our auction archives before inquiring about your item. With more than 5 million past sales in our free online auction archives, chances are we have sold the same or a similar item in the past. When researching our archives, please pay attention to the year of the sale, condition of the item, and full description to see if it matches yours.

Note: a similar item doesn't necessarily mean that your item will sell for the same amount. Even the slightest difference may result in a completely different outcome, making your item more or less valuable.

Expert value guides

Our extensive library of expert value guides provides a clear understanding of your items' value.

Permanent auction archives

Search and browse through millions of auction archives to determine demand and value.

Search auction archives

Need more research tools?

Read more about the documentation, safeguarding, evaluation, selling, tax planning and strategy, and estate advice for collectors and their heirs in our Collector's Handbook.

The Collectors Handbook is a definitive guide to collecting!

Download your Free Copy

Get started with these helpful resources

Art Resources Coin Resources Comic Resources Entertainment and Multimedia Resources Historical Collectible Resources Jewelry, Timepieces, & Luxury Accessories Resources Collectibles & Art Resouces Domain Names & Intellectual Property Resources Property Resources Sports Collectible Resources Fine & Rare Wine Resources Meet our Experts Get a Free Auction Evaluation Client Testimonials How to Pack and Ship Your Collectibles Research Auction Archives All About Heritage Auctions Appraisal Services Glossary of Terms

Heritage Auctions, the world's largest collectibles auctioneer, is where passion meets expertise. With industry-leading specialists and global reach, we help collectors understand what makes their items valuable and as the best place to sell fine art and collectibles, we help sellers achieve the highest prices at auction.