Buying by enquiry
Start with a clear email. Tell us what you are looking at or what you hope to find, then ask for the facts you need before you decide. Availability, price and terms are confirmed directly, not assumed from this website.
This website lets you browse guidance on antiques, collectibles and antique books, then prepare an email to [email protected]. That is the whole of the buying step here.
There is no online ordering, no basket, no reservation of items and no payment taken on this site. Nothing you read here confirms that a particular piece is available.
If you already have a particular item in mind, say what it is as exactly as you can: the object or title, any maker's name or mark you can read, and where you came across it. A photograph description or a short note on its size helps too.
If you are not yet looking at one piece, describe the interest instead. That might be a type of object, a period you enjoy, or a subject you collect in books. Add how you plan to use or display it, the space it must fit, and a budget only if you wish to share one.
Ask whether the item is currently available, and what the price is. Ask what evidence of condition can be shared, such as clear photographs of wear, repairs, missing parts or, for books, completeness and binding.
Ask too for the terms that apply to your purchase, including how payment, collection or delivery would be handled and what happens if something is not as described. Read the answers in writing and make your decision only once you are satisfied.
The example in the panel below is a hypothetical message showing how the pieces fit together: a clear subject, a description of the interest, your constraints and a short list of questions. It is not a real exchange and does not suggest any reply, offer or response time.
Choose the situation closest to yours, change the questions to suit and keep only what you want to ask.
Choose the situation nearest to your own. The sample message changes to match, and you can edit every line before you copy it or take it to your email application.
When you know the piece you mean, identify it first, then ask about its availability, price and the condition evidence behind it. Mention any marks or features you noticed.
Is this piece still available, what is the price, and can you share clear photographs of any wear, repairs or marks?
If you have no single piece in mind, describe the kind of object, where it will sit and an optional budget. Ask what might suit rather than asking for a specific price.
I am interested in small decorative objects for a shelf about 60 cm wide. What might be suitable, and how would I find out what is available?
For a book, give the title, author and edition if known, then ask about completeness, binding and any marks or repairs. Ask how condition would be described to you before you commit.
Is the book complete, what is the state of the binding and pages, and which edition is it?
Hypothetical wording, not a real exchange. Edit freely; nothing is sent or stored by this page.
Choose a situation and edit the sample, or copy it into your own email to [email protected].
Use the contact page to prepare your message. It builds the text on your own device and opens it in your email application addressed to [email protected]. If you prefer, write to that address directly.
The website never sends anything for you. You read the message, add attachments such as photographs if you wish, and press send yourself.
Vault & Vale / Enquiries
Prepare your message on the contact page, check it over and send it from your own email application. Availability, price and terms are confirmed with you directly before anything is agreed.
Prepare your enquiry ↗ [email protected]