Category: Letterpress for beginners
Later topic: letterpress classes in London
Earlier topic: Die Cutting on a proofing press

Should I break up a set of type?

Hi -
I’m new to this site and hope I’m posting this question in the correct place.

I am a ‘general-lines’ antiques & collectibles dealer and I recently re-discovered a box of type from an estate that I handled about 12 or 15 years ago.

At any rate, there were quite a few advertisements, made by attaching metal plates to wood blocks (what is the correct name of those graphic ads?) I am stumped on an interesting set in a tiny box (I’m not sure if it is a complete set). The box is labeled: “The Kelsey Company, Meriden Connecticut U.S.A.”, and typed on the printed label is: “Handi-Cut Set No. 114”. There are about 35 individual pieces and they have Fraternal Organization logos on them, e.g. Knights of Columbus, Shriners, BPOE Elks, etc. There are 9 different organizations represented.

My first thought was to break up the set so people interested in only 1 organization could purchase the pieces from that one group. However, as I look around and try to find info on this set (or any set by any company that isn’t strictly lettering), I’m beginning to have second thoughts. I think it might have an historical value as an identified set due to the box information, because I can’t find anything like it anywhere on the net. I may be looking in the wrong places, but so far, no luck.

I don’t want to do a disservice to collectors who specialize in this area by breaking up the set. Do you have any thoughts to share about this dilemma? Is it rare to find an identified set like this?

I really appreciate your time and hope you can offer some insight. Thank you!
Anita

image: p11a.jpg

p11a.jpg

Log in to reply   5 replies so far

You would probably get a better price for the set, than for individual pieces. There isn’t much call for fraternal printing these days, but a collector might like to have the whole set.

Paul

Paul answered your question as far as how to sell these items. In searching the internet look for “Handy Boxes” fraternal organizations. No, it is not a rare set.

Thank you both so much for your thoughts and suggestions! I appreciate your time and expertise.

:)

Enjoy your evening!
Anita

My compliments to you, Anita, for asking the question. Too many dealers break things apart that should stay together. Once I was looking on eBay for things with the initials “SB.” I found a lovely little gold football medal from 1908, and then noticed that the same seller had two more won by the same player in other years. Even though I wanted only one, I laid out more than I had budgeted and bought all three since it just didn’t seem right to break up Mr. SB’s medals after all those years.

Barbara

Hi Barbara-
Thank you for your comments. I often cringe at the thought of people dividing a set of something to make it more salable or to maximize profit.

I figure that I am a temporary steward of a piece of history, making no difference if it is in my collection or offered for sale. I can only hope the next owner will feel that way about these lovely old things and the history they carry with them! :)

I’m pleased you were able to rescue/keep together the 3 medals. It must have been satisfying to do that!

Thanks again for the encouragement. :) Enjoy your afternoon!
Anita