As the field of insulator collecting grows, so also will grow the number and frequency of insulator auctions. This writer feels that now is the time to provide some firm rules concerning these auctions. I am sure that some of the insulator collectors who read this are former coin collectors and some may remember some of the evils that were perpetrated under the term 'coin auction." The coin hobby eventually was forced to set down some hard and fast rules governing these sales and all the major publications in the coin field accepted and used them. Here then, is a proposed list of rules for the insulator hobby. It is hoped that some of the readers would comment on this list and make suggestions or corrections.

1. That the term mail bid sale be substituted of the word 'auction' unless there is an actual floor sale that takes place at a specified time at a specified place in conjunction with the mail sale.

2. That a specified time be set during which bids will be accepted: for example, two weeks from the date of the publication the sale is listed in.

3. That all lots be faithfully catalogued as to nicks, dings, scratches, chips, flakes, whether dug or cloudy, etc.

4. That some sort of "suggested value" be listed for each item based on the sellers experience and knowledge. (This "suggested value" need not be absolute but will serve as a guide for inexperienced bidders.)

5. That a copy of the "prices realized" be furnished to each bidder for a nominal sum of $.50 or $1.00. (This will serve a twofold purpose: not only will it indicate to the bidder how to mark his bids at any future sales, but it will also serve the hobby greatly by helping to establish "catalog values" for some insulators.) The truest value of any item is what it actually sells for.

6. That the seller guarantee that each lot is one of a kind and that only the high bidder will receive the lot. (If the seller has more than one of an item he can set up duplicate lots).

7. That the buyer be required to pay postage and insurance before shipment of successful bids but that the seller refund all excess postage.

8. That a certain period of time--say, 7 days--be given for the return of unsatisfactory items by the bidder for complete refund.

9. That "unlimited bids" not be accepted

I was prompted to draw up this suggested list of rules by an experience I had with a large Eastern insulator dealer last winter. This company occasionally listed insulator "auctions" in the hobby papers. I submitted a few nominal bids on one of their sales and asked if copy of prices realized would be available. In due time, I received a letter notifying me that I had been successful on one lot (approx. $5) and would I submit a check to cover bid, postage, and insurance. I did so but did not receive any prices realized list with the insulator. After a couple of months, another "auction" was listed. I sent in a few more bids and this time I enclosed a dollar bill and a note asking for a list of prices realized. About a week before the closing date of the ''auction, " I received a letter from the company informing that my bids were too low and that there was still time to raise them if I wanted any of the lots -- how's that for ethics? I declined to raise any of my bids and was, of course, unsuccessful. When another auction was listed sometime later, I again submitted bids and again enclosed a dollar bill for a copy of the prices realized. At the conclusion of the "auction" I received a note telling me that I had been a successful bidder on one lot (approx. $2.25) and would I send payment for bid, postage and insurance. Enclosed with this note was a list of insulators for sale at fixed prices.

I sent the check and enclosed a rather huffy letter explaining the difference between prices realized and price lists. I also indicated that I had some doubts as to their integrity where "auctions" were concerned. In due time, I received my check back. Also enclosed was a dollar bill stapled to a file card and a note informing me that henceforth my bids were unwanted. They told me that they had sent my requested prices realized list to a bidder in Kansas with the same surname. They also told me that they were not sending me my successful bid and that they were pulling my card from their files. Needless to say, I have not done any more bidding on their "auctions."

I tell this story now not to point the finger of blame at the company but rather to support my claim that rules are needed for the protection of both the buyer and the seller. I would like to see a uniform set of rules adopted for all auctions and by all the major publications in the antique field. That way all advertisers would thus be required to adhere to the same rules.