Label the Bottom? (1 Viewer)

[1879fanatic]

Just wondering...How do you guys ID soldiers out of the box...So you know what set they go to after a big diorama or photo shoot is over?. Do you put a label on the base with the set#. I am thinking of a Sharpie marker to write the set# in small print. Is this good or bad for future owners down the line? Any feedback is appreciated.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Mike

 

[Njja]

I keep a photo inventory of all my items. I ususally take several photos of any new items. One goes into my inventory file with a numerical ID usually set number. Additional photos go into a second inventory file set up to receive multiple pictures of the same item.

Makes it easy to identify items later, and list something if I choose to pass it to another collector.

 

[VanguardFC007]

I keep a photo inventory of all my items. I ususally take several photos of any new items. One goes into my inventory file with a numerical ID usually set number. Additional photos go into a second inventory file set up to receive multiple pictures of the same item.

Makes it easy to identify items later, and list something if I choose to pass it to another collector.

I like that idea. Ive been thinking about doing this for some time now. Your idea might be a bit time consuming right off the bat but Im sure it would pay off in the long run.

Harris

 

[theBaron]

Sharpie's not a bad idea, but for those who are squeamish about marking your figures in any way, and possibly affecting future resale value (shame on you!), there are gummed labels that are relatively inexpensive, small, price-tag-sized labels, that can serve the purpose, too.

For my figures, I print "labels" in Word, then cut them out and glue them to the bases with white glue. I include the country, rank and unit the figure represents. I was painting that under the bases, but I had a Monk moment, and it just wasn't neat enough to do it that way.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Deitz]

I have those little white stickers squares that you write prices on for garage sales, I just put the set number on it. I picked up a packet at Office Depot. The sticker does not leave a residue on the bottom of the figure.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Writing on the bases will definitely decrease the value Mike. Once mine are out of the boxes they are out of the boxes so it has never been an issue for me.

What you could do though is maybe find pics of your sets on the net and then just save them in a folder if you have to many sets to photograph. That is what I have done with the new WB Zulu series.

 

[1879fanatic]

Rapid Respose Unit members,
Thanks for the ideas. My problem with the sticker is that they don't allow the figures to stay put on grass/terrain and the residue picks up flocking to no end. I started taking pictures and when I change computers with the flash drive, I end up with multiple un-updated folders. I think what I will do, since I work off 3 different comuters, I'll keep a master flash drive that stays on my person at all times, with it handcuffed to my wrist, excepting showers
No more Monk moments for anyone please, there's medication for that!
Mike

 

[4th Hussar]

I use the small labels but you need to know that the glue is similar to that on sticky notes. It dries out and loses its adhesive quality

 

[Alexdakar]

I keep a spreadsheet with item number, description, picture, etc. At the bottom you will see tabs of the different series that I collect.

 

[Njja]

I like that idea. Ive been thinking about doing this for some time now. Your idea might be a bit time consuming right off the bat but Im sure it would pay off in the long run.

Harris

Harris:

Once you get started its really quite easy. I use a digital Nikon Camera so I might shoot 50 pictures at a time, download them (takes maybe 2 minutes) I choose the best ones and dump them in the files. Maybe 1/2 hour tops.

I also use this system to keep my prices, all items are listed as photos with item number and price realized. When I'm checking a price I can see photos of all the items that have sold and prices they brought in a minute.

Easy to sort and maintain files.

 

[theBaron]

I like Alex' and Dave's methods, too, especially because they're homemade solutions, and there is software out there for cataloging your collection, and I hate the idea of buying something that we can do ourselves.

 

[1879fanatic]

Alex,
Now that is a fantastic idea for Excel. I can put the pictures into the spreadsheet and catalog it that way. What I was doing was just via set# on the picture. My issue with collecting Trophy of Wales, Steadfast, Under Two Flags, Bastion, Seamus Wade,etc... is that there are not only no stock photos of sets just lying around, the sets themselves actually varied in a lot of cases. But, hey, I'm not complaining, this is part of what is so enjoyable about collecting toy soldiers. Love the tips and inspiration that you guys so readily provide a fellow collector. Thanks so much.
Mike

 

[Spitfrnd]

I keep a spreadsheet with item number, description, picture, etc. At the bottom you will see tabs of the different series that I collect.

That is a pretty cool ideal Alex. I didn't know you could paste photos in excel cells. As to decreasing the value by writing on the bottom of a base with a sharpie, good lord, please let me know where I can find some sharpie price reduced Napoleonics.

 

[PanzerIII]

I keep a spreadsheet with item number, description, picture, etc. At the bottom you will see tabs of the different series that I collect.

Whauu Alex, what a great idea.
I just tryed to do it in EXCEL and it is very easy and looks great. Thanks for the idea.