Stuart Turnbull's Blog

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eBay Newsletter: Source Revealed!

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A question I am often asked is:

“Won’t the market become saturated if everybody starts selling prints?”

Today I am going to put my money where my mouth is and prove to you that this isn’t an issue by revealing one of my own closely guarded vintage print sources.

I have always kept this information to myself (I don’t even reveal the source publications to my buyers in my auction descriptions) until now!

Firstly I will show you a couple of my own recent print sales then I will show you exactly where to find the very same prints!

Click pictures to enlarge

These prints are from a very famous book entitled “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell.

This book was first published in 1877 just 5 months before the author’s death. Since then it has been republished in countless different editions and formats and with 50 million copies sold it is one of the best selling books of all time!

The edition that I look out for was published by Jarrolds in 1930 and was illustrated by the famous sporting artist Cecil Aldin.

I have purchased multiple copies of this book over the years on both Addall.com and eBay and Cecil Aldin’s beautiful illustrations of horses are as popular today as they were when I first discovered them back in 2004.

This is a screenshot of the search criteria I run to locate the book on Addall.com:

The best value copy currently listed:

Click pictures to enlarge

The book contains 18 colored plates by Aldin

I always sell these plates matted, my mat kit supplier is Kadinsky.co.uk
(I recommend bux1picturematting.com if you are in the US)

Please note that these are not affiliate links, my recommendations are based purely on my personal experience of purchasing from both companies.

10×8 inch mat kits (mat, back board and cellophane bag) cost me $1.21 each (I buy these in packs of 25) and my only other cost is rigid envelopes which cost me 37 cents each (sold in boxes of 125).

So the full breakdown of my costs are:

Cost per plate ($20.98 divided by 18) $1.16
.
Mat kit $1.21
.
Envelope $0.37
.
Total cost $2.74
.
The average sale price is $23.00
.
Less eBay and PayPal fees $3.45
.
Total sale proceeds $19.55
.
Less costs $2.74
.
Net profit $16.81

which gives a potential profit of $302.58 for the whole book*

*this calculation is based on all 18 plates achieving a similar final value.

Of course there is more to making money with vintage prints than simply sourcing the right books, you also have to list them in the right way.

You need to choose the right category(s), compose a keyword rich title, include eye catching images, write a compelling description.

Then you have to decide the best start price, whether you are going to accept returns and if so on what terms, whether to sell internationally etc.

With so many of these books in circulation obviously there are lots of other sellers selling these very same prints on eBay. The key to successfully outselling the competition is to differentiate your listings from the others and these are the skills I teach in my ebook Prints Make Profits

Using dozens of screenshot examples from eBay and Addall.com I demonstrate how to research and identify your own sought after print niches.

Having learned WHAT to sell you then learn HOW to set your listings apart from those of the competition and sell for maximum profits, there is even a fully illustrated guide to matting your prints to a professional standard!

Prints Make Profits normally retails at $27 but you can get a huge 37%  subscriber discount if you buy today through this link:

Prints Make Profits subscriber discount!

As an extra leg up to help you get started in this lucrative and fun eBay biz I will send one lucky reader a selection of prints from Black Beauty plus custom cut mat kits and rigid envelopes, in fact everything you need to start selling them on eBay.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning the package is to leave a comment or question on this post by clicking the “leave a comment” link at the top or bottom of the page, I will choose one commenter at random and they will receive the package.

This offer is now closed, to be kept in the loop with more great money making ideas sign up to my blog using the opt-in form below!

 

Best of Luck!

 

 

 




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Comments

  2. I’ve never taken the “plunge”, but I find this all very intrigueing ! Will have to try it out !

    Thanks for all the help !

    Tom

  3. Hi Stuart,
    Have literally just downloaded PFP3 and am looking forward to finding out if it measures up to the many favourable reports it has had.

    As a pensioner, I’m hoping that this purchase will help me supplement my pension, so fingers crossed!!

    Best wishes

    Michael

  5. Hi Stuart,

    Another great idea – thanks for sharing it! I was re-reading Print for Profit yesterday – I do that for inspiration 🙂 and I decided to try yet another approach. I headed over to archive.org and began doing searches for public domain books that had prints similar to those selling on e-bay. Now I will also look for popular public domain story books. This is really fun!

  6. Stuart,
    thanks for revealing your source for something that has been making you money! I have bought all your products except for the latest business in a box offerings…..and I have been buying a few books. It’s only today though that I am heading in to town to buy a scanner so I can get some listings. I tried using a camera but the quality isn’t there.

    The question that has always been on the back of my mind is wondering how many people are on your list, and as a result, how many people will be searching for the same books as we will all be using the same guidelines. For an example, how difficult will it be for you to obtain Black Beauty now that we all know about it…..or do you believe there are enough copies for everyone and enough buyers?

    Personally the tactic I decided to use was to buy as soon as I could based on the research and availability, but to hold off listing for a couple of months so that if your list have all found the book and post immediately, that I can wait for the sales to die down. Does that make sense based on your past experience and feedback from your list?

    • Thanks for your question, Ruth!

      I chose Black Beauty for this post precisely because it is such a popular and widely available book. I want to demonstrate that you can make money despite the competition if you do things the right way.

      If you search eBay under the key words “Cecil Aldin” and “Black Beauty” you will see lots of other sellers trying to sell (mostly unsuccessfully) the very same book plates that I sell so profitably from this book.

      In this case it is all about HOW you sell and not so much WHAT you sell.

      Don’t ever let competition put you off, use it to inspire you to be the best.

  7. Hi Stuart!
    I just finished watching your videos from Print Sorcery. My questions were answered…and you make it look soooooo easy! I can’t wait to actually get
    started. I’ll let you know when I make my first sale:)

  8. Stuart,

    Super, super helpful information. Thank you very much. I’d love to dip my toe into this market, but I still find it intimidating. Your post is helpful.

    Thanks,

    Jon

  9. Hi Stuart, I have read your prints make profits and hopefully next time your course comes up I can enroll. I am from Sydney , Australia and was wanting to know of anywhere to get the Matt supplies etc , also shipping here is also expensive, do you have any suggestions , as this looks more like fun than work ,I can see why so many want to learn.

  10. Hi Stuart, my wife has just joimed me in retirement and I have been looking for something that we can work on together, I have previouly bought Prints Make Profits and Print Sorcery but never got very far with it. I have invested in your Prints Make Profits Workshop and am egarly awaiting its arrival. I am sure it will provide not only the guidance I need but also the accountability to get it done.

    Thanks,
    Morris

  11. I subscribe to a few eBay related newsletters. I can honestly say that yours is the only one that I open every time I get a new one. I’ve learned a lot from the info you’ve giving out over the e-books and e-mails.
    Currently I’m enjoying finding cool old books and resourcing them out for sale one print at a time. It’s fun to see all the different styles and designs that have been published over the years, plus who buys them and where they at mailed. I’ve already turned a handsome profit from your advice.
    Thank you so much! I’ll defiantly be looking for more.

  12. Hello Stuart,
    Thank you for this great advice and for teaching us step by step. You continue to give awesome and actionable information, which is another reason why I am still a subscriber, also your ethical standards are refreshing to say the least.
    Kind regards,

    Rene

  13. Stuart love all the info you send in the newsletters. I have bought Prints Make Profits and Prints Sorcery. Haven’t tried to sell any prints yet, but hope to soon. Had a book but it was musty and you said not to use it. Sure wish I could have used it because of the pictures it had.
    Thank you for all the great info you give us. I have learned so much. I hope I am a winner.

    Thanks,
    Carol

  14. Hi Stuart;
    Have purchased your product on the Prints sites. Not started as of yet. One question I have, may sound stupid, [i know there are no stupid questions] how to differ between print plates and a picture??? Thanks in advance.

    Rave

    • Thanks for your question, Rave!

      The term “plate” refers to full page illustrations typically in older books that have been created using one of various different traditional printing methods such as lithography, engraving etc.

      Because of the method of production each plate is an original work of art in its own right and is therefore valued by collectors.

      The term “picture” can refer to modern illustrations or even photographs which are created in a completely different way (this doesn’t mean they are without value but they don’t have the original art work qualities of plates)

  15. Hi Stuart-

    Great post! I was just wondering…Will he ever come out with a product that is detailed on how he researches a book to buy for prints to sell. Although, you gave us the ‘end’ results, to know how you arrived to the ‘end’ product would be awesome. I have been with you since day 1 of ‘Prints Make Profits’, and that is MY most difficult task…Even though I am a member of your workshop, and I can ask detailed questions, it would be great to have such knowledge.

    Since joining with you and Deb, I have learned so much, I want to thank both of you for an exciting little income stream that is just plain fun!
    antique_paper
    Bob

  16. Hey Stuart,

    I have read Prints Make Profit (and loved it) and your blog is one of the few I read regularly. Thanks for all the great ideas.

    Vicki

  17. Hi Stuart, I have been a follower of Debra for ages and purchased Prints Make Profit a couple of weeks ago. I am 70 and am finding the pension is barely enough to pay for food and medicine let alone car, mortgage etc. etc. As I love art & craft and continue to teach craft from my home to make some extra money I thought this selling prints idea would be an ideal avenue to pursue. I have studied the book and been to all the art & craft stores I can find and all they sell are art canvas pre-stretched so what can I use as a mat? Also the Post Office don’t know what I’m talking about when I asked them about rigid mailers. Look forward to hearing from you Regards Sylvia

  18. Hi Stuart,
    I’m a new “disciple” of yours! Thanks for all the genuinely helpful info in your book, and inspiring emails. I love old prints, and now have great reasons to keep shopping and selling. I’d love a chance at your “give away.” Cheers! Laurie

  19. Hi Stuart,
    Thanks for the info. I have purchase my first book and removed the prints. It’s not a super one but Hulme, Butterflies and Moths of the Countryside. It was within my budget to begin and the Wildflowers he has done were a little out of my league. I have yet to post them but am planning on putting the plates on a cd. for crafters and jewelry makers to use for their craft.
    Saw Black Beauty and almost purchased one but was not sure. Would love to have it!
    Thanks for your inspiration. I have all of your books.
    Barb

  20. Hi Stuart
    More great info, I’ve been following your Prints Make Profits books and courses since the beginning and every so often get a book to sell the prints from so I’ll be looking into this area as well.
    cheers
    Steve.

  21. Hi Stuart,

    Great post. I have been following your courses and will be listing my first prints this week. Do you have any recommendations for dealing with the books that remain when the prints are removed? Do you re-sell them as they are or are there other ways of making extra income from them?

    Also, I was wondering if anyone has come across any mat kit suppliers in Australia (I’m in Melbourne).

    Cheers,
    Andrew

    • Do keep hold of all of the “left-overs”, Andrew – the book covers, text pages, end papers etc.

      And look out for our brand new information product that teaches the many lucrative and imaginative ways to use these bits (I promise you’ll be amazed!).

      I have spoken to one of my Australian subscribers who told me he shops around online for his mat supplies.

  23. Hi stuart
    When you mount the black beauty prints do you leave the titles in. cheers Adam

    • Thanks for your question Adam!

      No, I mat right up to the image so the title is hidden.

      Sometimes titles add to the images but in this case they are simply quotations from the story so I prefer to cover them and focus attention on the art work

  24. I find this idea of mounting prints fascinating. I sell more modern books and have not sourced a antiquarian book yet. I was reading about a book show in Boston and one seller was talking about bringing printed pictures from antiquarian books framed to the show since they did so well the year before. I thought there really is something to this. People want beautiful pictures preserved to enjoy even if the come from old books.

  25. Hi Stuart,

    I purchased “Pints Make Profits” and am looking forward to using your information. So far I’m only checking local sources for prints – some look promising.

    Please consider me for giveaway of the Black Beauty prints.

    Thanks and best regards,

    Ann

  26. Thanks so much for this motivational post! I bought Prints Make Profits and vowed to get going last year. However, my circumstances changed, and I was unable to pursue things at the time. Now, once again, I’m raring to go and this post has given me the push I need!! Thankyou so much, I’m looking forward to getting started.

  27. hi stuart, i been your subcriber for a while now and love to see your newsletters to find any money making opportunities that u want to share with us which is good of you and i love this new information about the 1930 black beauty book and would love to be a winner for this book and i look forward to learn more about vintage prints to sell on ebay for good profit and i believe this is an eye opener to make us an extra income in the long run thanks for sharing this

  28. Hi Stuart,

    Good post mate. I will be looking into that in due course. I have only put one print on ebay, trying to sell one to give myself a rough idea on how much I’ll get. Will get them all on soon, probably for the best and see what happens from there.

    Kind of you to give another prize away so soon after your last one. An excellent prize indeed. Talk soon. Off to pack some more stuff. Not quite got a date for the move yet but nothing like being ready for it.

    Talk soon mate.

    Regards

    Donald

  29. Hi Stuart,
    I have purchased `Prints Make Profits`and ` Print Sorcery`but have not got around
    to getting started,this newsletter has given me the kick up the backside I needed.
    Thanks
    Brian

  30. I am just starting, and have a lot to learn. Your news letter as well as Prints Make Profits has been so helpful. I am realizing that there are loads of places to find prints, if your eyes are open! Hopefully I will start posting some prints soon. Thank You.

  31. Thanks for the great post! I will be printing it out and adding it to my collection of prints make profits folder as well. I purchased your print sorcery and prints make profits, as well as the guides, and they have really opened my eyes to the opportunities. I have taken some time and done some research, and I’m waiting to get some free funds to purchase my first print book, should be sometime in February. I do have one quick question – may I email you directly? Thank you for all that you do to help us newbies!

  32. I have bought your Print Sorcery and prints for profit book but never got started. The example of Black Beauty has given me the courage to give it a try. I have never bought or sold anything on eBay but am going to give this a try. I ordered a copy of the book. Wish me luck.

  33. Thank you for the info and the opportunity to get a free set of prints. I have wanted to get started in selling prints but just have not been sure what book to get. Thanks for this opportunity!
    Thanks,
    Rachel

  34. Hi Stuart:

    I sell used books through Amazon, et al, and I am looking for something else to market. My question is can someone with little artistic skills learn how to mount pictures on a mat kit. Also how much time, on average, is required to place a mat on a picture?

    Look forward to your answer.

    Sincerely,

    John Kent.

    • Thanks for your question, John!

      “someone with little artistic skills” describes me perfectly!

      Matting/mounting prints is a lot easier to do than it looks.

      I provide a step by step guide with photographs of myself matting a print in the Prints Make Profits ebook.

      I promise you that anyone can produce professional looking results with very little practice and once mastered the process takes maybe 5 minutes per print.

  35. I would love to know if you suggest selling all prints matted? I am just getting started and am on a very, very limited budget so anything I don’t HAVE to buy, I won’t right now. Thanks for all you info you share! Would love to win the kit!

    • Thanks for your comment, Dana!

      I recommend that everyone gets started as cheaply and as simply as possible.

      Many of the successful print sellers I research on eBay simply sell un-matted prints.

      I do find that matting adds value and also helps differentiate your items from the competition but wait until you have regular money coming in before investing.

  36. Purchased Prints Make Profits last year. Haven’t incorporated myself but will be passing the info to my adult son who was just diagnosed with an illness that leaves him physically unable to work full time outside the home. This is absolutely perfect for him as everything can be done by mail & online and he won’t suffer a major loss to his income. Thanks so much for sharing so unselfishly. It will have a positive impact on my family.

  37. Hi Stuart,
    Great post today as always. My problem is when every i get great prints, I like them so much, I don’t want to sell them. Now if only I can detach myself emotionally from my print collection, I could make some money with the. 🙂

    michael holcomb

  38. Stuart,

    Wow, you made that seem so easy.
    Anything that is worthwhile takes some combination of time, money and effort. I’m sure you have invested wisely in your business and are reaping the benefits.

    Thanks for sharing this opportunity with us.

  39. Stuart,
    Found a great vintage book with 100 color plates in perfect shape for $6800.00. Only one listed with all 100 plates. Decided to purchase one of the ones with lesser plates and sell those and keep coming back until I have built up enough to purchase this one. Boy this is a really fun way to make some extra pocket money.

    • Hi J Arthur

      Such a substantial investment is strictly for the expert print seller who knows exactly what the plates will fetch based on personal experience of selling similar items.

  40. Stuart,

    I thoroughly enjoy your emails. Whenever I see one in my inbox, I never hesitate to read it. I’ve joined Debra’s site too. But I haven’t been able to pull the trigger I guess. I am currently a Top-Rated Powerseller in another category(ies). But I can’t seem to get a grasp on the whole Prints thing??? I emailed a while back about having a bunch of Orchid photos from more modern works and you informed me about right of first use (thank you BTW). Having an outlet for mats and rigid mailers would (will) be a big help as I couldn’t find anything reasonably priced at our Florida craft stores (they are 6″ x 9″ odd size). I definitely need to find more items to sell on Ebay before I lose my status (been dormant a while now). Thanks for all the great information.
    Tommy

  41. Hello Stuart

    I have enjoyed all of your Prints make Profits and Print Sorcery guides and would have loved joining you on one of your workshops, but in these difficult days I found the price prohibitive.

    Just a suggestion, but would you consider running a sort of ‘budget’ workshop? A cut back version of your workshop, but at a reduced price.

  42. Stuart,

    Thanks for the great post. It has motivated me to go back and spend some time on the vintage reprint market. I am going to review “Prints Make Profits” again today and then set up some prints to post on eBay. You always do a great job of spelling out what you need to do and how simple it can really be.

  43. Stuart,

    Thank you for another very informative post. I always print them out and put them in a binder with my Prints Makes Profits ebook so that I have everything in one place if I need to check on something.

    Your Spot The Difference contest/post was really good for helping me write a better (winning) listing.

    Nanette, Your book on the history of the Highland Clans sounds very interesting to me, since I am Scots-Irish and my granddaughter was born in Scotland in 2007, while my daughter and son-in-law were living there.

  45. Hi, Stuart.

    Always look forward to your emails, especially when they have a link
    to a new blog post.

    What a joy todays email is. Not only a truly important blog post, divulging something
    that you have never disclosed before. I was amazed that this 1930 Black Beauty book
    contains some lovely prints by Cecil Aldin. It amazed me to think that as a cigarette
    card collector, i have some cards that are illustrated by him.

    Also we have through your generosity a chance for a luky winner, to have a selection of
    prints, custom cut mat kits and rigid envelope and envelopes. What a great suprise it
    will be for that lucky winner.

    i will certainly keep an eye out for this book, just in case it is in a charity shop etc.

    Keep up the great work helping us readers and buyers with your wisdom.

    Regards
    Vince

  46. I have used Amazon for selling some of my books and would like to experience Ebay, selling prints, but Ebay seems a lot different. I am 63 next birthday and I am a little uncertain about descriptions, keywords and Ebay in general. Maybe I am worrying too much. I don’t know. I would love to source prints and sell them on Ebay. Is selling on Ebay as easy as people make out?

    Thank you Stuart for great newsletters. I hope I can get over my worries.

    • You just have to jump in and give it a try, Stuart!

      Don’t be worried about making mistakes – that’s the best way to learn. Try listing some of your books on eBay to get a feel for how it works with something you are familiar with.

      As far as descriptions and keywords are concerned follow the lead of the successful sellers.

  47. I have followed you for quite sometime. You continually go beyond my expectations on the information and products you offer. I have learned so much from your generous sharing and teaching. I continue to look forward to your next post.

  48. Black Beauty! A favorite of mine since I was a kid. And no, I’m not cutting up my copy 😉
    I have to say, that I am surprised at how much I am enjoying the research involved with the antique print business! I can now write with confidence about the type or method used to produce the print, and I am currently immersed in the history of the Highland Clans, thanks to a set of broken books. As a longtime bookseller, this is a perfect offshoot for me.

  49. I have been so excited by the prints make profits and what I am learning and earning that I keep my eyes open and am finding prints in a lot of different places. Its keeping the costs down. I’ve been following Stuart for years and he has given us something that really works and is fun and profitable. Along the way I found a book and with the knowledge I now have I sold the little book for $22.00. You can’t lose with his proven system! Thanks Stuart,sincerely, Gail Goodman New Paltz New York USA

  50. Hi Stuart, thanks for the info I find it very interesting! I wonder what would be the deciding factor for you to sell a print matted vs. unmatted?

    Thanks,
    Sue

    • Thanks for your comment and question, Sue!

      I advise everybody to start out by selling un-matted plates. This keeps things simple and keeps your costs down.

      When you have regular money coming in, invest in a few mat kits and test the water to see if the final values justify the extra time and cost.

      I can’t give a definitive answer that applies to every print, I know in my own niche that matting is worth the effort (based on personal experience) but this won’t necessarily apply to other niches/price points.

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A Hidden but HOT Niche!