When it comes to collecting and the auto hobby, certain types of memorabilia tend to take precedence among collectors. Because of that, things like tin and neon signs, antique fuel pumps, and oil cans command both top dollar sales figures and the attention of the average enthusiast. These are the traditional "blue chip" classes of automobilia - and there is nothing wrong with that! Many collectors are perfectly satisfied with a collection that doesn't venture far beyond these items.

But the long, varied history of the automobile, and the many different ways it has touched society and the arts, means that there is a whole world of artifacts hidden away out there, waiting for us as enthusiasts to enjoy them. At autocurio, we seek to highlight these pieces - whether newly made or decades old, purely artistic or function-forward - and connect them with collectors who can appreciate them for their unique place in the hobby.

The model is simple: when first meeting with new clients, we discuss interests - marques, eras, themes, existing collections, etc. - and map out the kinds of automobilia that might be of interest to that collector going forward. We then keep this information handy while curating new inventory, as it informs our selection process and helps us connect our customers with the specific collectables they are interested in.

Relying on a nationwide network of sources, we scour the country daily for automobilia that may be of interest to our clients. Once new inventory items are properly authenticated and graded, they are offered directly to clients before being made available to the wider public - first, on a direct-offer basis, where we contact clients who have expressed an interest that we feel aligns with the item in question, and later, through our quarterly e-mailers, which are only distributed to existing customers.

Naturally, this heavy focus on the most desirable stock, in combination with our client-centric service, requires considerable attention to detail - as such, we prioritize quality over quantity, and purposefully limit our new inventory purchases to only the finest pieces. Because of this, we regularly "pass on" items that we don't feel are a perfect fit for our service. On these occasions, we may reach out to clients to tip them off to the availability of an item that suits their interests, and connect them with the sellers directly.

It has been our good fortune to connect with collectors, vendors, marque experts, automotive historians, and restoration specialists from across the country, who frequently tip us off to new offerings, assist in authenticating or grading our inventory, and connect us with potential new clients; for that, we are very thankful! We hope that the service we provide is pulling its own weight alongside the value they add.