“We deal in antiquarian books, historical ephemera, and other collectible paper goods,” Martin explained. “Obviously Boston is one of our favorite places to go for buying trips: so many historical events happened here, and New Englanders hang on to everything. We’ve found some real treasures here. But getting them back to our Alabama shop can be a challenge.”
Shipping antiques, particularly fragile paper goods and books that are more than 100 years old, presents some challenges. “Moisture is obviously the top concern,” Martin said. “And we need to avoid having these documents bent, folded, or compromised in any way. That means finding a packaging expert – and believe me, they just don’t have that level of expertise available at the office superstores.”
Martin has had much better luck working with companies that specialize in packing and shipping. “In Boston, that means Boston Pack and Ship,” he said. “They’re experienced; they really listen to make sure all our concerns are addressed, and they bring innovative packaging solutions to the table to ensure our purchases make it home in great condition.”
“There have been a few times when we’ve purchased extremely large, over-sized pieces of ephemera,” Martin said. “Election day posters and signage – very big items. Being able to rely on Boston Pack and Ship’s custom crating services was a real life-saver: each crate is built to the precise size needed to afford the maximum amount of protection. When you’ve invested thousands of dollars in an antique, you want to be sure you can ship it home safely!”