The Archive grows by acquisition, and there are two ways to send us a piece: an outright buyout, or consignment. Both begin with expert verification; the right choice depends on how quickly you want paying and how much you are willing to wait for the best price.
Buyout
With a buyout we purchase the piece outright. Our experts verify it, we agree a price, and you are paid within two business days of verification. There is no commission and no processing fee — the trade-off is that the upside beyond that price belongs to us, not to you.
Consignment
With consignment we act as your seller. Your piece is photographed, listed, and shipped by us, and you earn a commission on the final sale price: 60% under $300, 70% from $300 to $2,499, and 80% from $2,500 upward, with a 2.9% processing fee. Because we research comparable sales to price for the best return, consignment usually earns more over time.
How to choose
- Choose buyout for a fast, certain payout and no ongoing involvement.
- Choose consignment to keep more of the sale price and let us handle the sale.
- For rare or one-of-one pieces valued at $5,000 or more, we set the price together.
Either way, every item is verified before it changes hands. Pieces that do not pass verification are returned — you provide a shipping label — or donated on your behalf.