General Guidelines

> LEFT BIDS: We receive advance bids on most of our lots from distant customers. In all cases, a left or absentee bid will be executed as cheaply as possible, and all bidding shall open from the auction floor. If your bid is matched by the audience, their bid shall prevail; we do not offer a system of "plus one bid" . This service is free and confidential. Please note that although we will make every effort, we cannot be responsible for the clerk's failure to execute a bid.

> LEFT BID FORM: The last page of the hard copy catalog contains a left bid form which you may copy. You may also use your own letterhead, as long as all pertinent information is present. If you are bidding on more than 10 items, please type or print all bids on a single sheet and attach that to a signed bid form. Any tie bids will be posted to the earliest received. Please bid in even dollars; NO CENTS please.

> PAYMENT FOR LEFT BIDS: We will normally notify successful bidders within 7 days. If you have included a FAX number on your bid form, we will notify you by FAX, unless you advise us NOT to. Others will be notified by mail. Personal checks drawn on a U.S. bank are acceptable. Note that shipping charges are extra and will be billed at the time of shipment. Payment is due on receipt of invoice, and no later than 30 days from the date of the auction. Reminder invoices will be mailed on the 21^st day, and after the 30^th day a service charge of 1.5% per month will be added. See paragraph titled "default" below.

> OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS may remit via AirPost with money orders, or large amounts may be wired directly to Fleet Bank, Boston, MA, routing #011400495, Swift number FLTBUS3B, for credit to R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts, Salem, New Hampshire, account number 000137-3870. Note routing numbers changed in year 2001.

> SHIPPING: We use local packaging companies that provide service to all worldwide addresses. They use cardboard boxes unless wooden crates are specified. As a general rule, charges start at $35 for small novelties +alarms, $60 on medium shelf clocks and around $95 for large school clocks. Wooden crates start at $150 + freight. Please realize that about half of the items in this catalog will be sold to absentee participants and this creates a shipping backlog.

> SELLERS--VENDORS: A complete set of our terms of consignment is available for asking.

> SALES TAX: There is NO sales tax in New Hampshire.

> PICK UP IN LIEU OF SHIPPING: If you or your agent/friend would prefer to drive to Salem to pick up purchases, an appointment can be arranged. You should still plan to settle your account within 10 days of invoicing. Note that Mr. Raleigh and Mr. LeVarn cover most of the 48 states with blanket wrapped delivery service; see phone numbers in rear of catalog; minimum charges apply.

> RESERVES: There are a small number of items in this sale with a reserve, or confidential minimum selling price established with the seller/vendor. Items failing to sell will be noted in the results sheet as $00.

> ESTIMATES: After each description, we've indicated a high and low dollar estimate. The estimates are guides for prospective bidders, but should not be relied on as a prediction of the final prices. These estimates are based on our own past sales, buffered by results from New York and London sale rooms, as well as regional Mart prices.

> CONDITION SCALE, in order: Poor, fair, good, very good, excellent, outstanding, and superior. If the lot description includes the words "as-found", the item came to us from storage and, although we may have noted external shortcomings, we have not looked inside. General maintenance items such as broken suspension springs, broken or missing weight cords, missing keys or door latches are not mentioned. Although most clocks were running when we took possession of them, we cannot guarantee that they will run without adjustment when you get them home. Dimensions are approximate. In the rare case where there has been hidden and undisclosed damage or restoration that materially affects the value of the item, we must be notified within 7 days of your receipt of the merchandise. Transit damage alone is not sufficient reason to return an item. We will assist in claims against transport companies.

> KEYS: Some clocks may have keys, but we do NOT provide them for all clocks; they are available from suppliers such as Timesavers, Merritts, and LaRose.

> AGE & PROVENANCE: We do occasionally offer modern reproductions of earlier models, but they are clearly indicated {Howard reissues, for example}. Restoration to older models is clarified: "new paper dial" or "new tablet" should prove self-explanatory.

> NUMBER LABELS on each clock are quite sticky; apply mild heat to make removal easier; pull SLOWLY. Hand cleaner, "goop" or solvent will loosen any residue.

> AGENCY: Some customers may elect to have another person bid on their behalf, acting as their agent. While we understand this process, we want to emphasize that the person registering and bidding is ultimately responsible for honoring the invoice we issue. On payment of the invoice we can accept shipping instructions as the agent directs. Note that upon the completed sale {payment in full} of an item we become the agent of the buyer, and that agency extends up until we transfer the item to the care of the shipper. At that point, responsibility transfers to the shipper, acting as agent for the buyer.

> DEFAULT: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts will not be liable for default by either the buyer or the vendor, as we act as agents only and therefore do not pay the vendor until payment is received from the buyer. We will witness against any default should legal action be necessary. No purchase shall be claimed or removed until paid for in full. If buyer fails to pay within 30 days, Schmitt's shall be entitled to a> levy interest at the rate of 1.5% per month, b> exercise a lien over any lots purchased by the buyer and over other property of the buyer that may be in their possession, and c> resell without any notice any lot for which Schmitt's has not been paid in full. If the buyer fails to comply with payment conditions, Schmitt's reserves the right to refuse to accept bids made by the defaulting buyer at any future auction.

> RIGHTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS: The vendor gives Schmitt's the absolute right to photograph and illustrate any lot placed in their hands for sale, and to use any photos placed in their hands by the vendor, at any time and at their discretion. Similarly the buyer gives Schmitt's the right to use photos of items purchased, at their absolute discretion.