AADDA LISTING GUIDE

Welcome to the AADDA Listing Guide page. This page provides an instant reference resource for AADDA Members, Associates and Consumers in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Collectable Trade. The AADDA has established guidelines, within which, collectable items from both art periods are to be accurately and uniformly listed, described and or promoted. Reviewing this guide will identify the format, content, terminology and general rarity and condition scale guide used by all AADDA Members in the collectable trade. Consumers can rest assured that items purchased from AADDA Members are accurately listed, described and promoted according to AADDA standards and ethical principals. AADDA Members pride themselves in the quality and accuracy of their item descriptions and listings. They do not "feather" their item listings by using

1. Any art deco/art nouveau article offered for sale by a member is to be deemed to be represented by the Member- to be "Original" (as defined in this Bylaws) unless there is a clear written indication to the contrary.

Any item listed or offered for sale by an AADDA member that contains the word "Original" is deemed to be an item of the original Art Nouveau and/or Art Deco Period. The use of the term "Vintage" is an acceptable alternate, and as such the term "Vintage" shall clearly imply that the offered item is "Original" to the applicable period.

2. Any art deco/art nouveau article offered for sale, which is not an "Original" period item shall be clearly and without doubt - labeled and identified as not being an original art deco/art nouveau period item. Such identification must include the term "reproduction."

Any item listed or offered for sale by an AADDA member that is not an "Original" or "Vintage" item, can not be identified as a collectable item of the original Art Nouveau and/or Art Deco Period. The use of the term "Reproduction" must be used to accurately represent the item(s). The use of the term "Reproduction" implies that the item was clearly produced / manufactured after the noted period time frame(s).

3. Any art deco/art nouveau article offered for sale, which is not an original period item - but is clearly in the art deco "Style," shall be clearly and without doubt - labeled and identified as not being an original art deco period item but is in the art deco / art nouveau style.

Any art deco/art nouveau article offered for sale, for which a definitive manufacturing time frame or production time frame can not be identified or verified, may be identified as being in the art deco / art nouveau "Style," but must clearly identify the production period of the item(s) as "Unknown."

4. Any art deco/art nouveau article offered for sale, which is not in its original manufactured condition, must be identified as such. Members may stock, sell, trade or buy reconditioned, or repaired period items - but - these items must be described clearly. Members must fully disclose and known or suspected alterations or repairs to the items in any and all posted descriptions. Any damage to an item must be clearly posted and described including: scratches, scrapes, dents, breaks, chips, cracks, tears, missing pieces, altered pieces, resurfacing, etc… Members may use statements such as "reconditioned," "professionally repaired," or " professionally refinished" to indicate an acceptable level of such, of which the member has personal knowledge.

AADDA Members are to provide full disclosure for any item sold. It is not unusual at all for many original Art Nouveau or Art Deco collectable items to have been professionally repaired or resurfaced or reconditioned. Preservation of these collectable items can very well be an acceptable practice. However, since the use of such terms "Reconditioned, Repaired, or Refinished" implies an item not in its original manufactured condition - this must be clearly identified. If AADDA Members suspect - within their knowledge and professional judgement that such alterations might have been utilized in the maintenance of such items - these practices must be disclosed as such.

The disclosure of any and damage - clearly evident or suspect - must be provided within the item description to the best of the Members ability. Of particular note is any damage that is obvious pertaining to the item(s). Deep scratches, breaks, cracks, dents, tears, missing parts, altered parts, ETC… must be fully disclosed.

Note: Because Art Deco and Art Nouveau collectable items have been predominately owned by others prior to the AADDA Member's acquisition, such items are assumable to have "Normal Age Wear." This means that these items in all likelihood display signs of normal aging and use. Moving, Polishing, Waxing, Minor Scratches, Etc…. are all reasonably expected. The use of the term "Normal Age Wear" shall indicate however, the absence of any significant damage. Again however, any noted structural damages as identified above will be disclosed fully.

5. Any art deco or art nouveau item offered for sale by an AADDA Member shall provide by posting or tagging or listing - a description immediately above, beside or below the actual item or item image. The description shall contain a full and clear accurate description of the item(s) which includes:

a) Title of item or original "Piece Name" as assigned by the original artist or original production foundry/manufacturer - if known or marked as such on the item.

b) Artist name, sculptor name, Etc….. if known. AADDA Members will not associate an original artist name with any item unless that item was an original production piece of that artist work and original art form period. Such designations shall imply that the item is the work of that identified artist - original to production. Such associations must be verifiable by the presence of the artist name, mark or logo on the item(s). AADDA Members may use the term "In the style of_____________" to identify the item as clearly being a item, which does not bear original known artist marks, logos or names and/or reproduction of the original artist work. However, the description must clearly identify that the item is not verifiable an original artist work of the original art form time periods established by the AADDA. The term "Unmarked" must be utilized for such items.

c) Founder or original manufacture of item if known. AADDA Members shall identify original founders or manufacturers of items offered for sale or listed only if the founders or manufacturer can clearly be identified by the presence of the founders mark, logo, number or name on the item. AADDA Members may use the term "In the style of _____________" to identify the item as clearly being in the likeness of the original founder or manufacturer quality. However, the description must clearly identify that the item is not verifiable as an original production item of that founder or manufacturer. The term "Unmarked" must be utilized for such items.

d) The year or approximate date of manufacture of the article. AADDA Members strive to identify original production dates for all items they list, promote or offer for sell. If such original manufacturer dates are identified on the item(s) offered or identified - such dates are given. Generally, founder or manufacturing dates are clearly identified on such items and should be clearly observable as such. Many items contain, in addition to original founder or manufacturing marks, names or logo's - copyright stamps, marks, Etc….., which incorporate a specific year. While a copyright mark exclusively identifies the year of the copyright awarded for the item design, they do not necessarily identify an item as being produced during that identified year. For example: a copyright awarded in 1922 may be contained on an item produced by the founder or manufacturer in 1927. AADDA Members identify observable copyright marks as only copyright dates. AADDA Members strive to provide accurate item descriptions containing production periods. Such periods may be identified as a "Reasonable Time Frame." By "Reasonable Time Frame" - the AADDA expects all Members to be as accurate and as defining as possible based upon the Members knowledge, expertise and verifiable references sources. Such time frames, when given, in the absence of verifiable known time frames, shall be restricted to reasonable 20-year time spans. If an AADDA Member can not, within reason of their knowledge, experience and reference sources narrow such a production time span down to 20-Years - they shall identify the production time period as "Unknown."

e) Composition of item. All listings, other than those physically attached to an item at its physical location and referencing a stock book number, shall include sufficient photo images that clearly present the item(s) in its entirety. If only one single image is used to post an offer for an item and describe such item then the member must make additional image/photo representations available as requested by the buyer prior to the sale of the item. Image representations of an item shall include close up images of any known or suspected alterations, repairs, resurfacing or any visible damage. All images used to represent an offered item must be of only the actual item and not a representation - unless the item is identified as and sold as a "Reproduction or New item.".

f) All listings shall contain full and complete information by the member concerning transaction closure time frame, acceptable method of payment, shipping method, forwarding delivery information, member contact information, procedures for notification of return, etc…

g) Members may include other relevant information in all of their listings such as: item history, source, previous owner(s), or other member specific statements, based upon a members personal knowledge and expertise, which provide beneficial information to consumers in the art deco and art nouveau collectible fields. These statements may not however, be inaccurate, intentionally misleading or suggestive in nature in a manner that is anything other than true. If members include any information that is considered to be "professionally unverifiable," then the member must use a clarifying statement in the listing. It is however predominately expected that all items offered by Association Members are to be assumed that the object is as presented and suggested by its appearance and character in full disclosure.

h) All AADDA members shall use the AADDA Rarity Scale to identify the rarity of each item they sell and are free to reference such in their listings as a demonstration of their professional membership in the AADDA.

i) All AADDA members shall use the AADDA Condition Scale to denote the overall condition of the item as a demonstration of their professional membership in the AADDA.

j) All AADDA Members shall include the term, "AADDA Established Listing Guidelines" at the end of any such item listings to identify their compliance with AADDA Guidelines.

6. The stock of art deco or art nouveau items carried by a member shall at all times be of a standard of quality that is not lower than the prevailing standard of quality, which, the Board in its absolute discretion, considers to be appropriate for admission to membership of the Association.

Members of the AADDA maintain a representative stock of Art Deco and/or Art Nouveau items available for sell or trade. Members strive to provide the best items they have available for open trade or collectors. The stock of an AADDA Member varies according to acquisition, availability and specialty interest of the Member. Therefore - Members may offer items ranging from Mint condition to items, which require restoration. However, the AADDA mandates full disclosure on all stock items.

7. An invoice, should be given by a member for any object sold whether such sale is to a public consumer or to another dealer. An invoice should contain or have attached the original posted description of the art deco or art nouveau item/object. Invoices verify that the sold item(s) are presented and suggested by its appearance and character in full disclosure.

All AADDA Members provide an Invoice for the sale of any item. The invoice is expected to provide full disclosure of item (may be attached), date of sell / trade, tem price, shipping charges, insurance charges, method of payment, applicable taxes and amount, and Total Invoice Amount.

8. All AADDA members, by virtue of AADDA Guidelines offer the following Buyer/Collector Guarantee with any and all art deco or art nouveau items they sell.

"A full and complete refund of any item, that is not as represented in the original item description/posting."

All AADDA Members pride themselves in providing accurate and complete descriptions of each item they sell. As such, AADDA Members back their sells with full disclosure and comprehensive listings to the best of their ability. AADDA Members stand behind their experience and expertise and back both with the AADDA Guarantee.

9. Returned items for any other reason and by any other means through negotiation, trade or bartering for any reason other an item not being as advertised or described as above shall be by mutual agreement between the AADDA Member and buyer. The mutual agreement shall include provisions for return and safe insured shipment, which may be the liability of the buyer. Such mutual agreements are a binding right of membership and members are expected to honor any such agreements to the fullest extent. However, such agreements are an independent agreement between buyer and seller and are not governed by membership in the AADDA. Nor are such agreements subject to AADDA Arbitration Rules.

All AADDA Members may make allowance for item returns at their discretion, for reasons other than the item not being as described. However, this is discretionary on the part of the Member and such agreements made with the buyer or trader. Returns to the AADDA Members can be made with their agreement - under such terms as they agree to with the buyer / trader. However, cost for return shipping, insurance, Etc…. shall be negotiated and are not bound by AADDA Membership. Such arrangements are not subject to AADDA Arbitration or oversight.

10. If a member is asked by the Governing Board or AADDA appointed arbitrator(s) to describe an object, in respect of which no invoice - which complies with this Bylaw, was given on its sale by the member, the member shall provide the Board with any relevant information that may be requested. Including but not limited to original description, postings, advertisements, photo images, etc. as the AADDA deems necessary.

All AADDA Members are required to cooperate fully with any AADDA Arbitration procedure and request for any needed information. Members who fail to honor AADDA request are subject to have their Membership revoked and may be suspended from the AADDA indefinitely.

AADDA RARITY SCALE
1	COMMON	Regularly available with little effort. Can be found in most venues with little effort. Can be located in flea-market, antique and on line avenues including eBay© and other retail / auction / store front shop venues. Seen in most collections.
2	UNCOMMON	Obtainable but with effort. Can be located in antique and on line avenues including eBay© and other retail / auction / store front shops. Seen in most collections.
3	SCARCE	Difficult to find and only seen in limited venues such as antique and on line store front shops. Seen occasionally on eBay© and other auction venues. Generally seen in collections.
4	RARE	Very difficult to find with limited availability in any venue. Seldom available and generally seen in on line specialty venues, rarely on online auction venues and generally in older larger collections.
5	ULTRA - RARE	Seldom seen. Usually available in only specialty venues of a very limited nature. Found in older larger collections. Secured overseas and hardly ever available to the general public.
6	EXTREMELY- RARE	Most difficult to find. Seldom seen except in private collections and specialty museums. Found in the best collections. Usually not available for general purchase - even by collectors.

AADDA CONDITION REFERENCE SCALE
1	AS IS	Denotes a condition that acknowledges an item, which will require repair, refinishing, refurbishing, replacing missing parts, Etc… Noted and disclosed defects are included fully in item description.
2	FAIR	Denotes an item, which contains obvious use and wears signs that are excessive. Heavy scratches, heavy finish wear, small chips or surface cracks, change in surface finish, Etc…Generally, condition is such that the item is complete and reasonable repair and refinishing can be completed to return the item to a desired state - if so chosen. Noted and disclosed defects are included fully in item description.
3	GOOD	Denotes an item, which is in readily acceptable condition. Represents the item in its original state with normal or expected signs of use and wear or age. Finish may have minor scratches, wear marks, high point dulling, or refinishing may have occurred, Etc… However, there is no significant damage, missing parts, cracks, severe chips, Etc… Noted and disclosed defects are included fully in item description.
4	FINE	Denotes an item, which is in readily acceptable collectible condition. Represents the item in its original state with very little if any normal signs of use and wear or age. Minor signs may in fact exist but require a visual aid to view. Finish is typically void of expected use, ear and age indicators. Noted and disclosed minor defects are included fully in item description.
5	MINT	Denotes an item in exceptional unusual "Mint" condition. Item is in its original production state and of founder or artist approved production quality. No defects are observable on the item. Generally reserved for larger collectible indication and museum quality items.