Here are a few simple tips for anyone contemplating beginning a collection of (Alberto) Vargas Pin-up Art that was originally published in periodicals - True, Esquire, Playboy, and the like.

(1) WAS THE PIN-UP REMOVED FROM THE MAGAZINE CORRECTLY?  The ONLY way to remove the pin-up without damaging it is to gently open the staples and then pull said staples from the magazine spine.  This results in the pin-up being romoved intact, with the adjoining page still attached.  ALWAYS ask a seller if the pin-up still has the adjoining page attached - "carefully cut" is not an acceptable answer!  Almost all of the two-page pin-ups contain "overlap" material that is essential to splicing the two halves together for a frameable print.

(2) WHAT WAS THE CONDITION OF THE ORIGINAL MAGAZINE?  The majority of these pin-ups are from magazines that are 50-70+ years old.  While a lot of them - particularly Playboy - were kept in collections, many were stored in basements, attics, garages, etc.  The result - stale, moldy, musty and/or waterstained pages.  Check into the general condition prior to purchase.

(3) ARE THE PIN-UPS ORIGINALS FROM THE PERIODICAL?  Most dealers are selling original pin-up pages, but there ARE those low-lifes that deal in PHOTOCOPIES.  Not only is this a great disappointment to collectors, but it is also ILLEGAL!  The Vargas Estate vigorously prosecutes such scam artists, but some manage to stay in business long enough to burn a few unsuspecting patrons.  And lastly,

(4) HOW ARE THE PIN-UPS SHIPPED?  Over the years I have bought and sold several thousand Vargas,  and I can tell you for a fact that the shipping method is critical.  These pin-ups were printed on clay-base paper, and thus are easily damaged by careless packing and shipping.  For every one that I sell I give away three that have been damaged in delivery to me.  Be SURE that the seller at a minimum places each pin-up in an acid-free archival storage page.

There you have it - 4 simple questions that any reputable dealer will be glad to answer... (-: