Rare Book Monthly
MatchMaker: The Future Is Now
The Future is Now
For members who want to upload titles to the "Wants List" that are not in our -Database we provide that option under "NON-ÆD WANTS." These items will be matched against both the internet and upcoming auctions and reported just as other "matches" are.
For upcoming auctions we go one step further. We can search all upcoming lots in any of the 43 auction houses’ sales we cover we using Keywords. So we give you 10 Keyword sequences to use. If you want to identify all lots containing references to George Washington you put "George" in one field and "Washington" in the second field to find every lot description that contains both of these terms. If you want to further refine your "matches" to relate only to "Maryland" then place this term in the third box. But remember you will only then match records that include all three terms. If you collect a specific author such as Theodore Roosevelt you can use simply "Roosevelt" if you are willing to stand finding "matches" that include Franklin, Eleanor and others. Because there are not nearly as many auction lots as online listings you can afford to be broad. Receiving "matches" is fun and addictive.
Toward the bottom of your "Wants List" Control Panel there is A& I (Auctions & Internet Matches and three options – Net Matches, Auction Matches and Auction Keyword Matches. When "matches" are located you will receive notification within six hours. On your personal home page there are GLOBE symbols that appear next to either Internet, Auction Matches or Auction Keyword "matches" when you have at least one "match."
When you have a "match," we provide a link that opens the exact matching record on your computer. If it is interesting keep it. If it isn’t, delete it. All links on the "match page" are live. If you are interested you can contact the seller or auction house directly through this link. We however have no financial interest in the transaction if one takes place. Your relationship to the Æ is simply as a subscriber. No listing site or auction house will know of your interest until and unless you identify yourself to them.
For Æ members who subscribe, or are currently subscribers, to both Æ Database and Auction Notices, you are now enabled to use this MatchMaker software until August 1st at no additional charge. For everyone else we have created a test account so that you can observe how this new MatchMaker software works. This test patch contains about 300 records that have been uploaded. "Matches" that have been located show up. This is real life and great fun.
During our testing of this MatchMaker software I have made several very good buys. This MatchMaker software will not be exactly what you think, but it is remarkably effective. Simply posting a fresh list will get you some "matches," but at least part of its appeal is to quickly identify rarities as soon as they appear. It is very, very effective. During the trial period all Æ Database and Auction Notices Members have the capacity to keep 250 records uploaded all the time. For members who want to post more records we will formally introduce a pricing schedule on August 1st, but we expect many members will realize the beneficial impact of this MatchMaker software and request to upload a thousand items as “Wants” sooner. If you decide you want to post more than 250 "Wants" before August 1st, contact us for pricing.
click here to preview MatchMaker.
Additional Auction Keywords will also be available.
