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> From: George Huxtable
> My experience shows up the problems that can occur when you buy something
> as finicky as a sextant, sight unseen, at auction. Will I
> be tempted to try again? Probably, yes. What more can I do to avoid
> another disappointment? I have no idea.

One thing that has impressed me with some Ebay listings of sextants (and
other items) is an offered plethora of detailed photos, supplementing a full
description. Perhaps I am na?ve, but am impressed when the seller mentions
some flaw and has a close-up picture of the problem.

Now, not all sellers have the wherewithal to offer many finely-detailed
close-up photos, but there is no harm in asking for as much, when forwarding
an extensive list as possible of each instrument area of concern for them to
respond to. They do generally manage at least one photo, and a keen
potential buyer may encourage them to produce more. Advantages of
contemporary consumer digital cameras are that they generally have excellent
close-up capabilities, an in-built flash and are fast becoming ubiquitous -
who doesn't at least know someone who has one?

George should be grateful that he lives in such a (geographically) small
country; with the sea never more than about 40 miles away? A visit to the
'West-country', either here or in the US, could involve several thousands of
miles ...

(Its nice to hear that spring has sprung elsewhere. Here the hot weather
seems to have been replaced quite suddenly with much cooler days and nights,
without anything in between. And its still dry.)

   

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