Editorial desk · Practical notes
Make a simple collection record
Assign each tin a reference number and photograph every side, including the base. Transcribe visible wording without guessing at unclear letters.
Record dimensions, condition and where the piece came from. Keep a seller description separate from facts you can observe directly; an attractive design does not establish age.
Store the record with the photographs. You can add researched information later while preserving the distinction between evidence and an initial impression.