Collecting Automobilia has always been popular and people collect anything to do with cars or motorbikes. There are books, magazines,sales brochures, catalogues as well as mascots, badges and radiator caps.

The motor car has now been with us for over 100 years and some of the earliest automobilia can be classed as antiques, although when collecting automobilia, anything dating from prior to the First World War is referred to as 'Classic'.

Travel books are very popular automobilia to collect and there are many of them. Collectors enjoy dramatic accounts of early motorist driving through Europe or the length and breadth of Britain, in an early Austin Seven. Cars in those days were not as reliable as they are now and there would have been breakdowns and many a tale to tell. Collectors should look for these early books, especially first editions.

Motoring magazines started as early as 1910, with 'Motoring Illustrated' and 'The Car Illustrated', being among the first. Look out for bound collections of motoring magazines, as they are extremely collectable, especially if their covers are intact. Beware when buying early publicity material. Popular catalogues were often copied, so make sure that you are buying an original.

Posters are always a popular collectable and collectors should look out for particular makes of cars or petrol companies, such as Esso or British Petroleum. Many of the graphic artists of the day, especially French artists, Geri or Rene Vincent are very collectable. If you are lucky enough to get hold of a signed original, they should fetch a good price at auction.

Before 1900 motorists rarely drove in the dark, but as reliability of the car improved, lighting systems also became more efficient. There was no standardised lighting and several interesting fuel systems were used, including candles, oil, acetylene gas and later, electricity, making this a very popular area for collectors.

Early motorists enjoyed personalising their cars by attaching various kind of mascots and the manufacturers soon followed suit and produced their own special mascots. There are many different types and they were produced from a variety of materials, bronze, chrome and even glass. The best known mascot is probably the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' designed by Charles Sykes in 1911 for Rolls-Royce. Early editions have the full Sykes signature with the patent date 6th February 1911, and this would fetch a three figure sum at auction if it is in good condition.

Many animal mascots were made by the French designer Rene Lalique; he produced a fascinating range of glass radiator cap mascots which were said to be almost unbreakable. These can fetch big prices at auction.

The Automobile Club was founded in 1907 and became the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) in 1907 when Edward VI became its patron. The Automobile Association (AA) was fonded in 1906 and both of these associations produced badges that are very collectable and can be found in large quantities at most auctions. Every member used to receive one of the metal badges with their membership. Many makes of car had their own clubs with their own badge, such as M.G. or Riley Owners. Badges can be had for a few pounds to hundreds of pounds. When purchasing an enamel badge, make sure that the enamel is not cracked or chipped.

In 1914 the AA had more than 80,000 members and there were special badges for motor cycles which included the distinctive 'M' shaped emblem with wings above. Make sure that you are getting an original badge and not a copy. An authentic AA badge will have the membership number stamped on the badge, which helps the collector to date it. There are some very early AA badges which are rare - you will recognize them by the small, heart-shaped insert between the peaks of the two A's.

Collectors also go for motoring goggles and clothing, oil pumps, dashboard instruments and maps. Some like to specialise in one particular thing while others like to collect everything to do with the early days of motoring.