The Admiral, for that is who I am, is Martin Derham. I was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and after travels, including 4 years in Germany, live on the edge of Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

For many years I had a successful business career with a major US computer company. I ended up travelling across the Western World, and managing people in 8 different countries. Unfortunately I was then ill, and this has continued to restrict my capabilities until today. The discovery of EBay has given me a new lease of life since I can control what I do, and when I do it. What is even better is that I deal with things I love and share this with buyers around the world with similar interests.

To me, EBay is a tremendous recycling tool, that takes peoples unwanted items and passes them on to people who want them.

I am a collector myself, mainly with diecast road vehicles and postcards, but I am also a serial book-piler, all round my house. I am sensitive to the needs of collectors. This means I put extra effort into descriptions, and into packing, to ensure items are always received in the condition they were despatched. I would far rather be hyper-critical in my description, than sell something as better than it really is. If you don't agree with my description it isn't for the want of trying!

I will search for models or models of particular cars on request, and can often offer diecasts from major manufacturers at below retail pricing, subject to availability. Just ask me. It is only an e-mail.

I always try to remember that my customers are putting great trust in me, and I try to return that to them in my efforts on their behalf.

Why AdmiralHardinge and the Admiral's Locker? The area I live in is an estate built on the grounds of Great Bounds House, which was pulled down after WW2. Among its owners was Sir Thomas More, and Erasmus is said to have visited there, and preached at the local church. All the roads are named after later owners of the house, or features of the grounds. My road was named after a Hardinge, a local military family, but whose name seemed to fit very well with "Admiral", rather than an Army rank! The rest is a natural carry on of the theme.

I always am willing to consider buying suitable collections or items that fit in with my theme.