Hi all,
Afraid I missed most of this stream but i did catch Freeman's
post and wanted to give a few thoughts as I am mentioned.
What I think everyone has to remember is that the movie poster
market is a much, much more than just Ebay. I think people
(particularly those who sell primarily through it) tend to forget
that. There are many people out there who do not have the time or
inclination to deal with Ebay or any auction. They want to browse a
selection (either through an on-line site or gallery) that has
merchandise that they can buy now. Not an hour, day or week from now,
but now. And at a fixed price. And from a known reputable dealer. And
where they can actually see the item in the flesh. And in our case
from someone that will also frame the poster. The many movie poster
businesses world-wide that are thriving are proof of this (not that it
is necessarily easy - see below for just a few of the costs
involved).
I know that all of this is not remotely restricted to the movie
poster business. It is the same in every antique & collectible
business. So everyone that gets annoyed when they see us or another
gallery selling posters for several times what they might be available
on Ebay for needs to remember that. They also need to remember that it
costs quite a bit to open, maintain, promote & publicize and staff
a gallery. Not to mention acquiring and replenishing an inventory of
over 14,000 different posters like we do.
Ebay was started and I happen to think will remain primarily as a
virtual yard/garage sale, not as a virtual store. I know that they
have tried to position themselves differently but I think that is
where they are and will stay. Just my two cents.
Regards,
Sam Sarowitz
Posteritati
239 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
212-226-2207/ Fax: 212-226-2102
Sam Sarowitz
Posteritati
239 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
212-226-2207/ Fax: 212-226-2102
http://www.posteritati.com
Freeman here,
I am surprised this hasn't come up before, but many of the people mentioned today are dealers who operate galleries. It should come as no surprise the shocking amount of money that is spent for rent every month. To that end the price of posters naturally are going to be at their premium. To their credit, the better galleries usually strive for best quality and the service and individual attention is key in the handling of the sale.
But I worry how long these galleries can compete with Ebay especially the week in and week out dumping of poster materials beginning at less than $5 and saturating the marketplace, thus driving the prices down. Some say this is good for the hobby allowing the poster to establish its own equilibrium within supply and demand.
Horseshit. It has horribly tainted a great deal of the buying public to EXPECT posters to be at rock-bottom prices on the internet. Therefore the truly rare and premium posters that once did find their way to Ebay are being listed less and less When they do the results are rarely impressive.
For example of late I have tried to concentrate on materials not often seen on EBay. Valentino Blood and Sand lobbies and the signed Cocoanuts lobby the exception, I have floated out to the sound of silence AS YOU LIKE IT from 1936 with Olivier, STANLEY AND LIVINGSTON 3sheet,, Mae's first starrer SHE DONE HIM WRONG WC, Stan Laurel individual onesheet, LES MEPRIS -French affiche, Snow White WC original release and currently the advance one sheet, THE UNINVITED, DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK Wc and shockinly not even an email inquiry on the large DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST, Brini's 4 Foglio for MIRACLE IN MILAN, a nmint WINGS, and a one of a kind THE WAY OF ALL FLESH mint daybill. and currently a onesheet for THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX, a near mint pressbook of the 1935 production of SHE and the 4 foglio of Cool Hand Luke.
These aren't loser posters ...........or did I not get a memo?
I think the more affluent/informed purchaser has tired of the so very common listings repeated ad-nauseum that he/she is situated in dealing with galleries or individual sellers like myself and very much likes to be wooed and stroked. There lies the success that the Tony Nourmands, Kirbys, Adrian Cowdreys, Sarowitzez, Helmuts, Limageries, Cinemondes, and to a lesser extent the Freemans and Channings (he Chan I didn't want to be by myself) pursue. But is it a law of diminishing returns? How many galleries have folded in the last 5 years. How many have opened.....atta boy Rich.
So there is a market for gallery pricing inasmuch as people will pay the extra for the informed, higher quality and premium material with courteous service and personal attention. But the days of once popular mainstays like Star Wars material, Godfather, Chinatown, The Wild Bunch, Eastwood anything, Bond (dramatically so) and early Disney '37 to present have all tumbled. Depending on the price originally purchased which for many inventory two years old will presetnt challenges in meeting the profit arc require to operate their space and or websites.
But may I give credit where credit is due, I sold 3 posters on MOPO --- Bicycle Thief (Italian 4 foglio), Roaring Twenties (1 sheet) and Shoe Shine Italian in a 2 month span totaling over $20,000.00 SCOTT'S GALLERY is open for biz to be sure.
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