Helmut Hamm wrote: "My question to Ed and Sue from LAMP is: Do you actually still see a 'controversy' over this issue [the authenticity of the "minty white" inserts]? Quite frankly, everybody I know seems to think they are fake. Everybody else on the list, please be so kind and refrain from comments until Ed and Sue have had their say. Thank you."
Helmut wrote this four days ago, and as of yet, no response from Ed. I think it would be really nice if every long time dealer in the hobby needs to weigh in on this subject, either saying they believe them to be genuine, some sort of "re-strikes", or reproductions, or that they don't have enough knowledge or evidence to give an opinion. Certainly, it would be great if new collectors were presented with those opinions, so they could have all the information needed to decide if they want to buy any of these. I have made this the subject of my latest e-mail club poll. I state the following in my club message: "I felt it is long overdue that the members of this club discuss something that has been whispered about all through the hobby for years, namely the "minty white" inserts that have sold in great quantities on eBay. I want to bring this subject "out in the open" and I hope some of the leading voices in this hobby will come out publicly with THEIR views on this subject, either through a message to me that they allow me to print here with their name, or through a post to an online forum (I have long ago made my own views on this subject known, and will do so again in this club next week when I present the results of the following poll). This NEW poll asks, "My opinion of the authenticity of "minty white" inserts is (see below for a detailed explanation of what these are):" The listed choices are: I believe the "minty white" inserts are genuine posters that were printed at the time of release. I believe the "minty white" inserts are re-strike posters that were printed at the time of release. I believe the "minty white" inserts are re-strike posters that were printed after the time of release. I believe the "minty white" inserts are reproductions that were printed long after the time of release. I believe there is not enough evidence to make an absolute decision on these either way. Other (please explain what your other opinion is) IMPORTANT NOTE: One of the most "controversial" subjects in the movie paper collecting hobby are the "minty white" inserts which are endlessly sold on eBay (these are top titles from the 1970s and 1980s which are printed on a different sort of paper stock from that of any insert from the same period any collector has ever seen). The inserts are printed on a "whiter than white" paper that is glossy on both sides, which has earned them the well-deserved nickname of "minty white" inserts. Since the beginning of eBay, hundreds (or thousands) of EACH of these titles have been sold, and there is seemingly an endless supply of each. In the early days of eBay, these titles sold for roughly the same prices as known originals, but in recent years, their prices have dropped significantly, and it is rare that they are purchased by anyone who is not a brand new collector. Many collectors purchased these early in their collecting career, and have found them difficult or impossible to re-s! ell. Most collectors and dealers have an opinion as to the originality of these posters! Some say they are originals from a "warehouse find", others say they are "re-strikes" that were printed from the original plates, either at the time or later, and some say they are flat out reproductions, printed years after the fact. Pick whichever of the choices below best describes YOUR personal opinion of these "minty white" inserts (feel free to expand on your opinion in the "Comments" box below, and please be sure to say whether you have ever bought or sold any of these inserts)" If any MoPo members are NOT members of my e-mail club, you can join by going to http://www.emovieposter.com/mail/clubsignup.php (only club members can vote in the poll) I will post the results of the poll on MoPo next week, along with my thoughts. I hope that during the coming week, Ed and Sue will give their thoughts, and that many other longtime dealers will post as well. Thanks to Helmut for once again raising this issue. There may be lots of "controversy" over this subject, but there is no disputing that hundreds of thousands of dollars (maybe millions!) have been spent on these inserts, and there is no disputing that they currently sell for a fraction of the price of known originals, so this certainly is an important issue for our hobby! Bruce Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
