Hey Roger, I know exactly what you mean. I have many a customer that bought "signed" lithos from Circle Gallery and other galleries that got the licensing rights to sell them. My suggestion would be to "donate" them to a charity auction and take a write off on your tax return for the original value.
During the 80's and 90's many companies and art brokers got the idea to market serigraphs as collectables. Artists like Nagel, Yamagata and many others were marketed for outrageous prices. They were basically a signed piece of paper, not even originals. Disney marketed "sericells", again many of them for high prices (minimum about $250) and it is difficult to "resell" those sericells because they are basically no more than a xerox on acetate. As with any "collectable" it is all about supply and demand. If you print a serigraph run of thousands of prints, how can the value possibly be sustained as years go by and the interest in that artist wanes. Only the cream of the crop hold their value and that is very limited. I am surprised, though, that you didn't get any bids on Ebay, especially if you listed it in the Disney category. I have so many Disney collectors, many of them right here on the Mopo group. Anyway, just some thoughts. Sue Heim www.hollywoodposterframes.com<http://www.hollywoodposterframes.com/> (800) 463-2994 ----- Original Message ----- From: Roger Kim<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 8:38 PM Subject: [MOPO] Concerning collecting When I was younger and much more stupid, I went into a Circle Gallery store and bought a bunch of these expensive limited-edition lithographs that were signed by Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. (It you bothered to read the fine print, you learned that Frank and Ollie did not actually create the lithographs. They just signed them.) Many years after these lithos were sold out, I tried to sell them on ebay for less than half price. No one bid. Just recently, I let a charity auction try to sell them, and no one bid. So, tonight I am putting them in boxes, and the Community Services for the Blind truck will pick them up tomorrow morning. Switching gears...A few days ago I mentioned this old piece of cardboard I have, and I was startled to learn that at least 3 Mopoers want it. It just shows that I should never become a dealer, because I have no clue what is valuable. Sticking to my day job, Roger Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com<http://www.filmfan.com/> ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. 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.
