By extension, Heritage Auctions could have provided scans of each square inch at 30x, and someone would/could note that 60x scans at each centimeter square should have been provided. If an additional poster (with some restoration) may be provided for comparison, why not 2 additional depending on amount of restoration? There was no hype, the description stated a previous owner and a restoration expert, as well as the previous availability in the market. It is the job of the buyer to distill any / all information when making an informed decision. Grey Smith / Heritage Auctions certainly need no assistance from me to defend their business model, but to imply/suggest that the auctioneer should be tasked with (apparent unending) disclosure could create disinterest, devalue the poster, harm the consignor, and negate future business (from consignors and buyers). ad
--- On Mon, 8/31/09, James Richard <[email protected]> wrote: From: James Richard <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [MOPO] FRANKENSTEIN 1/2 sheet vs TC from Heritage To: [email protected] Date: Monday, August 31, 2009, 5:37 AM Grey (and others commenting on this aspect), I sympathize with you in this situation. I really do. I've auctioned items worth many thousands before myself and agonized over writing the descriptions. I did point out in my post that virtually ALL auctioneers and sellers engage in this kind of thing to one degree or another -- it's part of doing business. And I think it's important to remember and acknowledge that you seem to have been instrumental in uncovering the extent of this current scandal. Note I said that the half sheet description made it "sound" like a silk purse, not that it "claimed" it was a silk purse. Technically, there was nothing "wrong" with the description, it's just that the overall effect did a lot to make it sound like it was worth the estimated $25,000 to $35,000. OK, sure, that *is* what a good auctioneer is supposed to do: hype the consignment. But at some point that part of the job description can come into a conflict of interest with other responsibilities of the job description. My real point was that if a good picture of the title card (which had the same art) had been shown with the auction, then the bidders could have made a direct comparison themselves at the time and so made a "more educated" evaluation. But, then, there ain't no law saying auctioneers or dealers need to accommodate their bidders to that extent. But by the same measure of value you cite, doesn't the fact that there were no other known examples mean that extraordinary measures were called for prior to and during the auction of this particular item? I do personally feel that the higher the hammer price is likely to be, that a greater responsibility must logically fall upon on the auctioneer/dealer to do more to insure accuracy and authenticity. I also think there has to be some consideration given to the fact that we are now in the 21st century, with all this new technology, and so "let the buyer beware" can't continue to be the Golden Rule (and ultimate rationale) it once was. As for the other questions you asked about how far one should go and where it all ends -- I think those answers are something only your own organization (and all the others) will have to decide upon for themselves. It's a challenge, no doubt. I wish you and everyone else all the best in grappling with this issue. -- JR Smith, Grey - 1367 wrote: JR You mention "silk purse from a...", perhaps, but when it is the only sow's ear on earth, it is assuredly, in many people's eyes, a silk purse! Concerning including an image of the title card next to the half sheet, not a bad idea but where does that end? Should we end up trying to offer comparisons on all we sell. This is exactly why we continue to offer the service of high res images forever on our site and are the only poster seller that does so. As Heritage has always suggested, educate yourself on anything you purchase. Thus the reason for the link to comparables on every page of our auctions. This is also something that only Heritage offers to their bidders. From: MoPo List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of James Richard Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 2:40 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [MOPO] FRANKENSTEIN 1/2 sheet vs TC from Heritage I might be so audacious and impertinent as to suggest that a responsible and highly-regarded auction house catering to the very well-to-do and regularly selling tens of millions of dollars of high-priced collectibles every year would have taken it upon themselves to include a high resolution picture of the title card along with the half sheet auction so that the bidders could have made the comparison themselves at the time of the sale. But I guess I'm just being naive... despite the cries of shock and horror over the last few days, "let the buyer beware" is still the Golden Rule in our society. -- JR Douglas Ball wrote: Side by side, yes, but when the auction took place it looked damn good! Doug ----- Original Message ----- From: JOHN REID Vintage Movie Memorabilia To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 7:04 PM Subject: Re: [MOPO] FRANKENSTEIN 1/2 sheet vs TC from Heritage There is indeed a very big difference between the two. 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. 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. 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. 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.
