No question that anytime two people really,really want something, the estimates are going to be trumped by the actual bidding frenzy that can drive an auction. I also suspect that poster auctions are put together not just based upon how rare something is, but how much buyer interest is presumed for the particular item within the hobby.
The trends always catch me off guard. Silent material on virtually every title is rare, but how desirable it is another matter. As you say "The silent stuff continues to slide and the further proof of it is there's less of it in every auction." I also don't know that early B westerns are bringing the same kind of money they once did. I haven't done an analysis, but it seems to me that a few years ago I was always surprised how a Buck Jones or Tim McCoy poster seemed to go up in value with every auction. In any event, I am amazed that a little more than two years ago the Dracula Lobby that features Lugosi/Dracula about to bite into the neck of Helen Chandler/Mina (which had an estimate of $15-25,000) sold for almost $45,000 with BP. Meanwhile in the current auction, the passed Jumbo LC for Dracula had an estimate of $20,000 +, with an opening bid set at $10,000. All a mystery to me. ----- Original Message ----- From: Dave Rosen To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 5:55 AM Subject: Re: [MOPO] Heritage Auction at Halfway point ...meanwhile a Rocky drive-in 1-sheet goes for $5,000! ($6,000 with BP.) Pretty homely poster, too. The Man With The Golden Arm banner also went for $5k. I figured it for about $2k (it was one of the few cases where the Heritage estimate - $800 - was too low). It's a beautiful piece for a Saul Bass collector and they really do NOT turn up often. I didn't sit through the entire two Friday sessions, but sat through enough to see that (for 50s sci-fi for example) condition trumps all. Items graded less then Very Fine did not fare as well this time out, though there are always exceptions. And somebody out there really likes 40x60s, I noticed (It Came From Outer Space 3D). The silent stuff continues to slide and the further proof of it is there's less of it in every auction. Overall, so far: fewer passes than last time but most items are only going for the starting bid or just over that. Dave ----- Original Message ----- From: Phillip W. Ayling To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 1:53 AM Subject: [MOPO] Heritage Auction at Halfway point I am puzzled that at this juncture, touchstone pieces like one sheets for This Gun for Hire; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; 2001; The Bride of Frankenstein insert; and the Jumbo LC for Dracula were all passed. Any thoughts? 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.
