I don't think I've ever even heard of Rookies in Burma - how much should it be
selling for?
And while the R64 Hustler is probably a bad example due to warehouse copies
that have been entering the market for quite awhile I believe the better answer
is that collectors/customers have more perfect information at hand and can make
more educated decisions when deciding to spend their dollars. Sure in the old
days it was easier to have the maybe the only copy of "Poster X" advertised in
a given issue of MCW or at a show or whatever, so it was a little easier to
give the hard sell when the potential buyer didn't know when they would see
another. But as the hobby and information has evolved, collectors are able to
see what exactly is hard to find and what isn't.
Linenbacking is a plus if it was a former lower condition poster that now has a
much better appearance, but could be a detriment if an otherwise mint poster is
backed for no reason (I always assume a poster was linenbacked to improve the
condition and not conservation until shown otherwise, although paperbacked
lobbies are right out - I feel 99.999% of the time they are cards with lots of
problems and backing them was seen as the only way to cover them up).
I honestly don't believe there is a "slump" at all - just educated collectors
that don't want to pay top dollar for crap, and that seems like a good thing.
----- Original Message -----
From: rixpost...@aol.com
To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 4:39 PM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] Would you buy.....? Wy I asked...
It used to be a definite plus if a poster was linen backed. Now it seems as
if the opposite is true. Also, every seller of movie posters on eBay is aware
that we're in a slump right now...unless perhaps you have a poster that's
highly sought after. I had an un-backed Rookies In Burma one sheet in VG
condition that finally sold for fifteen bucks after re-listing it twice. Even
in terms of posters that are highly sought after have to be HIGHLY, HIGHLY
sought after and almost never appearing on the market to command top-dollar
these days.
A perfect example is a 1964 reissue one sheet on The Hustler. One on linen
closed yesterday on eBay with one person bidding at the final second of the
auction at the opening bid of $399. A couple of years ago, I thought those one
sheets sold like clockwork for $700 to $800 or more. But currently, there are
2 more listed on eBay. Consequently, hey aren't "rare" enough to make people
want to spend their money.
In terms of one sheets from the 30's with great artwork---I think it takes
more than great artwork for any one sheet to sell for $99.99. Plus, the fact
that they're linenbacked, Reminds me of so many times when a local guy would
have a beautifully framed one sheet for sale...and he or she would think the
framing would automatically raise the poster's value. Hey, it might raise it's
value if you're in love with the framing job and want to display it on your
wall...but otherwise it's a big pain in the ass. Being linenbacked used to be
a solid selling point---just like an owner of a poster might believe the fact
that its framed might increase a poster's value. Sad to say, it seems like
those days are long gone....
Rick
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: lists...@listserv.american.edu
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: lists...@listserv.american.edu
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
