Well said meeley man, on all accounts. If I was attempted to insult or ding me in some way I'd probably have said things in much the same way.
That said, I've made no knee-jerk comments and I do think my comments through, I don't spend all day on a chat room with a high multitude of comments to my pseudonym, but I do take time to think before speaking.
I have no vendetta, nor rage issues.
If I did, I would have posted when that incident happened.
Actually, ironically, I feel for the fella selling the four items that initially caused my posting. I feel bad for him. Either for getting took, or simply because others said he did when in fact neither is known to be accurate.
If he did get took, he should contact Ducoso and settle in some manner.
Then, well, then Doug said what he did about someone I've done business with and happen to think differently about that piece Doug mentioned, and, I have seen the provenance on that piece.
Of course it would behoove Doug to drag down ebay. Hmmm.
I happen to be your normal gen X comic fan who happens to collect comic art and gets tired of people who make comments without wisdom/knowledge/understanding, or proof. In this case I felt for that seller, and no, I'm not him. I likely would have kept my mouth shut if people hadn't done exactly as most would and suggest I'm Ducoso, which, would be silly of him to do.....keep a negative thread about him alive.
If a person doesn't like a piece of art for sale or suspects it's legitimacy, pass, but it doesn't mean the seller (like the guy selling the four pieces) has any knowledge of it, nor that he even suspects it himself.
More likely he's selling something because he needs the funds for something else.
It drags our hobby down when people are non stop accusing so many pieces as being fake when there is nothing more than opinion and conjecture about a piece of art.
It does, it drags this hobby down.
Does Ducoso knowingly do wrong? Very likely, since 99% of his stuff is fake.
Does the ivory guy, highly not likely since 99% of his stuff is real, I've bought from him before. Has he been took himself and bought fake art. Perhaps, but idon't know that and if he did I don't think he knew it, he doesn't seem that sort.
When we see a piece we know, Know to be fake, someone should notify the seller. That's when they see a piece they KNOW to be fake; that's what should occur rather than say stay away and post on a thread on the Web that said seller is to be avoided.
Otherwise we drag down or hobby and begin to diminish sources that we can buy from. Sources such as ebay. What would we do if ebay stopped allowing the selling of original art? Or they limit who is allowed to sell... (by restricting civil rights). People such as the ivory tower guy.
Eventually we are left with a much limited or diminished number of sources where we can buy art. , I mean I've bought published work from ivory guy that iotherwise wouldn't if Doug had his way. Btw, I'm sure Doug would love to see ebay stop the selling of art.
Continuing on, that guy, the ivory guy, buys collections and flips them. How do i know? Because he sends me emails a couple times a year asking if I'm selling mine, though I've not heard from him much at all recently.
Finally, i love most of this hobby. Some things are unavoidable like ducoso, but I don't think pointing the finger at the guy selling the four pieces is the proper path.
I have said my peace and wish you well and hope your new year is prosperous.