cstojano

It seems silly, but my observations suggest that just framing some of this art for presentation would apparently drive sales. I think some of this early concept work needs to be coaxed to attractiveness. In terms of markets, however, I wonder how Bonhams came up with a low to mid 7 figure estimate for Robby the Robot. https://www.awn.com/news/robby-robot-sell-bonhams

I am learning this is something of an odd and idiosyncratic world. Coming from my collecting history perspective, concept art and originals would command a premium, but it doesn't seem to work that way really. Oddly, many of the 3D props I find to be rather cheap looking and of course there are tremendous issues with conservation and display. As much as I like some of the costumes, to display such a thing on a mannequin wouldn't really work for me. But then I don't get a storyboard copy "used in the film" really being of such interest either. Also, it only takes a few minutes of browsing prop collecting boards to come away with a healthy dose of skepticism for the authenticity of some of these items. For example, a production clapperboard is often matched to "behind the scenes" photos to establish authenticity. But if you can see said idiosyncratic damage and wear in the photograph what's to prevent someone else from doing the same and faking it. The entire concept of screen matched seems somewhat dubious as a result. Concept art, however, I would venture to say that much of this has not seen the light of day before its offering.

The other thing I noted was how cagey they are with running bids to just under reserve to try to entice a real bidder. Lot 447 sold for 1200, and I don't think these prices include the bp.

I won one of the Ron Cobb sword designs for Conan the Barbarian, my first prop store purchase. The Star Lord mask was indeed making waves in the postmortem dissections. And McQuarrie (like Frazetta) can scribble on a piece of paper and have it sell for hundreds. I would have liked to win one of the the Norman Reynolds Raiders of the Lost Ark pieces, but had already spent money and suffered the inevitable adrenaline dump that I experience during auctions. My resolve failed.

Do the Sunday auctions take a hiatus in the fall? The prelim listings go from Sept 25 to Jan 8th. Wasn't sure if this was a glitch or not.

Also an opportunity to pick up an elusive Island of Dr. Moreau page I know nothing about this book but man there are a lot of page being offered as well.

Ah thanks, that piece has been there forever, but also sold for 15k at the last CL auction. Unclear if its still for sale or not.

Got a link to the Frazetta? The search function is failing on all accounts, and now giving me a weird promotional message.

Its a total different policy from homeowners, which covers the stuff. Its for firearms, coins, stamps, guns, jewelry, camera, furs, silverware, instruments and a category they call "fine art." But fine art here means " Artwork, antique furniture, oriental rugs and antique musical instruments or guns that are used solely for display. " When I called they said no to collectibles, no action figures, comics, and things like that. But original art, hand drawn pieces would seem to easily qualify as artwork. I know I asked this when I called initially but I will call again.

That value is a mix of cost basis and FMV, given my penchant for esoterica I suspect my cost basis is actually higher than FMV on some items (that's a whole other matter I suppose). I have pretty high confidence they would pay as I do all my banking, auto, homeowners with them. But now I am concerned. Is there a specific phrase I should use? Because I don't think "some guy online said you are full of s--t" is going to be productive

So I just looked at mine and it is 59 dollars a year for coverage of 56k worth of items. I think this was considerably cheaper than even CIA (cannot remember my rates). I suspect you have much more to insure than I and there may be a non-linear relationship between value and price. This is for Valuable Personal Property. I know USAA offers collectibles insurance but I think that just links to a third party like Minico. I know people like CIA because you don't have to itemize items < 5k, but I like the itemization as it forces me to get organized. Now if I only I had kept better records/receipts at purchase...

I can tell you how CIA will treat you. They will drop you. I made two claims within the same year, one for 900 one for 1400. Both were shipping losses. They were very nice and paid very quickly but didn't renew the policy. This is odd because they locked in a loss with me. I would still be using their service if I could. Now I cannot get collectibles insurance as the other company that people often recommend declined to consider it given the loss reports. Lesson learned. I have been told CIA would likely write me a dealer policy (for more money) but I haven't checked back yet. For non-collectibles like OA I use a special policy with USAA called valuable personal property. I list everything with an uploaded picture and the premium is very fair. I would only trigger in the event of a catastrophic loss, however. This is not for collectibles but for original art it works.

Actually I think it is pretty horrible and like all Frazetta SS on ebay just thrown out for the sake of it either advertising or hoping an uninformed buyer comes along. You can buy a 9.0 for less than this. Its funny how demand drives Vamp 1 pricing though, this seems by far to have been the most signed issue he did but it also seems to be the key that SS collectors choose for their "1 and done" SS lineup (which is totally understandable). Chris

Decided to give this a shot after harassing all of the CAF listings. Looking for pages from the movie adaptations for Conan the Barbarian, Raiders of the Lost Ark and maybe Temple of Doom. Thanks Chris

Absolutely, People always say to collect what you love. Fine. But if I did that, and your point wasn't 100% valid, then my low 5 figure Bakshi collection would be a high 5 figure Bakshi collection, and I would absolutely be dying holding that stuff. Feeling like the only guy in the room with money is not fun I envy the liquidity of old school OA and vintage SW collections.

This is true. I have no reason to collect Oceanic art, but I do. I found an eBay listing for some old arrows, which led me to a website and eventually to a Christies Paris auction. I bid on and won my first piece. 13 years later I am still hooked though cannot really afford anything decent anymore. There is nothing driving this market, nothing. In fact the dealers and collectors seem to do everything possible to discourage new collectors. There is almost 0 online presence, almost nothing is priced (price on request - bane of my existence), yet prices remain pretty strong for the top end stuff. I think if people have the money and come to appreciate the thing for what it is (whatever that thing is) then people will collect it. Anyone know techniques for finding people who appear on Antiques Roadshow to harass them for pieces shown A replay of a Cincinnati 2012 episode features some artwork I am obsessing over. chris edit: this is my 250th post here. Why am I here? Buscema movie adaptation Conan pages that I found through Google images on CAF (pretty low rent stuff). I forget what I was looking for but that was it (still don't own anything from the movie specials for Conan or Raiders of the Lost Ark - actively seeking both). Another anecdote, I suppose, but there are no fundamentals explaining my interests in OA.

No doubt, a collection came to market over the last few years of Rankin Bass cels from the Tolkien films they did. I grabbed what I could but wish I had bought them all. Very few collectors of this material but the prices are pretty high. The source seems to have dried up.

I understand the two were related through marriage, this story sort of confirms what I had heard about a somewhat interesting relationship between the two. FWIW I am pretty shocked that Ken Kelly's cover to the People of the Black Circle did not sell at Profiles. I think its a phenomenal piece of work.

will pm you here, if that is ok.

Thanks for the mockup. Mitch I sent an email to you through your website. Did you get it? Thanks Chris

Gene What is going on with the prelims for 16 given one is with Koch art and the other you photographed at SDCC. Doesn't appear to be the same piece. Chris

I'd be interested in similar discussions of the splashes as well. Thanks for bumping.

And let's not forgot use tax. I learned that lesson the hard way having received a tax bill+penalties+interest three years after leaving a certain state known for its poor fiscal health.

Crickets... People won't comment in the specific but yes all gains are to be reported, and I believe taxed at a worse rate than income and "normal" cap gains . TPTB don't like people spending money on art and baubles that increase in value. Edit: you also used the phrase "on an annual basis". I am not sure you should assume it works that way either (surely there is someone here who knows the rules) because there may be limits on the amount of loss claimed. For example, I could see someone saying they made 10k on this sale, and lost 10k on another sale so my annual net is 0. But this is logical. I could also see a situation where the profit of 10k is considered somewhat separate from the loss of 10k because this isn't a business you are participating in but a hobby. The strategy I use is to collect what I like, which is fringe as hell, to ensure I beg people to break even on anything that I sell.

Yeah I don't get how you buy anything without alerting the authorities. Carry that much cash and you risk seizure, transfers of that amount must alert someone looking for their cut.