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grapeape

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Everything posted by grapeape

  1. Exquisite artistry and historical story telling. With worrying over the care of my elderly in-laws during these difficult times, this is a neat distraction. I shared the existence of this with them and they found it remarkable as do I.
  2. You made a tremendous effort. Everything you need to know about their operation is summed up in her disdain for authentication. It’s too much trouble.
  3. I don’t know, they said the same thing about Rob Liefield and look at him today...
  4. The evidence is the actual work. This is 100% a fake. It is ok to question everything in these fraudulent auctions. Quick sketches speak to quality detail of a work. The artist maybe not at his or her most focused. And then their is outright fakery which you have throughout this auction. It takes some time collecting but you most certainly can detect and out a fake.
  5. Mr. Itko is one of the greats and this is a rare chance to add a S. D. ITKO to your collection.
  6. He is...at whoever is dumb enough to bid on this. I know most will insist that’s his thumb peeking over his fist. No. It’s a salute to idiocy.
  7. This feels like Sophie’s Choice. How do you pick one (two in this case) of your kids over the other? Awful..
  8. The thought of a disaster too tough to handle for most. Honestly the very idea makes me shudder.
  9. This is a terrible vision you’ve put in our minds buddy. 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 You have me thinking though. Thinking I’m glad I keep a few portfolios in the safety deposit box.😀
  10. I have decided to save my two favorite pieces by “Jake Killby” FAKE and FAKE
  11. Wow Wally Wood designs and introduces the double D D on Daredevils costume! Double D’s can certainly impact bidding interest!!
  12. Largely I’ve avoided feeling fleeced by auction bidding by knowing what I want to pay way ahead of time. I was the underbidder on two items in 2019 where I was tempted to bid one more time but held tight. It makes me worry less about what evil doers are up to if I don’t go beyond what I was willing to spend.
  13. It could be overheated bidding. It could be that cover was a grail for the winner. We can’t go directly to shill. My concern with throwing shill out every time we don’t understand a bidding history we are doing the devils work. Bad actors creating doubt yes but just do your homework. No matter what I hear as disciplined plans to know FMV and not overspend, I hear the laments of those who break their own rules everyday and show me an example where they went crazy. Think of the consignor selling that piece. Probably not thrilled to hear murmurs of impropriety. With eyes wide open I would trust my gut if I thought an auction was tainted. I would however be careful of the things I say without proof. Now for those who think shenanigans and price manipulation are one offs or not that bad you can see how it effects the credibility of auctions today. Let’s make the new owner of the Aparo Cover King or Queen of the Day. If you’re out there please chime in. What motivated you to go hard for this one? I can’t believe out of all the art that we have to ponder the Aparo price mystery looms so intriguing.
  14. I had it at $30 K ......Maybe $50 K was a bargain? I just didn’t see it.
  15. Buddy I think you might have contributed to a rising Phantom Stranger market. Your respect for the character has made even me look closer at the art. I’m not really suspicious about that auction result. Some items just have their day in the sun. Also many items went higher then most budgets and I think 20 K is a typical wad that many collectors have budgeted. If certain wish pieces got away you might see a collector get the Fever for one nice piece from that auction. Sure other comps(lower) or examples(better) May have existed. In the heat of battle bidders simply can lose their minds.