The Illustration Exchange

Pipswich · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 1

I haven't posted much but have bought from some of you here.

I am very pleased with the prices for the Caldwell, Chaffee and Horne. I didn't expect to get all three.

And, although it isn't even what I collect, the David Cherry Cyborg Safari for 260 framed seems quite a bargain. That Elephant screams Roll Tide to me!

Gratz to all who got what you want and I certainly understand the stock market jitters, but I guess they saved a lot of us some money today!
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Pipswich
Seeking D&D cover illustration from TSR era

Ray Tolomeo · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 158 Location: Northern Virginia

From my point of view, which was in the room, there were definitely some bargains to be had. Strange on the more important pieces, but tough to predict in those lofty price ranges. Would it have been better for the Frank Collection if it wasn't combined with Martignette pieces?

I picked up the Maxwell and the Musgrave. Bid on a number of things along the way, stayed 'till the end, but wasn't willing to pony up the bucks. From the last session, tough for me to understand the prices Elvgren gets compared to Vargas (not that I was in any of those). There were also some other very impressive surprises, but confirmed again that the pre-auction estimates are far out of line for most of the pin-up and sleazy/sexy book cover art (I'm glad I already own a couple of Nagel's). Fun to be there, overall, and worth seeing all of that great art all in one place.

hourofthedragon · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Virginia

Ray, I wish I could have been there; hopefully will attend one sometime. Kudos on your wins.

Pipswich, I knew you were out there having a coo! I'm glad you won what you did, and I knew you were going to bid on those exact pieces Smile

Good job.

And Pat, you are right, too. The other St. John's surprised me, as well, for thier pricing and results. Wish I had some big bucks to spend; it would have been a good time to pick up some beautiful, vintage art at good prices.

I think it simply comes down to the economy. Many don't have the extra "fun" money to spend, so even good low-priced items sit or bidding is limited by budget. Grails will command prices in any market if the right admirers have the money at the right time, I think. The Ruddell was liked by many and obviously coveted by a few who probably read the books and have a strong connection to the image. It is a powerful piece; very intense.

The Whelan's were plain steals.

Congrats to everyone else who won, as well!

Greg

tsrart · Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject:

I think the somewhat reduced frenzy of bidding this time has a couple of causes . . . . one, the overall quality of the Frank pieces this time wasn't nearly as high as last time. Some really great pieces, but a much larger percentage of so-so pieces - just creates a little less buzz.

Second, I have to wonder how much of an effect the little stock market "glitch" might have had - with the market basically falling through the floor almost exactly when the live bidding started, it seems to me that might have scared off at least a few bids, especially on the really big ticket items like the Frazetta and the St. John.

(The bidders on the Bonestell obviously have their money in gold. Very Happy

)

Third, I've noticed over the past several auctions that a lot of the pieces getting bought aren't turning up in Exchange-land, and it makes me wonder if there's been an uptick in offshore interest over the past couple of years. If that's the case, the rapidly falling euro may have cooled off some previously hot bidders as well . . . .

I'm inclined not to blame the economy, generally speaking - plenty of Exchange based sales and artist based sales going on - pretty much a normal volume, as far as I can see. And Lord knows people had plenty of money to spend on naked girls . . . .

Shocked

Pat
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Life is short, art is forever, and the credit card bills to pay for the art last just slightly longer.

hourofthedragon · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Virginia

Pat,

Your wise summations create a great pondering and sense of agreement. You are very wise for your years, Master Pat. Thank you for allowing us a sip from your well of knowledge. })

Signed -
Grasshopper

shortday · Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 4:14 am Post subject: Question

I missed the auction. How much did the Ruddell go for?

tsrart · Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 4:22 am Post subject:

Ray -

The THIEVES WORLD cover went for $5676.25 (with BP) which is probably a record for a Ruddell, and certainly (I'd think) for one of that size.

THE BOG went for $597.50.

Pat
_________________
Life is short, art is forever, and the credit card bills to pay for the art last just slightly longer.

L.J. · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 49

Chesley Bonestell's SATURN VIEWED FROM TITAN was the one I was watching closely. Alas, if I had bid, it would have been about $77,673.00 short of the final price. Smile

The price realized for the THIEVES WORLD cover left me feeling the way I did when Stephen Fabian's SOLITUDE finished at $8962.50 (w/BP) back in October 2008. What the ... ?

Richard Corben's CITY OF THIEVES and Dean Morrissey's FATHER TIME both went for more than I had hoped but less than I expected. I would have been happy with either one of them (if I had the funds). Hopefully, these will show up on the market again in a decade or two.

Not quite the results I expected from this auction. Will these results affect what becomes available in the near future (i.e. August and October)?

Egrove · Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 50 Location: New Zealand

Can't see the Frazetta, or St Johns, in the post-Auction buys or listed as havin been sold post-auction. Unless I'm just looking in the wrong places, presumably Jane has decided to hold on to them until the market is more bouyant. Fair enough.
Ed

Sebastian · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 175 Location: Sydney, Australia

Regarding foreign bidders deserting the market - guess it could be the case.

But the first Frank collection auction was much trickier for international collectors - it happened right at the time Lehman Brothers folded, and exchange rates went absolutely wild. For me they changed more than 30% (negatively) between the start of the auction and payment. 5% changes in a day were common in that period, it was not fun.

This website is not easy to find by accident, so I am not particularly surprised that new collectors aren't joining in large numbers. I would have also thought that international collectors have much stronger reasons to post their collection than US based collectors.