The Contra Costa Times reports this afternoon that 20th Century Props has decided to close its business. With an inventory of over 91,000 pieces, items are expected to be auctioned off in late July. [Read more…]
Studio Reseller Hollywood Vault (“Rainmakers”): Current & Future Status?
One of the two studio resellers of original movie and television props and wardrobe that have historically sold very high quantities of product appears to have had very limited sales in recent months and one of its two websites (rain-makers.net) is returning a “404” error status while the other (hollywoodvault.net) is stripped down to “coming soon” presentation. [Read more…]
eBay “Drop-Off” Seller Editorial: Response to Reader Comment
Rick Spector of Stairway to the Stars published a “Reader Comment” to this week’s editorial about eBay “drop-off” sellers (see A Case Against eBay “Drop-Off” Vendors Selling Original Props). Given that Rick takes issue with me on a number of fronts, I took the time to respond to each of his points, and thought it would be appropriate to highlight his concerns.
A Case Against eBay “Drop-Off” Vendors Selling Original Props
As inherently problematic buying “original” props and wardrobe on eBay may be, the risks are that much higher if the seller listing the item is a “drop-off” company. Such offerings introduce additional issues that collectors should be aware of and consider. [Read more…]
LiveAuctioneers Positioning To Take eBay Live Auctions Business
eBay announced earlier this year that they would be dropping their eBay Live Auctions business on December 31, 2008 (see eBay Live Auction Format Being Retired at End of 2008). The “Live Auction” format differs from eBay’s traditional business model of scheduled, “online-only” auctions, and typically (as it relates to original props, wardrobe, and memorabilia auctions from movies and television) provides collectors the ability to bid on items auctioned “live” over the Internet, in real time, in lieu of being present at the actual auction event with people bidding in person, with the auctioneer recognizing “floor” bids, telephone bids, absentee bids, and online bids. It appears that LiveAuctioneers.com is positioning itself to absorb this business and compete in the live online auction space. [Read more…]
Heritage Auction Galleries Forms Media and Client Relations Division
Excerpts from a Heritage Auction Galleries press release (found at news-antique.com): [Read more…]
San Fernando Valley Business Journal: “Memorabilia Auctions Put A Price Tag on Nostalgia”
The latest issue of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, available today, features an article about original movie memorabilia auctions. Focused primarily on Profiles in History’s Joe Maddelena and their “Hollywood Auction 31” event at the end of the month, it also remarks on the Guernsey’s “The Pugliese Pop Culture Collection” held over the weekend, the ongoing NBC Universal online auctions, and David Jackson’s Back Lot Props. [Read more…]
Elstree Props Retiring, Offering Business For Sale
There is a new listing on eBay, Item #260185875224, in which Elstree Props announce intentions to retire and sell their business: [Read more…]