[Fred]

First off I want preface this by saying I mean no disrepect to anyone that collects or sells the following:

Newspaper clippings that are encapsulated.

A while back there was a seller on ebay that used to cut things out of publications, encapsulate them in their own plastic slabs and sell them. People thought it was absolutely ludicrous that someone would do such a thing. It appears it wasn't too lucrative because I haven't seen much of that stuff sold by the seller recently. However, I've seen "woodcuts" that have been encapsulated. I don't get this. Is this any different than cutting a picture from a publication and having a "reputable" TPG company slab it as authentic? I've seen a few of these recently and I was wondering if anybody else thinks this is a bit odd or even silly? Why would a "reputable" TPG slab these things? Is business that bad? Am I off base here?