auction overload?

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Posted By: bruce Dorskind

Whils there is much talk that there "is too much material" between the Robert Edwards
and Mastro Auctions, we do not believe this to be the case.

Sotheby's and Christies regularly conduct nearly simultaneous auctions dedicated
to a high end collectible area such as Impressionist paintings. Rarely has the
amount of material offered impacted the price.

The fact is that the average lot in the forthcoming Mastro and Robert Edward Auctions
will bring in about $6500 with the 19% buyers fee,

The two auctions between them have about 3000 lots. That's $20 M+ in total sales.

Given the state of the economy, the demand for super rare baseball memoribilia,
the explosive growth in graded type card collecting and the renewed interest
in 19th century and early 20th material, we would not be surprised if the total
prices realized (for the two auctions) exceeds $25 M.

There will be 2000 differenent bidders, and probably at least 200 (probably
more) with a net worth in excess of $10 million.

The one item where there will be no shart fall is CASH.

As for the average collector, we're not sure who that is, but unless he or she
has a great deal of surplus cash or is willing to spend a great deal of his/her
disposable income on the auction items, "the average collector" should enjoy
the catalogs. His impact on the auctions will be miminal, at best.

The average collector is not the target market for Olympic Constitutions, E 107
Wagners or E 125 American Caramels, not to mention PSA 8 Delongs.... The
competition for the best items will be between the rich and the wealthy,
and perhaps a few savvy investors.

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List