The importance/value of an auction catalog

[Abravefan11]

Originally Posted by bijoem

the internet is great for finding stuff you know you want.

the printed book is great for finding out you want stuff you never knew you wanted.

Exactly!

[Sixtofan]

I agree with Rob. Although I live most of my life and work online, I absolutely always bid on things that I did not notice while browsing the catalog online. The advantage of the paper catalog is I actually look at each lot and due to a lack of impulse control bid on things I never would have otherwise

[painthistorian]

better not bring those catalogs into certain bookstores such as Brentanos, you may get flagged!

[barrysloate]

I always find things in catalogs that I might miss online. Computers are great for bidding, but not so great for browsing.

[Bicem]

I browse online just fine and don't really use the catalogs much anymore, but that's just me.

[Leon]

If there is a large auction, say 1000 or more lots, give me a catalog. If the auction is 300-400 or less, online is just fine...but that is just me. I always opt out of catalogs if I can save a buck and have choice .

[Cat]

I rarely look through the catalogs and I am sure I miss things that I may bid on, but oh well. The REA most recent bids counter was killer for me though. I bid on at least a half-dozen items that I normally wouldn't have. One lot I won and another I was the underbidder.

[Jewish-collector]

Good points Rob !!!

The question of auction catalogs came up at one of the previous Net54 National dinner speeches by (I believe) Josh Evans of Lelands. He mentioned that most, if not all, of the high end bidders want to see all of the lots in a nice compact form. He said they take the major auction catalogs on business trips, planes rides, etc,.... He said they don't have time to browse the lots online, even if they are very proficient with technology.

I think auction catalogs are a fantastic resource. I just wish someone would create a master index of all lots/items of all of the catalogs, so we as collectors and researchers could locate a certain card or piece of memorabilia very quickly and easily.