Blackie on eBay

jsimps501

I’m looking for some opinions. There is currently a Blackie print on eBay. The seller who only has 4 reviews originally listed it as 1 of 8. When I examined the pictures, it’s framed and part of the frame is covering the bottom of the print as well as the entire border. so, it cut off the 125 on the bottom. It is actually 118/125. For whatever reason the seller thought the 118 was 1/8. I asked numerous questions of the buyer. He won’t take it out of the frame. States his father purchased it online. Won’t elaborate or follow up with any more answers to my questions. Changed the title of the auction to reflect 118/125 when I informed him. I guess my question is this…with so many red flags is this just a young kid selling his dad’s print with little information or is there a lot more to this auction? Curious as to people opinion. Does eBay provide security should this print be bought and it’s not as advertised? Thanks!

Uncle Snuffy

I saw the auction for it yesterday & at 1st glance I was surprised at the low price.  But then I re-read the description which says “framed + mounted”.  Based on that description it appears the poster has been dry mounted which in my opinion kills the poster’s value.  But maybe since these so rarely come up for purchase, $6,500 is the going rate for one that is dry mounted?  Or maybe someone won’t care that it’s dry mounted?  Or maybe someone is willing to take the chance that it’s not dry mounted?

The pictures aren’t great but the signature & # look consistent with my poster.  There does appear to be some scuffing within the print so I would take that into account as well.

Too bad the seller isn’t more forthcoming.

Not sure if this has been helpful but it’s my 2 cents on it.  

 - Uncle Snuffy

  

darwinstheory

If anyone has one of these and would like to leave it for me in their will, that'd be awfully swell!

jsimps501

Thanks Uncle Snuffy, that’s actually very helpful. It also says it’s matted and framed and I could not for the life of me see any matting but then again I’m getting old and need better glasses. The seller got back to me and said his father left his whole collection of over 1000 posters to him. It was obtained online either through a “reputable source or auction house” for what that’s worth. I did my best to compare the signatures to others online and it appears consistent but who is framing this over the edition numbers!?!? I’m torn 

Uncle Snuffy

I agree.  No matting that I can see.  One would think if someone had a collection of over 1,000 posters they would be knowledgeable about proper framing & care of them.  But then again the poster is nearly 25 years old so maybe the owner at the time didn’t have that knowledge?

If you would be ok buying this poster under the assumption that it is dry mounted with scuffing in the artwork then you could make an offer based on that assumption.  For example:  You might pay up to $10K for a mint non-dry mounted Blackie.  But you’d only pay $5K for one that is dry mounted & not perfect.  Then if you offer $5K & it is received with scuffs & is dry mounted you’re comfortable with what you paid.  & if it comes non-dry mounted you come out ahead?

It has been quite a while since I last posted on the forum but talk of a Chicago\Blackie poster brought me out from under my rock….

 - Uncle Snuffy

jsimps501

Hahahahaha it’s much appreciated. He sent me a picture and it is dry mounted. Based off the picture it looks like he came into a large amount of posters from his father. I’m still torn and lord only knows how long it’s been stuck in that frame and what it looks like underneath…..

Uncle Snuffy

Well, that's too bad.  There were just so few of them that made it out that seeing one up for sale, dry mounted or not, is rare.  

 - Uncle Snuffy

tempo_n_groove

Look up closely at the Missing Link logo.  There is a lot of bleeding in that.  Maybe a reprint?  Without being able to look at it up close I would steer clear of this.

Gibson

tempo_n_groove said:

Look up closely at the Missing Link logo.  There is a lot of bleeding in that.  Maybe a reprint?  Without being able to look at it up close I would steer clear of this.

+1. Too many signs of utter disappointment upon purchase to ignore.

jsimps501

I know it’s truly breaking my heart. I’ve zoomed in on so many parts of the print but all that does is take it out of focus. I would have to see this in person. I’ve had so many prints framed but I’m still trying to talk myself in to this. Once something is dry mounted that’s it correct? It’s not coming off whatever surface it’s mounted to without damage?!

on2legs

That poster is great.  If I was at that show I might sell a kidney to get one. 

tempo_n_groove

jsimps501 said:

I know it’s truly breaking my heart. I’ve zoomed in on so many parts of the print but all that does is take it out of focus. I would have to see this in person. I’ve had so many prints framed but I’m still trying to talk myself in to this. Once something is dry mounted that’s it correct? It’s not coming off whatever surface it’s mounted to without damage?!

Drymounting is gluing.  It's not like the archival way of doing movie posters which an accepted practice for those...  That is water reversable.