Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/03/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I long ago ceased to apply any rational economic principals to fetishists/collectors' markets. I sold a vintage model of a Super Constellation on eBay several months ago to a Swiss collector who thought that its "true value" was close to USD $1000. I thought that it was worth about USD $25 when I bought it at a local flea market. Go figure. Again, on the basis of the evidence, all the participants in this recent "scandal" thought that the lens was underpriced, to what degree and against what standard is anyone's guess. Would any of this been an issue if someone posted a mint. Noct. for sale at USD $1000? I doubt it. Lowi was admirably straightforward when he explained that his motive in the whole business was "to turn a quick buck." I often quote (from memory--so excuse any inaccuracy) a line from Joyce's Stephen Daedalus when I explain the origins of market capitalism to my students (to distinguish it from the "moral economies" of pre-modern societies--and to introduce the subject of historical antisemitism, as well): "A merchant is one who buys cheap and sells dear, Jew or Gentile as he may be." If I may venture a judgement, what's distasteful about the whole thread is its venality or, rather, such naked exposure of it. It's hardly polyannish to wish that this sort of thing remained off-list. Heavens, one of the great pleasures of LUG conversation is that it so seldom has anything to do with the world we actually inhabit. And on this note I quit the subject. Chandos At 07:20 PM 3/7/01 +0100, you wrote: >Chandos Michael Brown wrote: > > > At issue here is an underpriced commodity, which folk covet for various > > purposes. Collier, in the spirit of LUG comradeship, however ill-advised, > > pointed out its true market value. > >Chandos, > >"Underpriced" at more than the new price ? > >"True market value" thanks to whom ? > >;-) > >Lucien Chandos Michael Brown History and American Studies College of William and Mary www.wm.edu/cas/asp/faculty/brown