T-198 Blue Crystal

[John B.]

One of these just sold today for $750 at auction! It was open package; maybe a new record price?

[CollinW]

One of these just sold today for $750 at auction! It was open package; maybe a new record price?

Was that the one on Potter&Potter?

I don't get it. I've seen them on ebay recently sell for $50-$60 range.

[CollinW]

Final price $900!

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[KirkW]

$900!!! WOW!

I have one I’ll sell for half that price if anyone is interested.

[David DeTenyo]

I actually don't believe anyone would pay prices like that - smells like some kind of shill bidding/scam/... . There's one for sale on Ebay for 160 USD which still is a ridiculous price imho.
I bought the Disney version not that long ago (it uses rubber bands - the special card the original had, is not included).

[John B.]

Hi Collin, yes, that was the one! I was watching the auction live yesterday. Melting Loop was another one that sold for a lot (although it's a very rare piece).

David, they are a reputable auction house known for selling rare and collectible magic items. I suppose there may be a mechanism to cancel bids, but they are supposed to be binding.

[CollinW]

These were the two that recently (01/22) sold on ebay.

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I still don't get how Potter&Potters auctions bring in those kind of numbers.

[David DeTenyo]

...
David, they are a reputable auction house known for selling rare and collectible magic items. I suppose there may be a mechanism to cancel bids, but they are supposed to be binding.

Yes, I realize that and I don't think P&P is involved in any way. Remember the thread I deleted made by someone called 'Potter & Potter auctions' a week or so ago? I banned the person who created the thread.

I might be wrong, but to me it seems someone is trying to make it look rare Tenyo is worth (a lot) more than it actually is. And a lot of (new) Tenyo collectors fall into this trap.

Rare Tenyo is expensive for sure, especially when it is BNIP. But 900 USD for a trick that was common sold a few years ago? No ... sorry ... smells like fraud

[EvanS]

$900???
Who in their right mind...

[lnlver]

There was an Alan Warner piece that sold for over $2,000!

[David DeTenyo]

There was an Alan Warner piece that sold for over $2,000!

Do you remember which one lnlver? A lot of people don't realize Alan still makes effects to order! I don't know if he still makes them himself but you can still order (it does take several months before they are finished/sent). I've seen several Alan Warner pieces sold on ebay for 2 - 3 x the price he asks when you order from him.

The only magic items that, in my opinion, are worth prices like 2000 USD are tricks made by Richard Gerlitz (apart from stage illusions of course). They are absolutely superb in quality (from what I've heard). Unfortunately I don't own any of his items .

I really don't understand why some people are willing to pay so much for magic tricks (which are basically toys if you're not a professional magician ) ... . Agreed, when you're a die hard collector I understand you're paying high prices for let's say an absolute mint/BNIP Floating Lady, but still ... 900 USD for Blue Crystal? Seriously???
Also, a lot of magic items sold on for example Ebay for very high prices are actually BAD tricks, not even wordt 1/10th of what people try to sell them for.

But hey, I really don't care that much ... I have quite a massive collection of magic items from Tenyo, Warner, Magic Wagon, Magiro, Pohle, ... . If people are willing to pay ridiculous prices if one day I start selling some of these items, so be it

[Olaf S]

There was an Alan Warner piece that sold for over $2,000 !

The prices obtained seem to be related to financially well-off people
In recent years, the demand for magic tricks seems to have increased
Mini Mental by Alan Warner just sold for $635 which i find also too high
Am always amazed at what high prices T.P. adhesive foil tricks are bought

[CollinW]

There was an Alan Warner piece that sold for over $2,000!

Do you remember which one lnlver?

Could be The Gillyman

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[John B.]

The collectibles market in general has been strong, especially during the pandemic with people stuck at home and turning to hobbies.

I think the other thing that helps Potter and Potter, over just purchasing from an 'unknown' collector on Ebay or elsewhere, is that they have a reputation as being a specialist auction house and maybe that makes customers feel more comfortable making the purchase?

I have purchased some items from them in the past- they were as described.

[lnlver]

I was interested in the Eddy Taytelbaum pieces myself, but I didn't bid on any due to bad timing issues. I don't think I would have been willing to match what some people ended up paying for them.