[meteorite-list] Blaine Reed Tucson Notes & AD

[AL Mitterling]

Greetings Tucson attendees,

Here is my two grams worth on the auctions, dealer rooms, participation 
and parties. First I know that the dealer rooms were the first 
participants at the show many years back. Robert Haag probably was the 
first real dealer to set up and offer meteorites at the show. Other 
dealers soon followed as they offered a much needed service. Back then 
few people knew what a meteorite was and didn't think you would ever be 
able to own one or offer them for re-sale. Dealers are paying about two 
thousand or more to be a part of the show (which is suppose to be a 
wholesale show) and to rent the rooms from the show organizers. Travel 
there and setting up and time are other factors and costs. Obviously 
this is a sizable investment for them and they need a fair return.

Several years back someone decided to have an auction, not sure who but 
I would think it was the upscale auction from a New York dealer or 
possibly Michael Blood. As Blaine said those tended to compliment the 
dealers and no real problems. As the auctions caught on, a number of 
people would reserve specimens in some rooms and then go to the auctions 
in order to bid on items. Apparently after bidding on a number of things 
at auction, the same people who reserved specimens in dealer rooms would 
go back toward the end of the show and "change their minds" on the items 
they had taken off the shelves. Worse yet some didn't bother to return 
and let the dealer know they no longer wanted their reserved items. This 
results in the dealers selling less and costing them.

As the auctions gained favor and higher attendance a lower volume of 
sales were realized by room dealers. Of course it is more complicated 
than just this. There are now more dealers than ever, it is more 
difficult for foreign collectors to travel due to past events, other 
dealers have offered their own auctions to counter the other auctions 
and get people back in their rooms to look around. The show is not 
nearly as large as it once was due to the internet and rock and gem 
attendees having a lower count these days. I am sure ebay plays a factor 
to some degree. There are also a number of party events that compete for 
attendees time.

One trend that bothers me is the number of deals I see being made by 
"dealers" who don't have rooms but make the rounds to other dealer 
rooms. In some cases deals are being made in the paying dealer's room 
and has nothing to do with his inventory. To me this is very rude and if 
participants can't go outside or meet in a motel room to conduct their 
business they should at least offer the room dealer a percentage of the 
profit they are making in the offended dealers room. Courtesy seems to 
have vanished these days.

There are few dealers that have the knowledge and understanding of 
meteorites these days like Blaine Reed does. I think he is a vital part 
of the show and it will be a sad day if he can no longer afford to 
attend these shows. I recommend that if you attend the show, at least 
take a little time out to visit some of the old timers like Blaine. I 
think you will be pleased by his display, his helpful manor, his 
knowledge of the subject and best his reasonable prices. There may be a 
day when all this dries up and the pilgrimage to Tucson will no longer 
be and a subject that we only talk about. As dealers close their doors 
there will be less an less reason to attend the show.

With all this said I hope no one takes offense as it is not directed at 
any particular party. Rather it is an effort to get some of the other 
attendee's thoughts on the subject and stimulate discussion. While I am 
guilty of attending some of the auctions and understand the allure of 
going to them I still make the rounds to the rooms (as many as I can in 
the time I have) and spend a fair amount with them as well. Part of 
Tucson is the socializing, seeing what all is available from years past, 
and getting an idea of what items may become available in the near 
future. I hope to see others comment and share their thoughts on all of 
this.

BTW, I do like the idea of scheduling a hotel so we can deal the 
organizers out but don't know the legalities of doing this. I might be 
willing to set up my collection if we ever went this way. Perhaps a show 
could be scheduled in some other town, although I would miss the 
restaurants in Tucson. Best!

--AL Mitterling