[meteorite-list] Tucson Macovich Meteorite Auction

From: MacovichCo_at_aol.com <MacovichCo_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:06:17 2004
Message-ID: <06240E54.6CE76EE5.0BD049F4_at_aol.com>

Greetings!

Requesting select consignments for The Third Annual Macovich Meteorite Auction at the InnSuites in Tucson on Sunday, February 9th.

This is going to be the best auction yet. Just read the 5-part response to the first question below to learn why.

Absentee bids will be accepted. On-line and hard copy catalogs will be available by January 15th. To offer consignments, please fill out the consignment form at the bottom of this correspondence.

We already have specimens of Chassigny, NWA482, Barbotan, L'Aigle, Jonzac, Steinbach, Johnstown, Shalka, Juvinas, Talampaya, Marjalahti, Barwell, Shergotty, Ensisheim, Willamette, Governador Valadares, Efremovka, Vigarano and Mauerkirchen. Many of the aforementioned specimens are without reserves.

If you're thinking of placing a specimen in this auction, please get in touch at your earliest convenience. If you're an exhibitor at the "Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show," you are entitled to consign one lot without having to pay a consignor's fee.

Thank you so much.

With warm regards
Darryl





The Event: The InnSuites Macovich Meteorite Auction
Date: Sunday, February 9th  10.30 AM
Location:  InnSuites, Tucson / Poolside
Early Registration/Preview: February 1-9 - 10.00AM - 6.00PM
Day-of Registration/Preview: February 9 - 9.30-10.30AM
Number of lots: ~110
Targeted price point: $200 to $40,000
Lots with no reserve: ~40%
Consignor's fee: 10.0%
Buyer's fee: 12.5%
Sell-through fee: 3%
Insurance (if desired): 1%
Deadline to apply: December 12th  (12/12/2002)



QUESTIONS:

Why should I consider consigning a meteorite to this sale?
1. Guaranteed Interest. This offering will be heavily promoted. We are also building on an outstanding buzz from the previous sales. As you may be aware, the amount of national publicity received because of the Willamette offering was substantial. As a result, many media outlets are planning on doing advance pieces on this sale.

2. Location. Host to one of Tucson’s preeminent shows, the InnSuites is centrally located and is indisputably Meteorite Central in Tucson. This is the only auction where consignments will be able to be viewed in the days prior to the auction at one of the Tucson shows.

3. Marketing commitment. $4000 in dedicated advertising will be spent publicizing this event. We have retained a top publicist in New York City to spearhead the promotional effort.

4. Claudia Florian, former auctioneer at Sotheby's will be rejoining us to conduct the sale.

5. To further captivate interest, a number of outstanding meteorites including GV, NWA482, Chassigny, Barbotan and Ensisheim among others, will be offered with NO RESERVES;

How many lots can I consign?

No more than eight lots per consignor. Lots to be accepted on a first-come basis.


Can you explain what a “reserve” is?

A “reserve” is the absolute lowest fee that consignors accept PRIOR to the deduction of the 10% consignor's fee. The reserve is not published in the catalog. However, consignments with reserves will be indicated in the catalog with a bullet (*).


Why would I want a reserve?


Reserves are used as a mechanism to protect the consignor so that an item will not sell for too low a price. However, should a consignment’s estimated value be less than $300, no reserve will be allowed.


What are “estimated values”?

A guideline of what it is believed the consignment should bring at auction.


Do you prefer consignments with either no reserve…or low reserves?

Yes. Consignments with no reserves or modest reserves are far more likely to result in a successful sale.


Can I insist on a high reserve?

No. If the reserve you wish to set is, in my estimation, too high, I will refuse the consignment. The philosophy of this sale is to offer choice merchandise that is attractively priced, which will result in a spirited marketplace.


Are high reserves the only consideration in rejecting a consignment?

No. If I believe the consignment competes with too many other similar consignments, it will be rejected. Consignments will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.


As a consignor to the InnSuites auction, how much will this cost me?

If your consignment sells, your cost will be 10% of the hammer price (the highest bid). If your lot fails to sell, the sell-through fee (and insurance, if so desired) will result in a cost of either 3% or 4% (w/insurance) of the reserve price of the consignment.


Are there deadlines to be a consignor?

Yes. As a result of catalog deadlines (paper and cyber), December 12, 2002 [12/12/02] is the deadline for accepting letters of intent for consignments. There will be no exceptions.


There will be a catalog?

There will be printed listing available at the InnSuites room 404, as well as the comprehensive listing at Macovich.com


Is there a deadline for physically accepting consignments?

Consignments will be physically accepted at the InnSuites room 404 commencing on January 30th for Early Preview. The latest a consignment will be physically accepted 12:00 Noon on Sunday, February 2nd. If your consignment does not arrive by this time, it will not be included in the auction. If you are a registered consignor and fail to deliver your consignment, you will still be assessed a 3% sell-through fee.


If my consignment doesn’t sell, how quickly can it be returned?

Very shortly following the sale.


How quickly will I be paid after my consignment sells?

In most cases, you will be paid within 24 hours. However, this will depend entirely on the method of payment on the part of the buyer.


Where do I sign up?

Right here. Please fill-in ALL of the following info for each consignment. A formal consignment form will be sent to you provided that your property is accepted for this auction.

Again, the purpose of this sale is to create a marketplace for fine meteorites that are priced to sell, and to present such fine property to a select audience that is eager to participate in an auction filled with such outstanding buying opportunities.



CONSIGNMENT FORM
To be completed in entirety for every consignment

Name
Street Address
Apartment or Suite
City
State
Zip
Daytime phone
Evening phone

Email
Description of each proposed consignment:
--Slice or End or Complete or Fragment
--No crust or ~25%, ~50%, ~75% or 95+% crust
--Condition and extent of weathering
Measurement (H x W x D):
Weight:
Provenance:
Reserve:
Image availability:
Will you be present at the auction?
Received on Fri 22 Nov 2002 02:26:25 PM PST