Post #52507 by TheMuggler on Wed, Sep 24, 2003 7:34 PM

On 2003-09-24 17:24, martiki6 wrote:
Still...if there was a signed limited edition in one glaze, and an open ended, unsigned run in another glaze, wouldn't that make everyone happy?

I was just about to post the same thing! I would love it if they did that for these "Limited Editions."

Unfortunately, I believe one of the reasons for making these items so limited is to drive the secondary market value way up very quickly. Shag mugs selling for stupid amounts of money days after they are made available (and sell out within hours) is a boost to the market value of all Shag's art. It perpetuates the "collectible" value of his art and merchandise.

Just watch -- once Shag issues a LE 500 run mug that doesn't sell out within days, the next edition will be reduced, maybe 250. At least that is what happened with the prints.

I don't begrudge Shag or anyone else for this strategy, (in fact I think it is smart business), but I hope everyone complaining about what happened with the Disney merch understand that Shag & company play a huge role in creating the environment that encourages such behavior.

And if Disney gave Holden a big fat contract to make huge runs of mugs, I'd be overjoyed because that means Tiki Farm will continue to crank out fine mugs for all of us!