How should we watch the Paul Davidson sale?

[Peter Bleed]

I have been "collecting" long enough to realize that sword collecting has changed. And it sure has changed! The people who are doing it nowadays are very different from the guys who used to do it. The ways swords are encountered is no longer how things used to enter "collections." And "we" sure seem to know things now that transcend the knowledge and wisdom that used to make a fellow "expert." There are as well lots of new networks, communities, and systems that impact how collections are formed - -  and dispersed. 

We are currently presented with an interesting example of collection dispersion, and I'd like some advice on how to watch that process. As discussed in an earlier thread, Paul Davidson was a a wonderful fellow who assembled an outstanding collection. How do you think the collectors' community should  treat this "event"? Will the sale  be a spectator event? Will collecting become a spectator sport?

I certainly expect to watch the sale develop, but I am not sure how to do that. Will people be checking in to the sale regularly. Do you have particular pieces you will watch? What have you got you eye on? What are you expectations?

Peter
 

[Lewis B]

Only a couple of bids posted for the cheaper blades so far. The Kake seem to be doing very well though. 

[Jussi Ekholm]

For me collecting is unfortunately a spectator sport. I cannot really afford the things I would like.

 

I hope the Mikazuki would by a miracle land to Nagoya Tōken World or NBTHK, or other Japanese museum that would display it in public occasionally, if it goes to private collector I think I and most of the public will never see that spectacular sword.

 

To me more reasonable thing to collect would be Tomomitsu - Sadamitsu - Morimitsu - Norimitsu short sword combo. Out of those 4 I would feel the Morimitsu might be the best sword but personally I would have most desire to Tomomitsu as I like the smith. Unfortunately spending 30,000$ just at the opening bid is totally unrealistic for me. Then you need to add the very high Buyers premium that auction houses have (seems like Sothebys has 27%?)... I feel buying swords from auction houses is a rich mans sport.

 

Will be checking the auction and see what happens. I just personally feel all the swords have higher starting price than I would be willing to pay for the item (aside from the 4 above mentioned short swords [However they would still have the buyers premium added to price which at these prices is a lot of money]). As an average guy spectating is pretty much all we can do on auctions like these, I feel level of items is just too high for your average collector.

[Lewis B]

13 minutes ago, Jussi Ekholm said:

For me collecting is unfortunately a spectator sport. I cannot really afford the things I would like.

 

I hope the Mikazuki would by a miracle land to Nagoya Tōken World or NBTHK, or other Japanese museum that would display it in public occasionally, if it goes to private collector I think I and most of the public will never see that spectacular sword.

 

To me more reasonable thing to collect would be Tomomitsu - Sadamitsu - Morimitsu - Norimitsu short sword combo. Out of those 4 I would feel the Morimitsu might be the best sword but personally I would have most desire to Tomomitsu as I like the smith. Unfortunately spending 30,000$ just at the opening bid is totally unrealistic for me. Then you need to add the very high Buyers premium that auction houses have (seems like Sothebys has 27%?)... I feel buying swords from auction houses is a rich mans sport.

 

Will be checking the auction and see what happens. I just personally feel all the swords have higher starting price than I would be willing to pay for the item (aside from the 4 above mentioned short swords [However they would still have the buyers premium added to price which at these prices is a lot of money]). As an average guy spectating is pretty much all we can do on auctions like these, I feel level of items is just too high for your average collector.

Not to mention the 19-20% minimum import tax if buying from the EU.

[Gakusee]

Watching this and collecting are not mutually exclusive….Good luck to the sellers and buyers. The ones who are the best off are Sotheby’s, skimming value from buyers and sellers. 
 

Regarding Peter’s broader point: yes, collecting has changed dramatically as Japan is more accessible to us, mere mortals (while before it used to be a select few’s privileged domain) and information in English is much more available than before. The Internet democratised access to information and brought us closer together.