Brian has done a great job at introducing a new method to market early longrifles... and hopefully powder horns in the future. As I went through it, I kept wondering how many hours and hours he had to invest in this effort, to make it so professional, properly explained, and beautifully illustrated. I'm guessing not many of us would be willing to devote that much personal time to such an undertaking, and I hope it prospers as he goes forward. As previously stated, the photography and descriptions are superior, and better than about any major auction house with his pinpoint descriptions.
We'll all probably have our own "take-aways" from this innovative sales method. After watching the sale off-and-on during the day, it seemed to me to be a pretty good reflection of the current state of our collecting world. Fine articles still sell, mid-range articles need to have a little "sparkle" or something special to sell, and some articles are simply an item a specific collector has been looking for, so he/she grabs it while most viewers would let it go.
It also appears guns by finer makers, if they don't have all the "bells & whistles" normally seen on their better-known work, just don't move as well as expected. I think the sale also points out the growing trend toward focusing on finer or better documented items as we go forward... which means unsigned pieces, even if good quality and/or attributed, are going to be a harder sell in the future... kind of like good quality pieces with more than a smidge of restoration. And I think attributions that leave some room for doubt may suffer even more.
Overall, I think Brian has taken on an important, and difficult, role as a leader in exploring new marketing methods for our cherished old rifles, pistols, and hopefully powder horns. It's a tough job, and he's shined at what he's done so far. As others have commented, I look forward to his next effort... but geeeeze, Brian, you need to get more southern rifles and Tansel horns in your sales!
Shelby Gallien
