----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Smolian" <[log in to unmask]> > The billboard page for my new, www.recordappraiser.com page is up. > It's scope will broaden as I get time to write additional parts of it. > In prep is a segment that will cite the appropriate IRS publications and > brief paragraphs about various confusing aspects of the process. > I plan to discuss when a formal appraisal is required and explain the > oft-confusing self-created works. > I'm interested in knowing what you guys feel belongs there- what other > confusing aspects of the process should I address? > Constructive suggestions welcomed. > Well...I have been collecting 78rpm phonorecords (and buying them as well) since about 1974 or so...and read all the "official price guides" as they appeared...and given the benefit of that half-vast experience in the field, I STILL can't make any statements about the "cash value" of these artifacts that I would consider at all accurate..?! I have bought "job lots" of them for anything from $50 on up (no rarities,I might note) ranging from 200 up to 2500 records, for anything from $50 to $100. Yet I see auction lists expecting minimum bids of $2 or $3, and think back fondly to receiving auction lists with minimums of just over a buck each...! I have no idea what it has cost me to accumulate my 55,000(+/-) 78's, but I would guess less that 10 grand total...?! You're a braver man than *I* am...?! Steven C. Barr