Always lookin

Why would you tell someone a repop sign is worth $500! You are totally out of touch with true spirit of our hobby.

Yes deff repop

It was a quote out of Matthews book. It reads, "there were about 200 repops made and will still bring 300-500 at an auction" Since his was nice I figured 500. I guess they have some value.

Anyone who puts a 500 tag a repop is out of line. Tomorow the crooks could make another million units. As long as there are people willing to argue that its a cheaper alternattive to the real thing. I would be ***** if i had an authoratative figure in our hobby tell me if icouldnt afford $3000, well i have a repop for $500. Then presto a month later eBay is flooded with them at $12.99.

I HATE Repro stuff. He asked for info so I gave him what I knew and what was in the Matthews book.

Don't always believe what you read or see

Seems to me Matthews has a quite good reputation among the folks here and certainly has a better handle on the market than I. Sorry, but a low production repop can have a value higher than what you or I feel it does. Seems we have several folks running limited editions of globes these days and they are getting to be fairly pricey in my estimation. That being said, I have a Billups "airplane" globe of which ten sets were made several years ago. I sure hope due to its limited number and high quality there is at least one person who gets out of line if I decide to sell it (BTW, although not part of this discussion, it is well marked).

Although sparks are gonna fly, this is one of the more interesting topics I've seen. I thought true collectors would run from unmarked repops and the only people buying them are unsuspecting "victims". So:

Who's paying $300-500 for a reproduction sign?

Since I'm hearing that this particular repop sign has some significant value, would it have more or less value if it were marked "reproduction" and why.

Are the short run reproduction or fantasy globes going to increase in value over the years?

Not sure to be honest, but it is true. I just checked on the Matthews auction archive page searching for "texaco marine lubricants" and see 2 that sold. One in 2007 and one in 2008. $400 and $450 and both were labelled and repops.

http://www.matthewsauctions.com/listings.php?action=archive

I also see the same repop sign I got here on worthpoint.com but I am not a member to see what it sold for in 2005:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/new-texaco-marine-lubricants-ssp-sign-15x30-inche

This is the main reason I do not use auctions to value items....auctions to me mean two people in a room saying "look at me I'll pay more then you" ..people get carried away at auctions and get caught up in the moment.

I agree! Just because two people battle it out and create a beyond recognition end result, doesn't mean that the item is worth what they were willing to pay for it.....and play the hero.

I think signs are signs and globes are globes. Others made mention of repop sets of 10 run globes. Years from now they may very well fetch more than you gave,but it will be because someone wants it. This is the same thing that has happened with the repop signage of high priced rare signs.
But to fuse the two into the same topic is somewhat not correct. There is two kinds of signs barn hangers and the others. Not the case with globes. Pumps are made to go outside but add a vintage globe worth thousands and they call you crazy. JM2CW.

Well Mathews was just stating the facts like it or not, and it did happen more tha once.
I would never pay $300-$500 for a reproduction but that still does not change the facts.
I just hope the seller will make it right by him and refund a portion of his money.

I think the question that begs to be asked is. At the end of the day who would you consider to be an accurate expert on signs.

An auctioneer or a currently active and experienced collector?

Auctioneers are in it for the profit. just about every auction house sells reproductions and are going to estimate there value higher as they are in the business of selling them.

Experience comes from tracking items for a long period of time and weathering the ups and downs of a hobby. Buying and selling, making mistakes and ect. Watching a few auctions on e-bay doesn't make an expert, one must be be familiar with local and electronic markets as well as supply, collector demand and interest. Book smarts is not a replacement for worldly experience. I don't think people should just read something and express it as an expert opinion. That's how false information is spread not to mention it erodes your credibility. When I seek or give out information it is based on my personal experience and expertise. "Don't tell me what you heard, Tell me what you know".

In my humble (sometimes wrong) opinion, I believe that reproductions signs are worth no more than the materials that they are constructed of. All the power to people that want to pay $500.00 for a twenty dollar sign and consider themselves collectors.

I respect every ones right to buy and collect what they want.

"I respect every ones right to buy and collect what they want."

I agree !!
When I could only afford a clone Shelby GT350, I bought it. Now we own a real one too. I love the clone for what it is and it would bring good money at any auction, m2c