[hollywood_steve]

I'm a fan of historic recording related books, magazines, etc. There's the practical aspect; this is important info if you are buying and using old gear. And I just find a lot of it very interesting. Also, back in the 40s and 50s they were literally inventing the audio biz as they went along, so thats a great place to look if you want to learn how things work.

Anyway......

Ebay has been a great source for a variety of this type of info. I've purchased old magazines, books, manuals for 50 year old gear; all sorts of cool stuff. Whenever I search on Ebay for this type of gear, I inevitably run across a seller from Alaska known as "states." His Ebay story says he ran a studio up there for a long time and is now unloading everything. He must have had a huge place as he has been selling consistently for at least 3 years, typically with at least 50 items for sale at any time. His collection of old books and magazines must have been incredible. But he asks way beyond top dollar for everything. Hist typical asking price for a 50s era catalog is around $90!

Fine, big deal; if I don't like his prices, I won't buy it. But what really gets me is that he never discloses the name of the publication he is selling. It took me a while to realize why......
If he is offering a "post-war HUGE catlaog of the most important tube audio gear of the golden era" you might just believe that this thing is worth the $90 he is asking. But if he was to mention that the item in question was a 1958 edition of the "Radio Electronics Master Guide," a smart shopper might search Ebay for other similar copies and discover that these things sell almost every day on Ebay for around $15!!!

Now, I've figured out his game and won't be sucked in; but I have witnessed dozens of folks over pay for items that are often available elsewhere on Ebay for just a fraction of his pricing. Hey, more power to him for finding the proverbial sucker born every minute. I'm just glad he's a few thousand miles away and I won't ever have to deal with him personally.

OK, rant over.....