ULTRA RARE, Likely Unique 20" World's Columbian Moorish Palace Poster

We're still at least 6 weeks (as I list this on October 16) away for formally launching our world's fair sale which of course will be quite heavy with Columbiana. I decided to share some items now while listing a variety of new items in The History Bank Store.

This amazing and very large piece has sold TWICE in the last 30-40 years and is the only known example. I purchased it in some of my early collecting and finding treasures for resale. I found several flyers and larger items in mail auctions in the 1970s and '80s, including this gem.

I kept this on display in my office for years, then sold it to the late Ed Pritts, a good friend and a longtime customer. Then just over a year ago shortly after Ed's passing I went from Seattle to Cleveland to bid on a whole lot of items from Ed's collection. I spent roughly $12,000 and if I had more to spend, I would've done so in a heartbeat--every penny! I came away with perhaps the finest group of Columbiana ever in just a long day attending the auction in person.

Buying it back from Ed's estate cost me many times what I originally paid. If my memory is correct, I purchased this and a flyer for a Japanese performance at the fair for about $25+ each. When I look back at mail order catalogs (such as from Superior Stamp & Coin, Chuck Kirtley and others) I'm thrilled that I became a major WCE player when prices were so ridiculously low. Perspective should be the key word. Yes, I bought many such item for $10-$50 that are now $500-$1,000. Of course, a $1.4 million house in Seattle today was $25,000 in 1975.....times have changed. ,

I don't believe the small tear at the top, which doesn't impact any of the text, detracts. I realize that a tall and narrow piece such as this requires some creativity to get it ready to display. I could see it displayed alone with just the right matte and frame; or one might go out on a limb and create a subtle collage with a couple other Moorish Palace items--brochure, ticket, or......?

This Moorish Palace poster is indeed the only one I have ever seen since I discovered the Columbian Expo 45+ years ago. Today's price is very modest for the unique and quite wonderful poster. Large posters and paper items rarely survived and prices reflect their rarity. I am sure everyone reading this is well aware of the popular water color poster with the Ferris Wheel in the center. That specific artwork was used on many 1893 pieces, by far the most famous being the large poster often reprinted; if you have $25,000 you could purchase one of the 2 or 3 known originals in the marketplace today.

AND WHAT'S IT WORTH NOW?
It's totally ridiculous to get caught up in the "I remember when coffee was 5 cents." I have often wanted to take the time to do some comparisons of eras.....1933 graduating from high school vs 1969 graduating from high school vs today. Those numbers would 1) my dad graduating from high school in 1933, 2) me graduating 36 years later and 3) today 91 years after my dad's high school and 55 years after I did.''

One can get the government comparitive cost of living figures, but those provide an accurate overall comparison, I'm talking about exactly how specifics compare: comparable house, same status of car, specific coins, gold and silver and so on. The real figures to compare? What did you do with your buying and selling of collectibles or other items in those specific eras. I've said far too many times "I wish I would have held that for 20-30 more years...." But when you are in the business of selling, it's all about cash flow and what you do with those short term profits, not what you MIGHT have done or COULD have done....and HOW DID YOU USE YOUR PROFITS along the way. Whew. I have studied the World's Columbian Expo for decades and that has included logging sales prices. I will continue to offer the historical data....and then YOU can do the "woulda, coulda, shoulda....."

Last week I heard an "investment guru" on his weekly radio program telling folks that investors have done far better in real estate and the stock market compared to buying gold bullion. He talked about the last year beginning with the first real boom that brought in "small" investors and turned many coin collectors into gold and silver investors. He pointed out that if you invested $50,000 in gold bullion in the 1970s and held it until now, adjusted for inflation, you would have LESS than $50,000 today.

I don't think most bullion buyers are looking to make a killing or perhaps even a profit. They understand the ups and downs and perioic blips that routinely edge prices up; they often plan to sell based on a percentage spike. Makes sense. But more so, I think most collectors understand that gold or silver bullion is merely a hedge against the devaluation of the dollar. I don't think anyone argues that real estate is a longterm growth opportunity. So are numismatic and philatelic collectibles. And what about baseball collectibles? And how is your beanie baby collection these days. If you are one of the lucky ones who can separate a hobby you like for an investment for a purpose you eill fo much better than ther rtest.

Or watch Antiques Roadshow....and see how garage sale finds are worth 100 times the cheap acquisition price; and how that family heirloom might indeed be worth tens of thousands....or just tens of dollars.

Collect what you like....and if fdo so over 50 years or so, the odds are you'll do quite well finanially. But most of us have long ago reaced the point of not having 50 years to check out prices in 2074. And make sure you leave the information for your kids about its value today so they won't just dump it all at the Goodwill Collection center when you die!

SHIPPING?
I have included a $15 charge as that probably is a minimum when you consider that this is an averly long item and it will require special packaging to ensure it travels safely.