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There was a post on the old board a few months ago suggesting that a 'collective' (for want of a better word) might be formed to bid for the photos that come up on e-bay. The problem is getting the whole thing together, breaking cover on e-bay nickname anonymity, and agreeing on how to proportionalise a) payment and b) who gets the original and who gets copies. More people on this board bid against each other than is probably known.
Some bidders are known to some people, and those bidders do help researchers with unpublished photos for future Lw projects that will reach publication. I know that for a fact, without naming names.
Getting down to what has pissed people off in recent times, is the fact that one bidder appears to have the financial capacity to outbid everyone, and they always come in with about 30 seconds to go. Well, that is market forces at work. I hope that whoever they are, their collection will eventually surface in print, cos if it does, it will be one hell of a work. The price of a photo is nothing compared to the price of a 1958-1960 Gibson Les Paul 'Burst' guitar - you're looking at between $200K to $250K! Crazy. But that is a market force at work driven by collectors.
Ed, keep posting details of the e-bay auctions, as that allows people to see what is on offer.
Richard, the problem with 'the average enthusiast' is that their photos usually end up never seeing the lilght of day again, if that is how they are so inclined. But that is their prerogative and their right. And if collectors are also authors, then there is no illusion about making a profit from research and having the the fruits of that labour published. Would to God it was a JK Rowling profit venture for Luftwaffe authors!
And people, there are going to be some interesting works surfacing in the next 5 years, Ken Merrick's being one for sure. And new photos will continue to be featured. Believe me, I know.
Hope I haven't rambled, and the foregoinig is of some small interest.
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