[edwest2]

I know of people who don't have as much information, or experience, as is available here. There are - and I've never been there - people with a lot of money who fail to research what they are buying.


Take the word provenance and reputation. If a well-known auction house is selling something expensive, potential buyers would like to know the 'chain of custody' of the item or collection of items. I know an estate buyer who purchases anything of value from homes that the heirs do not know how to sell themselves. They agree on a percentage of the sale. So much to him and so much to the heirs. Since he has a good reputation and can show a written inventory of where the items came from, he can show provenance. Sadly, I've heard the following from some dealers: "It's worth whatever somebody is willing to pay for it."

Even if, someday, I had the money to purchase something valued at $500.00 or more, I'd do the research.