collectible
collectible
janschwartz
Swing Joined: 8/9/12
#1collectible
Posted: 8/9/12 at 9:26pm
Hi all collectors out there,
I need a little advice. I have something a Broadway collector might want but don't know how much to sell it for. I have a cassette tape of Stephen Sondheim recording corrections to a text book on musical theater. On the tape, he's being rather--well--himself if you get my drift.
How much do you all think I should sell it for? And if you don't know, please point me in the direction of someone who might be able to price it for me.
Thank you.
Jan S.
#2collectible
Posted: 8/9/12 at 10:23pmWhy not contact Sondheim himself and see if he would like to purchase it? He'd probably offer more money than a collector or fan would!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#2collectible
Posted: 8/9/12 at 10:26pmThose things don't really have a "set" value to them. The 7 hour Sondheim interview with the Library of Congress guy DVD's that newly surfaced aren't "worth" anything in particular, just what some random person would pay for them.
janschwartz
Swing Joined: 8/9/12
#3collectible
Posted: 8/9/12 at 11:10pmThanks Capn but Sondheim is an ass. He probably wouldn't care.
#4collectible
Posted: 8/9/12 at 11:14pmIt seems to be almost as expensive as a priceless Fabergé egg.
#7collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 12:03amWhether he is an ass or not, why wouldn't he not want it, or at least be curious to listen to it? One the one hand, he may not care. On the other hand, he may want it for several reasons: he's curious to listen to it, he remembers the people involved with the text book and would want to give it to them, he is afraid of comments he may have made on there being released to the public, nostalgia, etc.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#9collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 2:46am
Mr. Sondheim is an archivist-- at least, when it comes to his own career. He probably would care and he'd probably like a copy.
dreaming
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/24/09
#10collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 9:24amHe is an archivist of sorts, indeed. It might be a good idea to get in touch with him for that very reason-he will likely will his papers/archives to an institution (maybe LPA or something) and your tape sounds like just the sort of thing an institution of that nature would love to have.
janschwartz
Swing Joined: 8/9/12
#11collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 7:53pmWhat's LPA? And what are the other institutions that might be interested in this tape? Considering Sondheim's attitude on this tape, I'd rather try to do this without contacting him. Plus, I'm really not looking to make a donation. As harsh as this sounds, I'm looking to sell the tape.
janschwartz
Swing Joined: 8/9/12
#12collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 7:55pm
Seriously Jordan? You're the first person I've mentioned Sondheim to that seems surprised by this info.
Updated On: 8/10/12 at 07:55 PM
dreaming
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/24/09
#14collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 8:18pm
Jordan Catalano: The 7 hour Sondheim interview with the Library of Congress guy DVD's...
What is this? Is the "Library of Congress guy" Mark Eden Horowitz?
Thanks.
#15collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 8:25pm
Why would his attitude on the tape affect his wanting it? Even if he was negative/harsh/cruel on tape, wouldn't he want it, even if for no other reason than he wants to prevent the public from ever hearing it?
Again, he also would pay more than a lot of fans would, I'd imagine. Institutions such as libraries and colleges may want it, such as Williams College (his alma mater), but I couldn't see them being able to pay much for it.
If your only goal is to make money, your best bet is Sondheim himself or an avid collector/historian who has the money to offer that you're looking for. How much ARE you expecting?
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
janschwartz
Swing Joined: 8/9/12
#16collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 8:49pm
CapN, Sondheim just didn't seem like a person who cares what others think. If the tapes gets into someone else's hands, I just don't think he'd care.
I don't know how much to expect. That's why I posted a message here. I thought someone could answer that for me or point me to a collector who could value it for me.
#17collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 8:51pmHere's the thing - If you get $20 for them, you got a good deal. People who would want to hear this would trade for it, generally. If they were to pay for it I can't imagine anyone offering more than $10, so that $20 is a REALLY generous estimate.
janschwartz
Swing Joined: 8/9/12
#19collectible
Posted: 8/10/12 at 9:59pm
I'd be shocked if a fan paid over $100 for it.
Maybe check and see if an auction house would want to consign it for you?
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
janschwartz
Swing Joined: 8/9/12
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