Best print quality auction catalog

alvin · 01-24-2015, 04:37 PM

Surprisingly received an auction catalog from Morphy Auctions today. The print quality of this auction house's catalog is amazing.... overwhelmingly better than any other better known firearm related auction houses!! It appears in a book like form, with hard cover (very unusual, all other catalogs that I have seen have soft cover. Morphy is the only exception), and the paper quality is top. The whole book is heavy. Printing and distributing these must cost them something. This is the best printed and bound auction catalog that I have ever seen.

ithacaartist · 01-25-2015, 02:26 PM

I'm tickled whenever I get one that's in color, like the RIA Premiere auctions. Those are spiral bound, as well... Hard cover is very impressive, and I think it will increase any tendency to keep the catalog--and thus also keep the auction company in mind!

alvin · 01-25-2015, 02:58 PM

RIAC catalog quality depends on what they sell. In their premium session, they list high priced items and catalog is well printed color catalogs. In their regional session, their catalog is in black & white, and items were commonly listed in bulk.

This Morphy is unusual.. Most items in Morphy's list are estimated in RIAC regional auction level items, $150, $300, $400, etc. And they distribute hard cover color catalog!! and items are individually listed.

I bought one item from them last time. They charge same for online and phone call bidders. Item's accessory condition was a little bit over described, but not totally off (I mean, not a fake nor forced matching). Shipping was slow, but they explained that it would take them about 2 weeks. Otherwise, good. The disadvantage was 18% BP, but that BP was counted in mind when bidding and this catalog gives probably $50 back

Generally speaking, still satisfied.

sheepherder · 01-25-2015, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

I'm tickled whenever I get one that's in color, like the RIA Premiere auctions. Those are spiral bound, as well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

RIAC catalog...In their regional session, their catalog is in black & white...

...???...I get RIA catalog but not spiral; 'normal' color book-type binding, soft cover, about 1/2" thick. For smaller auctions [regional?], I just get 8 or 10 page color flyer...

I think I have seen RIA ad on site for pay-catalog...Don't recall how much they charge - Is this what you guys are speaking of??? You pay for the auction-coming-up catalog??? Better/more pics???

alvin · 01-25-2015, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

I think I have seen RIA ad on site for pay-catalog...Don't recall how much they charge - Is this what you guys are speaking of??? You pay for the auction-coming-up catalog??? Better/more pics???

No. It's free.... well, I guess you have to let them making some money in the past. More or less, probably does not matter, but cannot be zero. Otherwise, they won't know you're still interested in these.

The cover is color. Inside is full of B&W.

sheepherder · 01-25-2015, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

No. It's free...

That looks like what I get; but not spiral...I haven't gotten that one for Feb 2015 auctions yet...

I've bid maybe 18 - 20 times, in 8 - 10 separate auctions over last few years...never won any...I do get online emails about Heritage Auctions, and some other one...I forget which...Never bothered...Some book auction place...

alvin · 01-25-2015, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

I've bid maybe 18 - 20 times, in 8 - 10 separate auctions over last few years...never won any...

Obviously, you have very good control. There are some good guns from time to time, but it's not easy to find good price deal in public auctions. Too many people are watching.

01-24-2015, 04:37 PM	#1
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Best print quality auction catalog Surprisingly received an auction catalog from Morphy Auctions today. The print quality of this auction house's catalog is amazing.... overwhelmingly better than any other better known firearm related auction houses!! It appears in a book like form, with hard cover (very unusual, all other catalogs that I have seen have soft cover. Morphy is the only exception), and the paper quality is top. The whole book is heavy. Printing and distributing these must cost them something. This is the best printed and bound auction catalog that I have ever seen. Attached Thumbnails

01-25-2015, 02:26 PM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,376 Thanks: 7,448 Thanked 2,613 Times in 1,380 Posts	I'm tickled whenever I get one that's in color, like the RIA Premiere auctions. Those are spiral bound, as well... Hard cover is very impressive, and I think it will increase any tendency to keep the catalog--and thus also keep the auction company in mind! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

01-25-2015, 02:58 PM	#3
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	RIAC catalog quality depends on what they sell. In their premium session, they list high priced items and catalog is well printed color catalogs. In their regional session, their catalog is in black & white, and items were commonly listed in bulk. This Morphy is unusual.. Most items in Morphy's list are estimated in RIAC regional auction level items, $150, $300, $400, etc. And they distribute hard cover color catalog!! and items are individually listed. I bought one item from them last time. They charge same for online and phone call bidders. Item's accessory condition was a little bit over described, but not totally off (I mean, not a fake nor forced matching). Shipping was slow, but they explained that it would take them about 2 weeks. Otherwise, good. The disadvantage was 18% BP, but that BP was counted in mind when bidding and this catalog gives probably $50 back Generally speaking, still satisfied.