Henry Yee Photos and Photos in General - Skeptical

[hcv123]

If a seller is marketing a photo as one of a kind, I would call that somewhere between irresposible and flat out lying. That said, there are certainly a limited (in most cases) number of a particular image that could/does exist. So if there are 5 copies or 10 copies or 100 hundred copies - still a great collectible and undervalued (in relation to many other collectible categories) in my opinion.

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by hcv123

If a seller is marketing a photo as one of a kind, I would call that somewhere between irresposible and flat out lying. That said, there are certainly a limited (in most cases) number of a particular image that could/does exist. So if there are 5 copies or 10 copies or 100 hundred copies - still a great collectible and undervalued (in relation to many other collectible categories) in my opinion.

and I would have to say I agree with the gist of it, but doesn't the uncertainty bother photo collectors, or are there other reasons out there that give you some comfort as to a photo/image's relative rarity/scarcity?

very interesting topic.

[Ladder7]

Originally Posted by JasonL

and I would have to say I agree with the gist of it, but doesn't the uncertainty bother photo collectors, or are there other reasons out there that give you some comfort as to a photo/image's relative rarity/scarcity?

very interesting topic.

Though I have several original shots that are IMO, one of a kind. I have to agree with the others, there were likely no 1/1 Type 1s developed.

There's uncertainty in cards as well. Manufacturers rarely divulge(d) production numbers. Except for a very few ie, T206 big four, E135 blank backs etc etc., There are far more baseball card Issues than any Type 1 photos. It's why Ive changed focus to photos, premiums and supplements.

I think the Christy Walsh collection as well as others agents, must have contained several T1 duplicates. These guys were marketing madmen in their day.

It would be terrific if Ol' Henry would chime in.

[HRBAKER]

Steve,
I agree there may be some one offs and I don't really think that these photos are being marketed as one offs as well. When I say there are likely to be multiple copies maybe that is better put as there probably was and no one can be certain how many or few have survived. I think that if I was an active buyer I would provide for the fact that another may/could surface. It is a very intriguing growth area in the hobby IMO.

[JasonL]

It would make sense that photos should be in FAR shorter supply than cards, for many reasons.

Would like to hear thoughts on this:
I happen to think that Type I's are far more likely to be 1/1's, or thereabouts, the more obscure the subject.
For instance, it would not surprise me at all to find that most or all of the photos of my cousin that I have been able to gather over the years are all 1 of 5 at the absolute most.

[D. Bergin]

Yeah, I don't think anybody is selling photos as 1 of a kind. That would take a leap of faith.

Original negatives may be closer to the truth.

[perezfan]

How on earth could anyone know for sure how many copies are out there? Those who claim to are either lying or delusional. We can guess with some measure of accuracy, but a definite margin for error still exists.

As for original negatives, those should be one of a kind... right? Otherwise they could not be termed "original".