>It is interesting to note, however, that the universe of auctionable fine art inventory is somewhat limited and doesn't grow exponentially, e.g. all the quality auction houses are seeking to get the lion's share of that inventory (unfortunately, your fast-food analogy does't cut it).
Steve,
Good point. Numbers of hamburgers can easily increase in response to demand, whereas auctionable fine art pieces can not.
However, my fast-food analogy was in reference to the medium, not to the numbers of available art pieces. That is, using the Internet as a location [one's private computer] to make substantive business transactions.
It would seem to me that to the extent any online auction house is a success, whether it be Sotheby's, Christies, Butterfield's, Ebay or any others, it would portend success for many. In other words, if online auctions are successful, regardless of the quality, quantity or prices of available auctionable fine art, or even "not-so-fine" art for that matter, then it means there is a potential for additional business for them all. I'm not sure it's a zero-sum game where someone wins at someone else's expense in the traditional sense.
Ice |
