In my area of collecting, I have seen a HUGE downturn. Many known collectors dumping their Caribbean collections, including some very significant collections. I recently bought a chip for under $30 that is reasonably hard to find and sold for over $150 before the economic downturn around 2008. I have seen rare chips not sell for even small opening prices. I have purchased many items without a single other bidder that would have had multiple bids in years past. I have seen chips on the board in other collecting areas go unsold for tiny prices that would have cost $20-50. I don't see what you see. Why do you say the hobby is healthy? Why do you believe there are so many young collectors out there? What evidence do you have? I see long-time collectors dying, selling off their collections or just becoming inactive, and almost no one replacing them.

Does anyone else see what John is seeing? I will be thrilled if he is right. I just don't see any evidence of it.

Michael Siskin