Hi Dick,

It's quite obvious that I know and agree our club auction is "The Best!" I stand behind it and the club 100%, and you should have noticed this in my 1997 letter to the club where I made some suggestions agreeing with what you just said. I've been very active in the club auctions both on the floor or from Florida when I couldn't attend...and have done very well in winning and consigning lots. I love the whole concept as I love the whole concept of of the convention, collecting, selling, and buying in general...and I think you fully understand (and know for a fact) that I can move material at the convention while either being there or not. All I have addressed thus far in any of the threads regarding the club auction was that it is no longer possible for me to consign without being able to protect certain lots from bidding manipulation on the floor with material of Z+ value. I made some pretty good suggestions to help the club and auction regarding reserves in my 1997 letter refarding such. Since I've only had three reserve auctions on eBay last year with a reserve...and one this year with the $25 Cal-Neva where I abandoned the reserve in the last 39-minutes...I hardly think your remark that I'm a public defender for reserves is very correct or in order. I believe your other remark: "if you only want top retail prices sell privately" was very much out of order, also, and had nothing to so with the conversation in which I NEVER mentioned such. (Have you ever bought a chip from me, Dick, that wan't a bargain...and only because I'm a collector such as yoursel?) I'm only addressing protecting my better material in such situations. I have no problem selling what I do. In FACT, I've never had anyone who purchased at the three reserve auctions I had last year b*tch about it being a reserve auction. Though it's funny the ones who do b*tch are those who are not in that market. Kind of like the person who says they won't buy a Lincoln Town Car because it just another Ford.
Dick, I would greatly appreciate you reconsider your two remarks made above, please.

Thank you,

JB