JohnGaunt wrote:This is OT for the CotSK/PPP threads, so I'll post it here.Here's an eBay auction for an expensive and rare lead miniature. The auction description reads, in part:" . . . I was at Gen Con Indy 2006 (selling a few things at the auction) and one of the guest of honor was J. Kuntz. . . . When he was taking his turn at the podium he offered up this D76 Dragon. In his description of the item he announced that this figure was from his personal collection and that he was the painter of the the figure.. I talked to him afterward and he confirmed this. This D76 Dragon Tooth Dragon was actually hand painted by Mr. Kuntz. . . . ** expired/removed eBay auction **The last Dragon Tooth recently went for around $100. What would this Dragon Tooth be worth, and how quickly would my wife kill me for buying it?
Have you been smoking crack? Rob didn't do that, I did. Rob was not at GenCon at the auction, I was. The following is a copy of a response I just wrote on a collector's website."Whoever is selling that is FOS, indeed. I find it hard to believe that a figure as crude as that would fetch $100. Rob should be insulted as the painting is incomplete and crude. I know, I did it. It had only a base coat of green laid down; no shading, no highlights, no drybrush, no nothing. I was a new, very inexperienced painter when I started that and put it away for 20+ years.I don't want my name associated with that figure, and I did it. I am outraged that someone would hype something like this using one of our names. The fact that he got it so wrong is laughable. "For another thing, how can you label this as AD&D? When this figure was produced, there wasn't any AD&D.I don't like the idea that you are trading on my or Rob's name. If you choose to do that, you should pay me a percentage.
MShipley88 wrote:Cardheros6wo6 is an Acaeum member, although he does not post much.I have bought from him before.He does not take PayPal and he did not leave me feedback...but he fulfilled everything else on his side of the transaction.He just got the name wrong....Kask/Kuntz....easy enough to do, and a correctable mistake. If he is anywhere as bad at names as me.....well...I can see myself mis-remembering the name. (Not now, mind you, but a year ago...yes.) If he bought the item at auction...specifically with a gaming celebrity name attached to it...it does not seem all that unreasonable to sell the miniature using the name that adds to its value.The paint job might make the miniature more valuable. It would to me. No one expects every industry figure to be an expert painter. I would rather have a real piece from a real person than a "professionally" painted miniature without the same character and history....just as I would rather have a book someone used than a pristine, new book that they only signed.(Thanks again, Tim...it is the prize of my collection! School begins August 31st this year...can you believe that?) Cardheros6wo6 also might be a bit slow to respond...I have PM'd him before....I suspect he does not check his messages that often.Mark
MShipley88 wrote:He just got the name wrong....Kask/Kuntz....easy enough to do, and a correctable mistake.
If he bought the item at auction...specifically with a gaming celebrity name attached to it...it does not seem all that unreasonable to sell the miniature using the name that adds to its value.
The paint job might make the miniature more valuable. It would to me.
bclarkie wrote:That seller is not a member of this community. He does have a login ID, but he comes here only to spam our classifieds with his wares and nothing else. To be blunt, I think he is a fuckin douche bag.
NetRodent wrote:He seems to have reposted the item sans any name-dropping. ** expired/removed eBay auction **
I am very sorry for the listing. I have cancelled the item and relisted without the text with your name on it. I apologize for listing the item that way, it was bad judgement. The D76 dragon is a very rare piece and I was excited to see that this one was painted by a very important person in the world of D&D.. I was not trying to misrepresent the piece. I just wanted the collector who bought this piece to know how special it was.. Again I am very sorry to have upset you and wasted your time.. Please accept my apology.
With apologies to Kaskoid, Rob Kuntz is the more famous of the two.
