Auction Site Spotlight - Photo of NES games

NES Nintendo Game Lot Rad 48 Cart Classic sparked some discussion in a thread over at the Nintendo Age forum.

Question regarding NES Nintendo Game Lot Rad 48 Cart Classic

Q: You are a true artist as you say.. A SCAM ARTIST!! Good Luck with your feedback!!
- retrogameguy01

A: Thank you for taking the time to voice your impressions. If I could direct you to my feedback you can see for yourself that I have nothing but happy buyers.
And if you care to look further some additional people have taken the time to blog their views:
cigarettesandpurity
donrelyea
horsesthink

35th Auction

NES Nintendo Game Lot Rad 48 Cart Classic closed at $93 only to be canceled due to confusion.

Dear *commodities*,
Can you please cancel this transaction? I thought I was bidding on games, not a photo. Please sell to the next highest bidder and cancel this. Thanks
Why are you selling a photo anyways?
- rzeznikrocks

Dear rzeznikrocks,
We can cancel the sale. I will open a case with the resolution center. You will be contacted and can consent to mutually cancel.

This photograph is part of an ongoing art project called Commodities. The intent of the project is to raise questions about value, originality, commodification, and art production/distribution. You can read more about the project at thecommodities.blogspot.com and at erikdalzen.com.

As a buyer who bid in error, what was it that lead to your confusion and when did you realize the mistake? I would prefer to avoid this type of confusion in the future and any insight into your thoughts would be appreciated.
- *commodities*

***UPDATE***

Dear *commodities*,
Ok thank you. Sorry for the error. I read it very fast and I saw it said "games are tested and work" so I assumed they were games.
- rzeznikrocks

Verification revisited

As bids on NES game lot escalated I sent out this message:

Dear ewaufekhalid,
Thanks for supporting Commodites art project with your bids on Photo of - NES Nintendo Game Lot. I wanted to verify that you know this auction is for a photograph of the described games and not the games themselves. If you haven't checked out thecommodities.blogspot.com or erikdalzen.com yet please do so.
Thanks,
- *commodities*

Dear *commodities*,
i am very sorry for bidding on your item I was not aware of it being a picture. I thought it was a lot of games since de description was so accurate and you put the rarity chart too. I also increased my max bid and would l9ike to know how iI could canacel that. I'm soo sorry of biding before reading the title well and am not interested in buying a photograph. Is it possible to withdraw my bid please.
- ewaufekhalid

Dear *commodities*,
unfortunately by the time i read your email anwsered back and went through the contact us I was over an hour since my bidding. So I am asking of you again if I could please withdraw my bid and cancel the whole thing I have already increased my max bet and am not willing ot pay 85 bucks for a damn photo. seriously thats not fun when you are expecting to spend that money top play bad ass games. Soo please cancel my bid and I will be very gratefull. I am hopefull since you wrote me first notifyng me just to verify if I kne wwhat I was getting myself into.
- ewaufekhalid

Dear ewaufekhalid,
You have to initiate the process if your bid was in error. http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?RetractBidShow or maybe someone will just outbid you who actually wants it.
- *commodities*

And while ewaufekhalid was outbid I'm afraid it wasn't for the best...

NES Nintendo Game Lot Rad 48 Cart Classic

NES Nintendo Game Lot Rad 48 Cart Classic, 2010
Digital C-Print, 8x10"

Up for bid is an original photograph of a lot of nintendo games. The photograph is by Erik Dalzen and is titled "NES Nintendo Game Lot Rad 48 Cart Classic". Measures 8x10 inches, including white border. Limited edition, 1/10. Signed, numbered, and dated on the back. The first print from each edition commences bidding at $0.99. Bidding on subsequent prints from the edition starts at the determined value of the preceding print, i.e. - If this print were to sell for $100.00. Then bidding on 2/10 would start at $100.00.

NES Nintendo game lot* includes a delectable range of titles ranging from 'Much Rarer' to 'Unbelievably Common'. List of titles, followed rarity ranking, below. All games in tested working condition.

3-D Worldrunner - C-
Balloon Fight - C+
Battletoads - D
Castlevania - E
Castlevania II Simon's Quest - C-
Castlevania III Dracula's Curse - C
Contra - E
Donkey Kong Classics - B-
Dragon Warrior - E
Dragon Warrior II - C+
Excitebike - E
Goonies II, The (x2) - C+
Gotcha - C
Gradius - C-
Hogan's Alley - D
Ikari Warriors - C-
Jeopardy! - C
Jeopardy! 25th Anniversary Edition - C+
Legend of Zelda, The - E
Life Force - C
Marble Madness - C
Mega Man 3 - C
Mega Man 6 - B-
Metal Gear - D
Milon's Secret Castle - C
Monsters In My Pocket - B
Ninja Gaiden - E
Pac Man - B+
Paperboy - C
R.C. Pro-Am - D
Rad Gravity - B
Rad Racer - D
Rampart - B
Rocket Ranger - C+
Rygar - C
Section Z - C
Siver Surfer - C+
Skate or Die - D
Skate or Die 2 - B-
Snake's Revenge - B-
Solstice - C-
Stinger - B-
Super Mario Bros. 2 - D
Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt - F
T&C Surf Designs - E
Tetris - E
Yoshi - C

Key:
F = Unbelievably Common
E = Very Common
D = Common
C- = Borderline Common
C = Uncommon
C+ = Not Quite Rare
B- = Borderline Rare
B = Rare
B+ = Much Rarer
A- = These Will Require A Lot Of Looking
A = A True Conversation Piece
A+ = VERY Limited Production, Either Late Release Or Never Distributed

*Please note: This is only background information about the games in the photograph up for bid. Again, this auction is for a photograph and not any Nintendo games.


Auction ends: 03.07.2010 19:02:36 PST Bid on.

***UPDATE***
Transaction canceled after closing at $93, due to confusion over goods offered.

34th auction

Sold! for $.99, California Raisins Ben Indasun Plush 5" 1987.

California Raisins Ben Indasun Plush 5" 1987

California Raisins Ben Indasun Plush 5" 1987, 2010
Digital C-Print, 8x10"

Up for bid is an original photograph of a California Raisin. The photograph is by Erik Dalzen and is titled "California Raisins Ben Indasun Plush 5" 1987". Measures 8x10 inches, including white border. Limited edition, 1/10. Signed, numbered, and dated on the back. The first print from each edition commences bidding at $0.99. Bidding on subsequent prints from the edition starts at the determined value of the preceding print, i.e. - If this print were to sell for $100.00. Then bidding on 2/10 would start at $100.00.

California Raisins* are the sweetest thing since dried grapes. These groovy edibles wore sunglasses and shoes! as they romanced audiences across television screens everywhere. Ben Indasun is an official licensed product by Applause Inc., containing the original tag, and features fully bendable arms and legs. This happy morsel of joy is guaranteed to be "raisin" your level of self worth as you spend time looking at him.
*Please note: This is only background information about the figure in the photograph up for bid. Again, this auction is for a photograph and not a California Raisin collectable.

Auction ends: 03.07.2010 19:02:36 PST Help raisin the bid.

***UPDATE***
Sold for $.99.

33rd Auction

Jane Hutcheson Metal Enamel Flower Bouquet Gorham sold for $2.25.

Bid Change Notice

Dear eBay Community Member,
A previously entered bid on your item (270533219122) has been retracted or cancelled. You can view the retraction/cancellation and the reason provided by selecting the (bid history) link from the individual item page. As a result of this retraction/cancellation, there is a possibility that the high bid amount and the current high bidder have changed. You can always view the current status of any item by going to the individual item page. (Be sure to refresh or reload the page to view the most up-to-date information.)
Regards,
eBay

Bid: Feb-19-10 13:51:36 PST
Retracted: Feb-19-10 13:55:37 PST
Amount retracted: US $25.00
Explanation: Entered wrong amount

Jane Hutcheson Metal Enamel Flower Bouquet Gorham

Jane Hutcheson Metal Enamel Flower Bouquet Gorham, 2010
Digital C-Print, 8x10"

Up for bid is an original photograph of a beautiful Jane Hutcheson floral piece. The photograph is by Erik Dalzen and is titled "Jane Hutcheson Metal Enamel Flower Bouquet Gorham". 8x10 inches, including white border. Limited edition, 1/10. Signed, numbered, and dated on the back. The first print from each photographic edition commences bidding at $0.99. Bidding on subsequent prints starts at the sale price of the preceding print, i.e. - If this print were to close at $100.00. The opening bid on 2/10 would be $100.00.

This exquisitely designed metal flower bouquet by Jane Hutcheson will be, "blooming beautifully from here to eternity to grow more precious with time…" This piece dates back to the 1970s from the Fleur des Siècles line of jeweled and enameled objets d'art for the Gorham Silver Company. Each arrangement is meticulously crafted taking inspiration from 17th century Vincennes porcelain flowers with each metal leaf and flower made by hand. The arrangement is further accented by the circular, glass rose bowl on a gold plated, square, claw-foot pedestal. Excellent overall condition, with no missing flowers, only a few tiny spots of wear to enamel.
*Please note: This is only background information about the bouquet featured in the photograph up for bid. Again, this auction is for a photograph and not a flower arrangement.

Auction ends: 02.23.2010 23:31:38 PST Bid on.

***Update***
Had some issues with the photograph not showing up in the item search or listing. Had to cancel and relist the item. Links have been updated with the new url.

***Update***
Sold for $2.25

32nd auction

Wavves S/T Cassette Tape Lo-Fi OOP Rare FIT did not receive any bids.

Wavves S/T Cassette Tape Lo-Fi OOP Rare FIT

Wavves S/T Cassette Tape Lo-Fi OOP Rare FIT, 2009
Digital C-Print, 8x10"

Up for bid is an original photograph of the Wavves cassette. The photograph is by Erik Dalzen and is titled "Wavves S/T Cassette Tape Lo-Fi OOP Rare FIT". 8x10 inches, including white border. Limited edition, 1/10. Signed, numbered, and dated on the back. The first print from each photographic edition commences bidding at $0.99. Bidding on subsequent prints starts at the sale price of the preceding print, i.e. - If this print were to close at $20.00. The opening bid on 2/10 would be $20.00.

Debut release from Wavves*. Wavves is Nathan William's fuzzy noise trash lo-fi surf rock four-track beach punk one piece sensation. This little, petroleum by-product, wonder tape squelches out twelve track in 30 minutes. Ever so out of print. FIT061.
*Please note: This is only background information on the cassette that appears in the photograph up for bid. Again, this auction is for a photograph and not a tape.

Auction ends: 10.06.2009 17:45:32 PDT Participate.

***Update***
Did not sell.

31st auction

Mark Twain Corn Cob Pipe Authentic Artifact sold for $2.25.

Relisted - Mark Twain Corn Cob Pipe Authentic Artifact

Mark Twain Corn Cob Pipe Authentic Artifact, 2009
Ink on paper, 7.5x5"

This item has been relisted due to a non-paying high bidder.

If you grow wheat just to get the chaff, you're crazy...but if you grow corn to get the cob you're smart. - Mark Twain

It is an understatement to say that Mark Twain was an avid smoker. His instrument of choice was a corn-cob pipe. The corn-cob pipe is a light pipe made from a hollowed-out cob of Indian corn that gives off a sweet smell. It colors brown with use, ultimately turning black and hence is also know as "The Missouri Meerschaum." Twain never smoked a new corn-cob pipe. In his words, "I always hire a cheap man–a man who doesn't amount to much, anyhow–who would be as well–or better–dead, and let him break in the pipe for me. I get him to smoke the pipe for a couple of weeks, then put in a new stem, and continue operations as long as the pipe holds together." This particular pipe outlived Twain and based on appearances still has quite a bit of life left. It is in excellent condition, serving as a relic of its age as well as a characteristic artifact of Twain himself.

Ends: 09.29.2009 14:46:36 PDT !!!

***Update***
Sold for $2.25

30th auction

Real Four 4 Leaf Clover Shamrock Lucky Charm Juju, 2/10, did not sell.

Real Four 4 Leaf Clover Shamrock Lucky Charm Juju 2/10

Real Four 4 Leaf Clover Shamrock Lucky Charm Juju, 2008
Digital C Print, 2/10, 8x10"

More rare than albinism, a four lear clover is sure to bring good luck. Discovered in a renegade clover patch off the streets of Santa Maria, Brasil, this biological oddity is housed in a self made contact paper laminate. Measures slightly smaller than a credit card, providing optimal portability. It would be the acme of genius to acquire such a charm.

Bidding, on subsequent prints from an edition, opens at the sale price of the preceding print, i.e. - Print 1/10 closed at $18.50 thus bidding on 2/10 opens at $18.50.

Auction ends 9.15.2009 20:56:15 PDT - Place a bid

***Update***
Item did not sell

Up to speed

I have recently undergone a couple of those major life changing events and have been rather occupied over the last couple of months. Commodities has been neglected in that time. However, things have calmed down a bit and new listings are to follow shortly. But to get the blog up to speed, a past critic and a new one emailed me during the Polaroid Type 55 auction:

Dear *commodities*,
I read your blog, I prefer excitement/bidding on actual items, thank you. As expected you're already canceling bids from those duped. Wasting other's time with misleading ads, I doubt that's your intent. But like the self-indulgent who tag an overpass, forcing their work upon anyone who drives that road, this kind of thing robs the viewer of the ability to be a WILLFUL participant in the art process. What of those who do not want to participate, isn't that abuse? In the end you may excite select friends and associates, teachers, whomever you made privy to what you are up to. As for the rest, you will simply reinforce in MOST minds the notion that art is stupid, mundane, and an irritant to be avoided. No wonder the arts are under attack financially and their place questioned. FYI, I use polaroid 55..with my art background your message is lost on me because its forced + the distraction merely ads to my day's clutter. *When art has nothing to say at what point does it become meaningless?
- tios_corner

Dear *commodities*, (later that same day)
Maybe this is more a problem of venue. This may be more successful in a different setting, perhaps a private auction where participants can willingly elect to participate. It just evokes a negative reaction in me as you have this structured currently. Especially at a time in our post-modern society where so much about the arts is being attacked in our centers of government and the courts, I think we need to be careful not to alienate. So many voices all vying to be heard, if the message has the appearance of being forced it can be enough to turn the heart and mind against it.
- tios_corner

and

Dear *commodities*,
Hi
You seem to be getting a lot of negative comments from ignorant people, so thought I'd email you to say that this is a really interesting project, very nicely thought out. I particularly liked your CV style list of previous and current exhibitions.
all the best
Adam
- manic_narcolept

29th auction

Polaroid Type 55 Pos/Neg 4x5 Film Unopened 6/06 closed at $56.00 the second time around. However, like the first time it was sought for in error–the bidder thinking it was for the film.

Canceled bids

It would appear that bolded text, all caps, italics, and additional clarification devices are useless when people simply do not read the item description. I emailed the two highest bidders recently and sure enough:

Hi!
Thank you for your email. Actually I didn't see it was as you said not for the box but a complete diffrent project about a photo about this item. Sorry for this. Could you so cancel my auction? Hope you will find someone interested!
Thank you !
E*******.

Sorry, I am not interested! Please disregard my bid! Best,
k******!

Curious

I was trying to verify some bids on Polaroid Type 55 Pos/Neg 4x5 Film Unopened 6/06 and received a new notice from eBay:

The curious part of it is that eBay only prevented me from contacting the high bidder. I successfully contacted the second highest bidder. My reconnaissance work shows that the high bidder has been buying up rare Polaroid film...