Supply and Demand

**FRD** · #1 01-10-2016, 07:04 AM

This is a classic example of supply and demand.

Imagine my surprise when I was surfing ebay and came across this->

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-100th-Scale-Card-Model-of-the-U-S-S-Monitor-Kit-/172021951777?hash=item280d4ead21:g:yzEAAOSwp5JWW7f k

It's the 1/100 scale prototype I designed of the Monitor model featuring the complete full hull and interior details.

This Model was produced between 2000-2005 in consultation with project specialist with NOAA during the recovery effort.

Only twenty were produced by Lou Dausse and Paper Models international in 2008, I know where five of the twenty are (this one makes six)

Extremely rare and highly detailed I was not surprised that the asking price was $55 as the original prints were marketed by PMI for $50

True it is a very limited print and no more will be produced, unless more of the fourteen unaccounted for show up on the market, I don't expect the price to decrease.

Here are a few images of the assembled prototype

**FRD** · #2 01-10-2016, 09:50 AM

I just about choked when I saw the $75 listing price, I contacted the seller and informed him that the original retail price was only $50 but he just blew me off, at the time of publication, I thought $50 was too high but I had no say, PMI set the price based on their production cost

**murphyaa** · #3 01-10-2016, 01:04 PM

Did you see this part?

"On 1/9/16 I was contacted by the creator of this item, who stated that only twenty copies were made and that the information to design it was based directly on what was learned from the raising of the wreck of the Monitor."

Probably explains why it went from $55 to $75...

**airdave** · #4 01-10-2016, 01:15 PM

I don't think its that far out of line.

Civil War stuff is always in demand.
Its a printed kit...ready to cut and assemble.
Its now a rare "vintage" kit (by collector's standards).
It looks like its unopened in its original package.
Even without knowing the details you provided, its easily a $55 model.
Its a collectors item without a doubt
...and a fabulous model to boot.

I would probably have put $75 on it myself.

**FRD** · #5 01-10-2016, 02:33 PM

I was quite surprised to see it on ebay, I now know where 6 are, that leaves 14 unaccounted for, "out there", somewhere.

They've been around since 2008, hard to tell how many got cut up and assembled or half assembled and thrown away, I'm curious as to how many of the 20 are still around.

I'm not sure how many of the 20 were sold by PMI and how many, if any were still in Lou's innovatory when he sold PMI

**airdave** · #6 01-10-2016, 03:03 PM

2008? Well, thats "ANTIQUE" by some folk's standards!
Make it $85

**aaronlam** · #7 01-10-2016, 11:54 PM

Just curious asking, why not print / re-print some more? This can allow collector to have the model at a reasonable price and the author will also benefit with it.

Now the money is earned by the re-seller but author / PMI cannot earn more from it....

Just curious asking....

**Diderick A. den Bakker** · #8 01-11-2016, 07:12 AM

FRD: Buy it back, make good scans and offer them for sale via Ecardmodels. You will probably earn back the outlay quite quickly, and make a little bit more. Everybody happy.

**FRD** · #9 01-11-2016, 10:13 AM

It's a large print, measures 12" x 18", (30.4 cm x 45.7 cm) I have it in .PDF format but it is too large for most home printers.

**romfolmar** · #10 01-11-2016, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRD

It's a large print, measures 12" x 18", (30.4 cm x 45.7 cm) I have it in .PDF format but it is too large for most home printers.

It could be set to a print shop.