Selling The Death of a Dictionary Options

[swami]

Hi everyone,

After 13 years of collecting Live, and after amassing nearly 900 discography collectibles by the band, I have finally decided to sell it all off. No, nobody hacked into my Fansoflive account and posted this message. This is for real. It took some thought, but the time has come.

The first item I'm selling is the Holy Grail itself: Public Affection's "The Death of a Dictionary". The item is currently up on eBay at the following address:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Public-Affection-The-D...1QQcmdZViewItem

A large portion of the collection will be sold in a private sale to a fellow collector who shall remain nameless. However, likely as many as 400 items will sell either through me on eBay or directly through the store on Live Collector's Resource. If there is anything in particular that anyone is interested in, please message me here or send me an e-mail (webmaster at livediscography dot com).

Happy bidding

[Badman]

I only wish I owned that. Why sell it all off? Are you still going to maintain your site and continue to be a fan?

[torcatofan]

Why sell it all off?

Because he realizes Live is only going downhill.

Good decision swami. Good luck.

[Hoodstock]

Why would anyone buy it when it can be downloaded for free?

Nastalgia is way overrated, especially in music. I already own the material (on CD nonetheless). An old tape sitting on my shelf is stupid.

[torcatofan]

Why would anyone buy it when it can be downloaded for free?

Nastalgia is way overrated, especially in music. I already own the material (on CD nonetheless). An old tape sitting on my shelf is stupid.

Dude, the DOAD cassette is the holy grail for Live fans. Every true Live fan is going to disagree with you on this one, I promise.

If I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to bid.

[Badman]

If I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to bid.

Same here. Stupid expensive college...

[swami]

Hoodstock,

If you're not a collector, then yes, it seems outrageous to pay more than $10 or so for a cassette tape from 1989. However, within the Live world there is a subset of fans that also collect the rarities that the band has released. For a very long time (more than half my life), I was part of that subset.

The point, when it comes to collectibles, is not about the music. For instance, whether the tape I'm selling sells for $100 or $1,000, I would HOPE that the buyer either NEVER plays the tape, or plays it only once in order to make a digital copy of the original. The Death of a Dictionary is EXACTLY the type of thing that should sit in a shelf. Nobody takes out the Mona Lisa and plays with it everyday. It has intrinsic value, and it is so highly esteemed that it remains untouched, day to day. TDOAD is not the Mona Lisa. But, when it comes to Live collecting, it might as well be

[AgentK7]

Not to undercut the argument that TDoaD cassette is the Live fan equivalent of the Holy Grail (which it certainly is, considering only 1000 or so were made), but I think the recent release of the "rarities" album on the "Action Front" label may be an indication that they will finally self-release TDoaD on CD in the future.

I'm not sure if this should affect the value of the tape or not, but I will say I'd love a properly mastered CD of this material. Even though TDoaD does seem a bit juvenile compared to their later releases, there are some real gems (two of the best songs, Saviour For A Day seems a bit silly/pretentious now, but Raising A Man is still a great sounding tune). For some reason I've had Morning Humor in my head a lot lately....

....you know I don't know why they've waited so long to re-release this album, there is absolutely nothing to be embarassed about, it's a great little record.

This post has been edited by AgentK7: Sep 19 2007, 8:12 pm

[swami]

I have to say, I doubt TDOAD will be re-released. Radiant Sea may be on Action Front, but this really doesn't strike me as a huge change. FOL loves to call this CD an "album", which I believe is a misnomer. It's not available commercially, it contains only two new tracks, and it LOOKS like something I wouldn't even present to my artwork consideration team as a possibility. Until I give up the discography site, I will list Radiant Sea under Section 3: Samplers and Other Releases. I think it fits there much more appropriately than alongside Throwing Copper or Birds of Pray.

We must also remember that this is NOT the only other release on Action Front. The 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 Friends of Live Holiday Gifts were all Action Front releases, as well as the 2000 Millennium Gift. Maybe Radiant Sea appears to be the "only" other release on Action Front, but if it does it's for two reasons:

1. Live is independent now, as they were when they released TDOAD.
2. FOL says it is.

Just my two cents. But really...Live would probably like TDOAD to be ignored. They stand to make NO money on any type of commercial re-release. The best you can hope for is a limited edition CD re-issue through your Homespun subscription. Even in such a case, the original cassette will still maintain its value.

[Tina]

I have the money but my husband would kill me to spend that on a cassette tape. He just doesn't get it. I keep missing my chances of owning a real copy of DOAD. I'll just be happy with my copy.

[AgentK7]

Just my two cents. But really...Live would probably like TDOAD to be ignored. They stand to make NO money on any type of commercial re-release. The best you can hope for is a limited edition CD re-issue through your Homespun subscription. Even in such a case, the original cassette will still maintain its value.

You're probably right about them never releasing it on CD, but I always try hold out a little hope. I mean, if they can't even be bothered to release what would be a good b-side album (back in their "contract" days), instead releasing a "rarities" album of live songs that we have a million variations of already, what hope is there.

[aLIVEinNORWAY]

I have the money but my husband would kill me to spend that on a cassette tape. He just doesn't get it. I keep missing my chances of owning a real copy of DOAD. I'll just be happy with my copy.

Go for it girl

[EvilOne]

Swami, that breaks my heart to see you sell that.

Yes TOAD is the HOLY FRICKIN Grail.

You are also offering it for a very fair price.

if you've got the cash, bid bid.

[Tina]

Go for it girl

I wish I could.

[Hoodstock]

Dude, the DOAD cassette is the holy grail for Live fans. Every true Live fan is going to disagree with you on this one, I promise.

The Holy Grail doesn't exist.

I am a huge Live fan and I don't care. I get collecting stuff but this is just dumb. I'll buy your cassette for $5, break it, and listen to my CD of DOAD that I bought from the record store.

After Savior For A Day I will shut it off becuase the rest is pretty bad.