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I have started to take requests for Author Watch through the AuctionBytes.com Book Forum, and one person suggested that I write a piece on Richard Neutra. I have to confess that I had never heard of Neutra before and I had to do some research on him. After finding out some facts about the Viennese architect, I knew I had to write something about him. I intend to showcase some German writers and German books over the coming Bookologist issues, so Neutra seems a good place to start.
Richard Neutra was born in Austria in 1892 and emigrated to the U.S. in 1929. He worked as an architect and soon became well known for his unique and modern designs. The architecture of Vienna influenced his work in many ways. One of his houses, entitled the Health House, was built in 1928 and was recently featured in the Russell Crowe movie "LA Confidential" as the home of vice-boss Pierce Patchett.
The books in question all feature houses designed by Neutra. His popularity seems to be concentrated solely in the United States as there were no listings for Neutra on British and German eBay. On Amazon.com, there are many Neutra books listed but to get a feel for the prices people are really willing to pay, I checked the eBay.com auctions that had finished or were about to finish.
Average Selling Prices
On eBay.com, I found a complete works of Richard Neutra that ended at an impressive $631 after 32 bids. That was definitely a book that they fought over! Other books are easily finishing in the hundreds of dollars range and a few are around $50. This is definitely an author in big demand in the United States, but his popularity doesn't seem to extend outside the United States. There weren't even any listings for Neutra on eBay Canada.
Tips
During my browsing through eBay.com, I noticed that the books that were fetching the highest prices were all wrapped in their original plastic covering or had been sealed in boxes for many years. But even copies of Neutra's books that had seen better days were getting impressive prices. It seems that in the U.S., people can't get enough of Richard Neutra and his architecture.
Related Web Sites
http://www.neutra.org
http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Richard_Neutra.html
http://www.socalhistory.org/Biographies/neutra.htm
The Author Watch column is to help advise on which kinds of authors to watch out for and which ones to avoid when it comes to reselling. Please feel free to write to me at camelot_de@gmx.de and disagree with me, share your opinions, or nominate authors you think should be included. While not an "expert," I have a basic understanding of good authors, especially the kinds of authors to acquire or to avoid when it comes to reselling. By working together, perhaps we can compile a list of good-selling authors in the op market. Also feel free to post in the Book Forum at
http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=5.
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