Holt's Archive - Restricted Access

[Buck25]

The other day I was trying to do some research from prior Holt's auctions. When I clicked on their "Archive" link I got the following message:

Access Restricted
You are not allowed to access this page.
If you would like to get access, please contact our administrator.

A couple of days after requesting access, I got the following response: "You can purchase our Archive section on our shop."

Sure enough: Access to HOLTS Catalogue Archives - Holts Shop: Browse HOLTS online archive catalogues of every auction from December 2006. Access will be via "My Holts" and will appear as an extra tab once you have logged in. Access to the HOLTS online archives are only available via an individual subscribers "My Holts" account. Simply purchase this service and an email will be sent to HOLTS who will activate your subscription $46

I didn't realize Holts was charging for this service.

[Garvin]

The other day I was trying to do some research from prior Holt's auctions. When I clicked on their "Archive" link I got the following message:

Access Restricted
You are not allowed to access this page.
If you would like to get access, please contact our administrator.

A couple of days after requesting access, I got the following response: "You can purchase our Archive section on our shop."

Sure enough: Access to HOLTS Catalogue Archives - Holts Shop: Browse HOLTS online archive catalogues of every auction from December 2006. Access will be via "My Holts" and will appear as an extra tab once you have logged in. Access to the HOLTS online archives are only available via an individual subscribers "My Holts" account. Simply purchase this service and an email will be sent to HOLTS who will activate your subscription $46

I didn't realize Holts was charging for this service.

Interesting Bruce Jr. I wonder how long before the auction pics go behind the paywall after the event itself?

Hermann Historica and Rock Island auctions don't seem to bother squeezing more cash out of punters, although I suppose this may change in time. We saved all the Beeman auction pics last year for the gallery, but I haven't decided how to display them yet.

[ccdjg]

One of the driving forces for this may be the number of online 'services' that for a fee will provide the descriptions and realised prices from most auctions. This is very useful information to auctioneers and traders for assessing market values. I presume Holts realised that they were missing trick here and decided to join them.

[rapidresponse1]

you could be right

[Muskett]

Got to pay for their shooting somehow.
I think they are having to charge as so many other commercial sites don't mind taking their pictures and information to sell on. Such auction historic content has value, and was hard earned. The need for a 'firewall" and all the added software and costs, just means they need to get something from it all.

Hours and hours of fun for £50. Other auction houses may well do the same. Once the extravagant paper catalogues were a nice earner, but they are all on line now.

Wish they didn't feel the need to, but....

[keith66]

Im not defending them but all those good photo's take a lot of time & collating & cost, Im not surprised they are charging for archive access, Otherwise they are giving stuff away for anyone else to use & in some cases earn from. I would charge if i was in their shoes.