The Three Graces
Sponsored by John Lefferdink of Cardiff, California
After visiting the Tierra Cotta Warriors, and almost getting arrested for
photographing them as it was 'Verboten', we (the tour) ate at a local
restaurant with a park next to it. I found these ladies just after having
lunch, and thought it was just adorable. I stopped and instantly hid my face
and camera setup by huddling against a wall, turning from the walkway, as
the Chinese folks were so enamored with westerners they would flock to me in
huge numbers at just seeing me stand still. That would have stopped me from
getting this image. I pre-focused down the wall, guessing the distance they
were behind me, and just after turning and getting the shot I realized I'd
shot it with b&w. My collectors had pre-purchased a color image, so I
frantically turned around and started to change backs on the camera. At that
same moment my worst fears came true. They were awakened by some guy walking
by with a ghetto blaster radio cranked way up (the only time in the three
week trip I even saw anybody with one). I continued changing the backs
anyway and turned around to see they had fallen to sleep again anyway.
Thank-U-Lord.
Price on the China originals.
Prices on the
sponsored China originals.
Note:
These images are from Seewald's second 'sponsored' series, created back in
1987. Back then, 16x20's were the only size Seewald made available, in editions of only (10) each.
Some of the China images were not chosen, as we always have more images to
chose from than we have sponsors, so if you would like to get one let us
know. They are about 10% of the price, as they are not in a limited
edition.
THESE IMAGES, editions wise,
ARE VERY, VERY RARE.
When these sell
out Michael will destroy the negative!!!
That is the reason the price increases with each sale.
Fifteen years ago, the 25 sponsors of these
images invested, sight un-seen, at $350 per 16"x20". Now,
all of them are $20,000
minimum in value. Some of them
(2) are
up to $100,000 in value, due to
sales!! Seewald allows only 8 sponsors to pre-purchase images
'sight-unseen' these days! Prices for sponsoring increase every couple of years.
To sponsor your own, like over 350 other collectors have now done, see: Sponsor Program, see:
Pricing History)
This
is the
current pricing schedule:
Image
#1 - Went to the sponsor.
#2 - Seewald keeps.
#3 - Museums get this one.
#4 - $20,000 (The first available image to the public.)
#5 - $30,000 (Next available image to the public, etc.)
#6 - $40,000 "
"
#7 - $50,000 "
"
#8 - $100,000 "
"
#9 - $250,000 "
"
#10 $500,000 "
"
We
still have some at the $20K price, but as each one sells it is increased,
with some at the $30K, $40K, $50K and even the $100K prices now.
********************************************************
Originally,
believe it or not, the following was to be
the selling schedule. It has been revised a few times as Michael has
completed more trips, won more major awards and watched photographic art
come into 'it's own' over the decades.
Everyone GASPED when they saw this back in
1988.
#4 - $600 (opening night release price)
#5 - $700
#6 - $800
#7 - $900
#8 - $1,000
#9 - $1,250
#10 -$1,500