http://www.nytimes.com/li...omics.html



I've posted the relevant pice of the article belowfor those who don't want to
reigster at nytimes.com



Bidders Beware



In the world according to Ebay, every knickknack has a price -- and in many
cases, that price is climbing faster than the Dow. But it is not always easy
to distinguish between the valuable commodities and the rest of the junk in
the attic. Herewith, a guide to the laggards and underperformers of the
auction world. By HOPE REEVES



FALLEN IDOLS
There is, naturally, an enormous price gap between the stuff of legends --
the Beatles, Elvis, etc. -- and that of the merely popular. But the markets
are most volatile in the case of artists who once seemed destined for
permanent superstardom, then lost their way. Such an artist is the Artist (formerly known as Prince). The cloud guitar Prince played on the "Lovesexy"
tour was auctioned in 1993 by Christie's of London for about 10,000 pounds. A
similar model sold last fall for just 2,100 pounds. Giles Moon, Sotheby's
rock memorabilia expert, blames the star's reclusiveness, as well as his
recent lack of hit records.