Thank you for the report. I have also observed the same trends in collecting.
I belong to a small loosely knit group of old-time collectors who meet rather randomly. We are throw-backs to the days of "competitive collecting" where we would avidly look forward to each meeting to show off our latest acquisitions. Everyone also included a dissertation on the history of their arm, which made the gatherings informative and educational, too. Each individual would make every attempt to convince the group that his example was the best one of the day! The meetings were replete with fine whiskey, good cigars, and would last long into the night. Today, whenever those few of us who are left happen to meet, we reminisce how great "The Good ol' Days" were for collecting, swap stories and tall tales, remember those who have passed on with stories about them, and lament how we are "never going to get our money out" of what we have! We then close with a moderate lunch with nothing stronger than coffee, and are home long before dark!
J.