Print Sale Update

I wanted to bring people up to speed on what's happening with the Charlie Cramer print sale that ended last Friday.

Before the sale started, Charlie and I figured it was a safe guess we'd sell at least 100, so Charlie laid in supplies for that many orders, and he got a good drop on the printing before the sale was even announced—I think he had more than 50 done before the very first order was placed. So he was able to ship the first orders almost immediately, and the next 50 shortly thereafter. So some people have actually already received their prints.

As it happened, the sale was more popular than either of us guessed. I still have not got the accounting all done—working on it—but the total number of prints sold will end up well north of 350. So right now we're in a bit of a lull while Charlie orders reinforcements—more shipping boxes, cardboard, print envelopes, interleaving sheets, and of course, his new favorite paper, Canson Platine. The first 100 are all shipped, and Charlie will resume shipments as the new supplies arrive over the next two weeks.

We're promising delivery in six weeks from the end of the sale, which means that, if you ordered from anywhere in the world, you ought to have your print by April 2nd. If you haven't got it by then, don't worry—please just be in touch. We'll be sure to keep a few extras in reserve to send out as replacements if need be. (In past sales we've lost anywhere from none to four packages, if memory serves, although two of those four eventually did turn up.) So you will absolutely get your print(s) even if some mail or shipping service somewhere slips up.

And if you haven't gotten an acknowledgement of your order, don't worry about that either—we are learning how to do this, and things went very smoothly this time, but one thing I forgot to set up was the automatic acknowledgment of receipt of payment. Sorry about that. (I needed to leave room to improve for next time, I guess.)

So please be patient. Charlie's a fast worker, and very conscientious, but fine prints in this volume are a lot of work to produce and package, believe me.

Oh, and when I get the final numbers, I'll report them here.

If anyone has any questions you can leave a comment. (If you happen to have received your order already, we wouldn't mind hearing what you think.) And thanks again to everyone!

Mike

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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[richard]

Mine arrived tout-de-suite, and I'm in Switzerland. Thanks! And very extremely beautiful it is too (Aspens)

[Ari]

I've already received my "Aspen" print, and it's gorgeous! I was a bit worried that it would be merely pretty, and therefore ultimately boring. But the actual print (as opposed to the online JPEG) is really mesmerizing in its subtlety and detail. Thanks, Charlie and Mike, for another great TOP print sale!

[Edie Howe]

Charlie is a mensch, and I am so glad this print sale went so well! Congrats.

[Ken Tanaka]

Charlie: I feel your discomfort, as I also had to "call for reinforcements" (paper and packing). Thank goodness we're not in the restaurant business.

That Canson Platine is a particularly good choice for the Aspens print. Very nice background tone, not too bright, not too cold but not too warm either. I've also recently taken a fling with this paper, initially on an image that needed a little base warmth but not too much. The Platine was excellent. It's now in my (intentionally small) palette of papers.

[Santiago]

I too live Switzerland and found "Aspen in the Fog" yesterday. It is a magnificent print, with depth, mood, superb detail, and the colors that for me define these trees so beautifully. Thank you, Charles, thank you, Mike !

[cfw]

How are you all sending the prints - UPS,USPS, FED-EX? Is a signature required upon delivery?

cfw

[David Nicol]

Looking at the Canson website I see that they say the paper is "Internally buffered to resist gas fading and maximise the conservation of your prints"

I was just wondering how that relates to the buffered / unbuffered materials that have been talked about recently regarding print display etc.

[Alan Huntley]

I, too, have already received my "Aspen" print and it's stunning! I have lusted after an original Charlie Cramer image for many years and thanks to both Mike and Charlie I can now enjoy a beautiful example of his work for many years to come. Thanks, again, for this wonderful opportunity.

[Mark Hespenheide]

Like Ari and Richard, the print of "Aspens" arrived last Friday. I don't have any wallspace for it, so it will stay in hibernation for the time being, but it's beautiful...

A hearty thank you to you both.

[Charles Cramer]

The prints are all being sent via the US Post Office, and no signature is required. The boxes are very sturdy, with four more layers of cardboard inside protecting the print. Judging from previous comments, it seems the post office is being very quick with their deliveries. I'll be able to start sending more next week. Thanks for ordering a print!

[Arne Croell]

I received my two prints on Tuesday and they are beautiful! The paper looks indeed nice, even for me coming from a traditional b/w glossy FB paper background. And Charles' packaging is quite sturdy.

[Timo]

Already took my print ('Aspens') for framing ... thank you to Charles and Mike.

[Ray Hudson]

Also got my 'Aspen' print, via the USPS. Echoing all above, wonderful packaging, etc. I got the print both to add to my very meager collection of other's prints, but also to see what a very good inkjet can look like, and to have it on hand to compare my attempts at printing. Beautiful print, it's a pleasure to look at, and it's going to help me see where the bar should be set. I'm glad I did this, thanks Mike.

Ray Hudson

[Erez]

I had a delightful surprise a few minutes ago and got my print, here in New Zealand. I didn't expect it for at least 3 more weeks.
The print is fantastic.

Thanks for the continuing print offers as otherwise I'd never be able to afford them.

[Joe]

I received Aspens two days ago - 2/22. Wonderful composition as well as a natural scenic moment I wish I could be present at more often of during my own travels. Thank you Charles and Mike.

We find that it displays best at a lower room lighting level, bringing out the darker mood of a forest clearing under the fog-diffused daylight.

[Richard]

That is a lot of proud new owners of a Charlie Cramer print!

Thanks for the update, I am looking forward to receiving my copy of the Aspens as well.

[Michael Bearman]

I did not order this time much as I wanted to - ctein's prints are still awaiting framing - and I have run out of spousal approval and wall space. But it seems to me that TOP's print sales must be the most successful method of selling photographic prints ever- 350 prints over two images in a week! I can't think of any artist who would not kill for that kind of exposure or those sales. Mike- it's time to give up TOP and start an on-line art gallery.

[Tom]

Am I the only person on the planet who ONLY ordered the canyon reflections print?

[Mike Johnston]

Tom,
No, but I don't have an accurate breakdown yet. I'll tell you exactly when I finish the spreadsheet.

Mike

[Richard]

My Aspen's print is already matted, framed on hung on my wall. I just love looking at it. Great work Charlie!

[Tony]

Just received my Aspen's print this morning - a very nice surprise as I wasn't expecting it so soon (am in England). Arrived very well packaged and in perfect condition. It's an absolutely beautiful print - the online image does not do it justice. Thank you Charles and Mike.