Welcome to the WC, wherein you’re trapped in my mind for eight to ten minutes weekly.
Last week, we looked at loads of different investing ideas. Some were better than others.
I’m slightly concerned that you think counterfeit cognac is a better opportunity than French wine or owning an iconic piece of music history, but you know better than I do.
This week, we’ve got a mixed bag:
- Viva la Mexico
- Investable Gifts Part One – Lego
- Investable Gifts Part Two – Alternate Film Posters
- Investable Gifts Part Three – Books
Let’s go.
Table of Contents
Viva la Mexico
Mexico has been in the news a lot lately with President-elect Trump’s promise to impose 25% tariffs on both America’s southern and neighbors unless they find a way to curb both fentanyl and migrant movements into the US.
Uncowed, recently elected Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promised to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US while noting that 70% of the firearms used by gangs down south come from the USA.
Some scoff, but her threat is real and would have a tangible impact on American business, particularly if Canada chose the same path.
Canada and Mexico comprise over one-third of American exports, totaling well over $650 billion. And number three is also on Trump’s hit list.
Mexico is a big deal and a bit of a dark horse.
This is all a very long lead-up to my announcing our Mexico 2025 trip in April next year for Altea members.
The aim is to spend a week each in Mexico City and Jalisco (home of Tequila).
Here’s the glossy marketing pitch in one very long sentence:
Dive into Mexico’s most promising investment opportunities through an expertly curated two-week journey combining exclusive access to government officials, tech leaders, and tequila distilleries while enjoying luxury accommodations, Michelin-caliber dining, and VIP cultural experiences across Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Tequila’s ancient agave fields.
If this sounds like your kind of thing, you can apply to Altea today.
Investable Gifts Part One – Lego
Longtime Alts readers know Legos are a legitimately investable asset.
Double-digit returns are the norm for savvy collectors, and though scaling the investment is tricky when most sets sell for under $1,000, it’s a fun way to collect and profit from something truly joyous.
It caught my eye when I learned Lego teamed up with F1, which has also become rather investable over the last few years.
Available for pre-order now, the sets are tiny but pretty affordable as far as Lego sets go.
I don’t know if the F1 sets will reach the heady heights of the Millennium Falcon, but they look like a fantastic gift for Lego and F1 fans with a side of potential appreciation.
Investable Gifts Part Two – Alternate Film Posters
Vintage film posters, especially those from cult horror films, can fetch well over $100k at auction.
But there’s a more affordable entry point to this market that can prove just as lucrative (and looks just as good on your wall).
Alternate film posters. These are posters produced after the fact, usually by a different artist, that aim to capture the spirit of the fans of cult movies.
Take this Jaws poster, for example.
Created by Laurent Durieux, the poster was originally sold on Mondo for $60.
Last week, a copy sold at auction for nearly $4,000.
This is an outlier, for sure, but if there’s a film a friend or loved one adores that’s also a cult favourite—like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, for example—it might be a good idea to pick up a copy or two this holiday season.
Personally, this is more my speed.
Investable Gifts Part Three – Books
Ok let’s stick with alternate versions of very expensive things.
Limited edition books.
This is the same deal as alternate film posters. Proper first editions can easily run six figures, and indeed collecting them is a worthy endeavour. I collect first editions of banned books, though none of my trophies is at that level.
Like Mondo on the posters side, there are a several publishers that specialise in limited edition books.
And like Mondo posters, these books fetch a tidy premium on the secondary market.
Suntup
The Folio Society
Taschen
The trick here is getting books on the primary market, usually when they’re available for pre-order.
Let’s see what’s available now.
Taschen has the coffee table book to rule them all coming out soon
National Gallery. Art Edition No. 1–100, Flora Yukhnovich ‘Syrinx’, 2024.
Numbered to 100 and signed by Flora Yukhnovich, this is avaialble for pre-order for $3,000
While Neil Gaiman’s reputation has taken a justified hit lately due to the charges brought against him, the eBay sale above demonstrates he’s still got a loyal following. And his reputation may recover.
Limited to 1,250 editions, there are still a few lower-end versions of the upcoming Suntup print of American Gods for $295.
There’s also a beautiful edition of Of Mice and Men coming up for a bit less if that’s your jam.
There’s nothing I can see available for pre-order at Folio Society (make sure to join their mailing to be kept in the know), but there are several titles that would make any bibliophile’s heart flutter.
- Dracula – $345
- Selected Poems (Thomas Hardy) – $475
- Neuromancer – $600
- Dune – $695
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – $875
- The Complete Plays (William Shakespeare) – $1,500
- The Lord of the Rings – $1,500
If anyone out there is shopping for me, I’ll take a copy of On the Origin of the Species before it’s banned.
That’s all for this week; I hope you enjoyed it.
Cheers,
Wyatt
Disclosures
