Dark Horse's David Scroggy attended the Fiddler's Green Sandman convention last weekend (see 'Fiddler's Green Raises $45,000'), where approximately $45,000 was raised for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.  He shares his observations here.

Dark Horse was one of about eight exhibitors at Fiddler's Green. It was an intimate gathering- more like a big private party than a regular convention. A feeling of good fellowship from a shared interest (Sandman) prevailed.

It seemed as though the attendees were from all over. I asked everyone where they came from, and heard answers including: Tulsa, Seattle, upstate New York, Alabama, North Carolina, Brainerd (really- it was one of the town librarians), Plano, Texas, Santa Monica, Brooklyn and many other places.

It was exciting being at the CBLDF auction. The bidding could be described as spirited, passionate, insane or all-of-the-above. There were maybe 200 attendees in the room, so to say that bidders stepped up to the plate was an understatement. A few highlights: Jill Thompson painted a nice 'Delirium' on the back of a white leather jacket. I think that went for about $4,500.00. A set of four foreign editions of Stardust sold for $1,000.00. A cute ceramic rat that looked like Neil sold for $1,200.00 after opening at around $50.00.

Caitlin offered to write 1,000 words on any topic desired for the high bidder, and also to award them the copyright to the work. Greg Ketter of Dream Haven bought that for $1,000.00. He said he plans to publish it as a 'chapbook' with proceeds going to CBLDF.

The biggest sale was of the original art to a 2-page Sandman story that was scripted at the convention by Gaiman and Caitlin R. Kiernan  the first day, lettered by Todd Klein, and pencilled by Charles Vess  and Jill Thompson the next day. After spirited bidding it sold for  $10,000.00.

As a longtime member and supporter of CBLDF I felt fortunate to have been a part of it (and a contributor as well- I purchased two Jill Thompson color pieces for $1,500.00- and oddly enough felt like a piker while doing so), and was proud of Mr. Gaiman for his outstanding auctioneering skills, proud of the attendees for supporting the fund so strongly and very proud of the organizers for putting together the most successful single fundraiser ever.