By Lee Pfeiffer
If you've been a serious collector of movie memorabilia over the last 40 years or so, you will know the name Jerry Ohlinger. He has long been the king of selling vintage and current film posters, photos and other rarities. Ohlinger has operated out of several New York City stores since the 1970s. However, earlier this year, Ohlinger closed down his mid-town store because of increasing rent costs. He relocated to a smaller store where he sees customers by appointment only. However, in 2003 Ohlinger partnered with a New Jersey-based married couple who run their own movie memorabilia business. They jointly market and sell Ohlinger's materials via on eBay, with Ohlinger receiving 75% of the sales revenue. The bulk of Ohlinger's inventory is stored in a warehouse in Paterson, New Jersey. Now the business partners are embroiled in a law suit filed by Ohlinger, who states that the couple has illegally appropriated his inventory, which is estimated to be worth as much as $8 million. Ohlinger has apparently fallen behind on his obligation to pay for most of the rental costs on the Paterson warehouse, but says he had an agreement with the couple that, should such a circumstance arise, such costs would be deducted from his share of on-line sales revenues. Ohlinger also claims that his former business partners are maintaining that they actually purchased the entire inventory years ago for a mere $70,000. In a lawsuit filed in Newark on October 22, Ohlinger is seeking possession of his warehouse inventory and $5 million in damages. Neither party would comment to Northjersey.com reporter Hugh R. Morley, stating that they were acting on advice from their attorneys. Click here to read.
(For previous coverage about Jerry Ohlinger, click here)