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| HIST > SEC Filings for HIST > Form 10-Q on 14-Aug-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
14-Aug-2009
Quarterly Report
Forward Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as
amended, relating to the Company's future operations and prospects,
including statements that are based on current projections and
expectations about the markets in which the Company operates, and
management's beliefs concerning future performance and capital
requirements based upon current available information. Such
statements are based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions
made by and information currently available to management. When used
in this document, words like "may," "might," "will," "expect,"
"anticipate," "believe," and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward looking statements. Those forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or
achievements of those of the Company's industry to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Among the
factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievement
to differ materially from those described or implied in the forward-
looking statements are the current widespread economic recession, the
Company's ability to obtain additional capital, on reasonable terms,
if at all, at such times and in such amounts as may be needed by the
Company; competition by entities which may have greater resources
than the Company; the Company's ability to market and sell its
inventory of historical documents; the Company's ability to correctly
value its inventory of documents; and other factors included in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"). Copies of the Company's SEC filings are available from the
SEC, on its website (www.sec.gov), or may be obtained upon request
from the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to
update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of the
date of this filing.
Overview
Gallery of History, Inc. and its 100%-owned subsidiaries
(collectively the "Company") acquires documents of historical or
social significance and markets these documents to the general
public. Except for the cost of documents that are sold and certain
selling expenses, most of the Company's other costs and expenses are
relatively fixed. While management believes that the Company's
inventory of documents has substantially appreciated, the Company has
been unable to produce sufficient volume of sales to the general
public and has incurred significant operating losses for the past
several years. (See also discussion of the Company's operating cycle
under "Critical Accounting Estimates, Policies, and Practices,"
below.) As a result, the Company has been (and will continue to be)
dependent upon debt financing, including loans from its majority
stockholder, to satisfy its obligations when due.
The unique or near-unique characteristics of some documents held in inventory may cause them to become rarer with their current market value rising significantly over time. In many instances, the Company has a supply of similar documents that, if marketed simultaneously, could negatively impact market value. As a result, managing the rarity of certain types or categories of documents through the judicious marketing of only a selection of documents available in the Company's inventory is an important element of the Company's business. This element is one of the reasons that the Company has accumulated and maintains a supply of documents that is significantly greater than it intends to sell in a year or even aggressively market.
The Company had a bank line of credit in the amount of $100,000 through August 14, 2009. The Company's bank refused to renew this line of credit without the personal guarantee from Mr. Axelrod. Mr. Axelrod has elected not to give this guarantee and has loaned the Company $30,000 to pay the outstanding amount in full as of July 30, 2009. In addition, Mr. Axelrod has agreed to lend the Company the balance of the monies that were available under this line of credit. The Company's term mortgage note was renewed in July 2007 and has a principal balance of $1,030,095 as of June 30, 2009. The mortgage has an 8.25% interest rate and a maturity date of July 15, 2012. The note is collateralized by the Company's building.
As discussed in the notes to the financial statements, prior to 2007, the Company borrowed $1,000,000 from its principal officer/stockholder, which was converted into 800,000 shares of the company's common stock on June 11, 2008. The conversion rate of $1.25 represented a premium in relation to the closing price of the common stock on the date of the transaction. The shares were issued out of treasury stock held by the Company. The Company also has other loans outstanding from Mr. Axelrod, borrowed from time to time. These loans carried an interest rate of 3% through June 30, 2009; Mr. Axelrod lowered the rate to .7% effective July 1, 2009. The principal balance on these obligations totaled $1,728,053 and $1,232,752 as of June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The borrowed funds were used to supplement cash flows from operating activities.
The Company endeavors to improve its operating results by increasing its internet exposure. Its direct website has become the Company's principal distribution channel. Because of the size and diversity of its inventory, management believes the Company is well positioned to compete favorably with other firms offering similar products, but has not yet generated sufficient sales to make a profit. To generate sufficient sales, the Company may need (but has not committed) to lower prices in addition to adding more of its available inventory to the website. The Company also continues to offer discount promotions on its website with some success, while still maintaining its profit margin in excess of 90%.
The foregoing notwithstanding, the United States is experiencing a widespread recession accompanied by, among other things, declining discretionary spending, a reduction in general credit availability and instability in the commercial and investment banking systems, and is engaged in war, all of which are likely to have continue to have far-reaching effects on economic activity in the country for an indeterminate period. The near- and long-term impact of these factors on the economy and the Company's operations, or the Company's principal stockholder's ability to continue to provide financial support to the Company, cannot be predicted at this time but may be substantial.
Subject to the future effects of the economic uncertainties discussed in the foregoing paragraph, the Company's management believes that its current cash requirements will be met by generating revenues from operations, appropriately managing the timing and volume of new document acquisitions, including the use of the revenue- sharing agreement with Mr. Axelrod, seeking additional borrowings collateralized by its documents inventory (although there can be no assurance that such financing will be obtainable on acceptable terms) and borrowing from Mr. Axelrod as required. Mr. Axelrod has also agreed not to demand payment on his loans to the Company and, if necessary, defer his right to receive interest payments and dividends on preferred stock through at least October 31, 2010.
Revenues
The Company recognizes revenues from document sales when title
passes to the customer upon shipment. Typically, shipment does not
occur until payment has been received. The Company's distribution
channels consist of its direct purchase websites and other internet
avenues including eBay. Shipping and handling costs and related
customer charges are not significant.
Inventory of documents owned and operating cycle
Documents owned are stated at cost on a specific-identification
method, not in excess of estimated market value. Management reviews
the recorded cost and estimated value of the documents owned on a
regular basis (at least quarterly) to determine the adequacy of the
allowance for market value declines, if any.
Management believes that the Company's inventory of documents is generally appreciating, not depreciating, in value, despite current economic conditions and uncertainties. As a result, managing the rarity of certain types or categories of documents through the judicious marketing of only a selection of documents available in the Company's inventory is an important element of the Company's business. This element is one of the reasons that the Company has accumulated and maintains a supply of documents that is significantly greater than it intends to sell in a year or even aggressively market. As the Company's distribution channels have changed over the years and are expected to continue to change in the future, the volume of documents marketed in any one year, or succession of years, changes significantly. For these reasons, it has been impractical, for the Company to define its operating cycle and, as a result, presents its balance sheet on an unclassified basis. The Company believes that this presentation better reflects the nature of the Company's business and its principal asset.
Over the past several years, the cost of the Company's inventory as of its fiscal year end has ranged from its present level of approximately $6.4 million to roughly $7.2 million, which management believes is a sufficient supply of documents to provide for managing rarity and its other purposes. Management has no current intention of significantly changing the composition of its inventory and, as a result, the Company accounts for changes in the cost of documents owned as an adjustment to arrive at cash flows from operating activities.
Deferred tax assets and income taxes
The Company provides a valuation allowance against deferred tax
assets (primarily associated with tax loss carryforwards) to the
extent that such tax assets exceed an amount considered by management
as more likely than not to be utilized as a result of any gain on the
Company's effective tax planning strategies, as defined in Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 109, "Accounting for
Income Taxes", consisting of the possible sale of appreciated document
inventory, particularly if partially sold in bulk, and/or real
estate, that would produce gains that may be realized as needed to
protect the Company's loss carryforwards. The potential gain and
related tax effect is estimated based on management's perception of
current market activity and estimate of value and historical profit
margins and trends. Such estimates are revisited and revised quarterly.
Effective with the quarter ended December 31, 2007, we were required to apply FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" (FIN 48). Based on our analysis of our tax provisions, deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance, we determined that there was no impact to our financial statements upon initial adoption of the provisions of FIN 48, including with respect to our operating deficit or related disclosures.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, "Noncontrolling Interests
in Consolidated Financial Statements". It requires that a noncontrolling
(minority) interest in a subsidiary, including a variable interest entity,
should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements.
Although SFAS 160 will be technically effective for the Company's fiscal year
beginning October 1, 2009, it will not likely have any effect on the Company's
consolidated financial statements since we are not presently contemplating
investing in, establishing or acquiring a subsidiary with a noncontrolling
interest.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141R, "Business Combinations", which replaces SFAS 141, "Business Combinations". Also, in April of 2008, the FASB issued FSP SFAS 141R-1, "Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies", to address some of the application issues under SFAS 141R. FSP SFAS 141R-1 deals with the initial recognition and measurement of an asset acquired or a liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency (provided the fair value on the date of acquisition of the related asset or liability can be determined). We have not yet evaluated SFAS 141R or FSP SFAS 141R-1 for the impact, if any, that either might have on our future financial statements in the event we make any business combination or other covered acquisitions after its effective date, which for us will be for acquisitions after September 30, 2009. No such transactions are presently contemplated.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, "Fair Value Measurements". This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements in the financial statements, if any. The effective date for SFAS 157 for us with respect to nonfinancial assets and liabilities carried at fair value, will be fiscal year 2010, and the interim periods within that fiscal year. However, the requirements of SFAS 157 will not apply to our financial statements unless we elect to do so which election has not been made and is presently not expected, or unless we engage in transactions that will require the use of fair value accounting, also not expected. Accordingly, there is no likely impact on our future financial statements expected of SFAS 157 or any related subsequent standard.
Revenues decreased 44% comparing the three month periods and they decreased 26% comparing the nine month periods ended June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2008. Revenues generated from the Company's web site decreased 44% comparing the quarters and decreased 19% comparing the nine month periods. Revenues generated through the Company's eBay site decreased 46% comparing the quarter periods and down 69% comparing the year to date periods. An overall decrease in discretionary spending and the general economic condition continues to have a negative effect on our business.
Included in revenues is the 80% of gross profit from the sales generated through the revenue-sharing arrangement the Company has with Mr. Axelrod, as explained earlier. For the three month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, are fees of $9,867 and $1,095 respectively, associated with this arrangement. For the nine month periods, the fees amounted to $21,717 for 2009 and $7,096 for 2008.
Cost of documents sold continues to decrease comparing the periods generally due to pricing increases. For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009, cost of documents sold was 6% of net revenues compared to 7% of net revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. For the nine month period ended June 30, 2009, cost of documents sold amount to 7% of net revenues compared to 8% of net revenues for the previous year's nine month period.
Total operating expenses decreased 7% comparing both the three month periods and the nine month periods ended June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2008. This is the same results for selling, general and administrative expenses, 7% decrease comparing the quarter and year-to-date periods. A large decrease resulted in the reduction of salaries. Comparing the quarter periods, the Company realized an 18% decrease in salaries and related taxes and benefits; comparing the nine month periods, the Company realized an 11% decrease. The Company's computer maintenance expenses decreased 13% comparing the quarter periods and decreased 11% comparing the nine month periods.
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses is 50% of the operating cost to maintain our headquarters building. This percentage is the ratio that the square footage occupied by the Company's headquarters operation bears to the total leasable space of the building. The remainder of our building operating expenses are netted against rental income realized and included in other income and expense. This net rental income amounted to $14,568 for the three month period ended June 30, 2009, as compared to $19,657 for three month period ended June 30, 2008. For the nine month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, these amount were $48,038 and $71,576, respectively. The decreases are the result of a decline in occupancy resulting from economic conditions.
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