Do U.K. people collect American baseball cards?

[zljones]

I just spent a considerable amount of money on a card on ebay from a U.K. seller yesterday. They provided a huge close up of the card and it looks to be 100% authentic, because I compared it to three others from the same set I own. The seller is highly reputable with tons of positive and they are a collectables store in the U.K. and seem like great, honest people. And not only to mention, the cards looks totally authentic! But of course I am still nervous buying from a foreign seller and it's a raw card, plus I know honest people do get their hands on fakes and think they are real. It also leads me to wonder, how the hell did this card end up in England? My question is, is there a good population of U.K collectors out there?

I would put up the link to the ebay auction to show the pics but my work computer blocks ebay.

[caramelcard]

Yes.

Many UK folks have a strong interest in non sports american tobacco issues. I'm sure this spills over to baseball. I see a lot more non sports being bought and sold out of the UK, but I've purchased many early baseball cards from the UK.

I just bought a T204 ramly from england that hasn't arrived yet.

Rob

[Ulidia]

My question is, is there a good population of U.K collectors out there?


I wouldn't say a good population of UK collectors but certainly some. Generally, the catch-all term over here for cards would be "cigarette cards".

Interestingly, the main sport for collectors here is soccer (or "football" as we call it over here) but turn of the century cigarette cards of famous footballers can be picked up for negligible prices and would be almost unheard of for a single cigarette card of a player to sell for close to $100. The main collecting interest wouldn't be cards but programs and, in my opinion, the market for vintage programs is more buoyant than in the US.


I should add that I previously sold some items of baseball memorabilia using my UK address via ebay.com ..... prices realized were typically considerably lower than had I used a US address. No doubt the fear of customs charges was a hindrance but, equally, wouldn't be surprised of some potential bidders equally asking the same questions you are asking and deciding not to bid. As a result, one or two buyers got great bargains.

[autograf]

I buy TONS of nonsports cards from the UK and have bought quite a few sports cards from there too. I bought a great deal from Murraycards--both on ebay and in their monthly auctions. Quite a bit of baseball as well. I bought a lot of T205/6 a couple years ago that yielded PSA6 and PSA5 Broadleaf backed cards. Both of which sold for a very nice sum after grading. There are a LOT of baseball cards in England. Not sure how they got there but they are there.............

[zljones]

I wouldn't say a good population of UK collectors but certainly some. Generally, the catch-all term over here for cards would be "cigarette cards".

Interestingly, the main sport for collectors here is soccer (or "football" as we call it over here) but turn of the century cigarette cards of famous footballers can be picked up for negligible prices and would be almost unheard of for a single cigarette card of a player to sell for close to $100. The main collecting interest wouldn't be cards but programs and, in my opinion, the market for vintage programs is more buoyant than in the US.


I should add that I previously sold some items of baseball memorabilia using my UK address via ebay.com ..... prices realized were typically considerably lower than had I used a US address. No doubt the fear of customs charges was a hindrance but, equally, wouldn't be surprised of some potential bidders equally asking the same questions you are asking and deciding not to bid. As a result, one or two buyers got great bargains.

When I get home I am going to put the pics up. It is a N162 King Kelly that could be VG-EX as long as it's not Auth. It costed me $1,000 only and it's great. What you say makes sense and explains why I got it for a good deal. Now I am even more excited. I was just worried because I got burned out of $25 by a Canadian seller awhile back, so it made me weary about going out of this country, but I took a risk and hope it pays off this time.

[scooter729]

From what I have heard from UK collectors, a large majority of the collectors from a century ago (of all genres of cigarette cards) were adults, so those cards were less likely to be as tattered as many of the US-based cards collected by children.

I see this more in many of the golf issues, where most of the Bobby Jones issues from the '20s and '30s (and even some of the Copes and Ogdens from 1900-'01) have survived in much better overall condition than their US baseball counterparts.

But to answer the original question, I bet there are plenty of collectors of US baseball cards located in the UK, esp. with the number of US-expats in London.

[mart8081]

There are a few of us that I know about but most seem to favour modern cards. Recently more people seem to be selling than buying (I would guess this is because the currency exchange rates are 25% better for UK sellers now than 3 years ago - they seem to like that strong US$).

I missed the N162 Kelly - nice looking card! Haven't purchased anything from this seller.

Robert A - the seller you purchased the Ramly from is absolutly top notch. I purchased a t205 Mathewson from him last week and it arrived in 2 days. He used to have around 200 x t206 cards including Cobb, Young, Mathewson and most HOFers (they were mostly sold off 12-18 months ago now). The seller told me they were originally bought raw about 10 years ago and then he got them graded. In this case he prefers 19th century cards (from many sets produced worldwide).

I would hazard a guess that US servicemen stationed her during the two world wars could have been responsible for some of the older baseball cards in the UK. A gentleman used to buy small lots from me between 2005-2008 that came from Cleveland but retired in England. The increased migratory patterns of individuals has also probably had an impact in the last 10-20 years.

In terms of English cards - the best looking sports cards in my opinion are the early cricket sets of Wills (1896 and 1901). The WG Grace cards in each set are considered the toughest but probably wouldn't exceed $200-250 in excellent condition.

[Brian Van Horn]

One I picked up from a dealer in England:

[drc]

Some British collect tobacco and trading cards, if not baseball cards. I remember visiting one collector's nice tobacco cards site. He didn't have any but did mention Pre-War baseball cards and how expensive they were.

I've sold non-card, non-baseball memorabilia to British collectors via eBay, and never had a single problem. So I don't think a seller being in Europe points to them being less reliable. The eBayers feedback says a lot, including what they buy, sell. Most of my winners had a clear interest in the type of material.

[zljones]

There are a few of us that I know about but most seem to favour modern cards. Recently more people seem to be selling than buying (I would guess this is because the currency exchange rates are 25% better for UK sellers now than 3 years ago - they seem to like that strong US$).

I missed the N162 Kelly - nice looking card! Haven't purchased anything from this seller.

Robert A - the seller you purchased the Ramly from is absolutly top notch. I purchased a t205 Mathewson from him last week and it arrived in 2 days. He used to have around 200 x t206 cards including Cobb, Young, Mathewson and most HOFers (they were mostly sold off 12-18 months ago now). The seller told me they were originally bought raw about 10 years ago and then he got them graded. In this case he prefers 19th century cards (from many sets produced worldwide).

I would hazard a guess that US servicemen stationed her during the two world wars could have been responsible for some of the older baseball cards in the UK. A gentleman used to buy small lots from me between 2005-2008 that came from Cleveland but retired in England. The increased migratory patterns of individuals has also probably had an impact in the last 10-20 years.

In terms of English cards - the best looking sports cards in my opinion are the early cricket sets of Wills (1896 and 1901). The WG Grace cards in each set are considered the toughest but probably wouldn't exceed $200-250 in excellent condition.

You may have missed it because I made it disappear real fast. It was posted less than 24 hours, and I pounced right away. It was one of those best offer type deals, and I am glad they had an automatic acceptance, so that no one would come along and make a higher offer. If this card is real and not trimmed then I hit it pretty big. Even if it would grade an AUTH I still do ok ok 1,000.

[Brian Weisner]

Hi Tom,
I picked up a nice Broadleaf from Murray's cards serveral years ago... It might have been a hold out from your lot, as the pose on the front was Murray/Batting..... :D
Be well Brian

PS I purchased quite a few tougher backs from them back in 2003/2004.

[scooter729]

Since the buyer said he would post the pics later, hopefully you won't mind if I post the link. Looks to me like a great card at an even better price!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item2c633a9ee6&item=190643347174&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=YKlXOpZCOnfRR6RaV2bx4oINVbg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

[zljones]

Since the buyer said he would post the pics later, hopefully you won't mind if I post the link. Looks to me like a great card at an even better price!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item2c633a9ee6&item=190643347174&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=YKlXOpZCOnfRR6RaV2bx4oINVbg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Awesome! Thank you that is the exact auction! I got goose bumps and can't wait to recieve it, as long as it's not Auth, it might grade a 3-4!

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Awesome! Thank you that is the exact auction! I got goose bumps and can't wait to recieve it, as long as it's not Auth, it might grade a 3-4!

WOW! What a gorgeous card! That whole set, the artwork, is unbelievable...

[zljones]

WOW! What a gorgeous card! That whole set, the artwork, is unbelievable...

I am in full agreement, I am nuts about N162, once I get this card I will have all four HOFers in the set. In my opinion N162 is the most beautiful set of cards ever made (baseball anyway). These are like little paintings on cardboard victorian style.

[Fred]

They have a tobacco/collector card show in London monthly or every couple of months at the Royal National Hotel in London. I went to a few of them but I was never able to locate many baseball cards that were reasonably priced. They thought they were worth more than they actually were worth and there weren't many to choose from. A few of the larger dealers "understood" that there was potential value in some of the cards and with the internet there's really nothing to hide (not much of a chance of finding a good deal unless the person is a total recluse).

The shows they had were pretty nice if you didn't mind non-sport or at least non-baseball related material.

Overall, I don't think that many Brits collect "baseball" cards. One shoppe that I used to check out was Murray's, unfortunately I believe they just closed a few months ago after a long time of being in business.

[Fred]

Just wanted to add...

I picked up (5 or 6) N162s about 8 years+ ago on ebay from a dealer in Australia of all places.

[T206DK]

I have seen T206's in England and in Scotland for sale in antique shops. I have also seen more T206's with Broadleaf backs in the UK than in the U.S. for some reason.

[rp12367]

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[HOF Auto Rookies]

I am in full agreement, I am nuts about N162, once I get this card I will have all four HOFers in the set. In my opinion N162 is the most beautiful set of cards ever made (baseball anyway). These are like little paintings on cardboard victorian style.

Yes they are, I hope I can pick some up. Now if only to find one signed... :P

[zljones]

Yes they are, I hope I can pick some up. Now if only to find one signed... :P

Then the question is, does a signed one exist?:eek:

[saltire]

Zach,

Congrats on a great pick up. That really is an outstanding card.

I'm new to Net54, but I think I can speak on this topic with a little authority. I live in Glasgow, Scotland and have been actively collecting baseball cards since the late 1980s. I'm originally from Detroit, collected as a kid in the late 60s/early 70s, and got the bug again after a visit Stateside in 1988.

Baseball card collectors - never mind vintage - are definitely few and far between here in Scotland. I suspect there may be a few more per capita down in England. I would LOVE to find a fellow collector or two here to be able to buy/sell/trade with and compare notes. So if you're out there and reading this, drop me a message!!

Cards (new or old) are not readily available in Scotland. Hobby shops specialise mainly in non-sport and football (soccer). Even cig cards are hard to come by now, since the only dealer in town closed his doors several years back. However, cig card collecting is still a fairly popular hobby, and I can easily see how cig cards issued in the States could make their way over here and into the hands of UK based collectors.

I do most of my buying these days on ebay and through the usual auction sites and web dealers. I can be frustrating when a card I've been chasing comes up, but the dealer has set preferences to exclude bidders from outwith the USA.

Again, congrats on the Kelly card. Enjoy it!!

Glenn

[zljones]

[QUOTE=saltire;979233]Zach,

Congrats on a great pick up. That really is an outstanding card.

I'm new to Net54, but I think I can speak on this topic with a little authority. I live in Glasgow, Scotland and have been actively collecting baseball cards since the late 1980s. I'm originally from Detroit, collected as a kid in the late 60s/early 70s, and got the bug again after a visit Stateside in 1988.

Thanks, and welcome to the board! I am still excited I got this for what I paid, it was well worth the majority of my tax return. I still can not believe it was priced the way it was. I keep measuring it over and over and it measures up so I do not think it's an AUTH. If so it is a once in a lifetime deal that I am very lucky to have got. It goes into my ebay Hall Of Fame purchases for sure.
Scotland is a great country, I wish I could visit someday. Maybe I will be able to. I could see how there are mainly non-sports cards out that way. Seems like out there they collected all sports or all cards just like in America but they did not have access to baseball cards or to N28, N162, N300 etc...I know there were special European cards for European interests, hence how we saw the birth of the first Hockey cards in 1910.