Antique Mall Hunting

[GaleClark23]

I remembered the story about the t206 Drum found at a St. Louis Antique Shop when I went into a large metro-St.Louis Antique Mall today. The place was three stories with the bottom floor being the old gymnasium of a grade school....cool place. I peaked around for awhile and then sorted thru a stack of mostly 1950 and 1960s era cards with an assortment of stars....most cards in maybe Good condition. Some cool cards.....with astronomical prices:
54 Banks RC $250 (Maybe Fair), 58 Banks $45, 56 Reese $75, 73 Rose $37, 70 Reggie $39, 64 Drysdale $!!!!.

Then went thru a big stack of 54T Commons.......$10-$18 on each card.

I would assume that some great finds have been made in Antique Stores, but I was stunned at the prices being asked.

[Beansballcardblog]

The antique malls I've been in are typically severely overpriced.

[Sean]

I've noticed that they seem to base their prices on what they believe the card would grade at, but usually they're wildly optimistic.

[GrayGhost]

ive found some things at good prices, but yes mostly way overpriced

[packs]

One time I saw a can of Plow Boy tobacco at an antique mall and almost bought it, but they wanted $100 and I wasn't sure what the return would be.

[bnorth]

I like to look around at antique shops/malls but rarely buy anything because everything is insanely overpriced. I did get lucky in a antique mall out in Newport Oregon last fall and picked up a Brent Morel Corvallis Knights bobblehead for $5. It was from when he was called up to the White Sox. He was the first Knight to make it to the Majors.

[drcy]

I remember when a board member and I went to an antique store and he got a steal on a 1930s football jersey, because it was being sold as a fencing uniform, no doubt due to the crotch strap. He came up to me and said "What is this?" I said "a football jersey." He said "Okay, that's what I thought."

[midmo]

Strange you mention St Louis. Two years ago I found a badly miscut (and pin holed) T206 HOF in a stack of cards in a case at an antique mall in St Louis. I know I'm in the minority, but I've never really cared for T206's and almost left it there. I ended up taking a chance and bought it for around $50. Sold it last year for $550. They're few and far between, but you never know.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by GaleClark23

I peaked around for awhile and then sorted thru a stack of mostly 1950 and 1960s era cards with an assortment of stars....most cards in maybe Good condition. Some cool cards.....with astronomical prices:
54 Banks RC $250 (Maybe Fair), 58 Banks $45, 56 Reese $75, 73 Rose $37, 70 Reggie $39, 64 Drysdale $!!!!.

Then went thru a big stack of 54T Commons.......$10-$18 on each card.

This is the exact thing I find every...single...time.

[conor912]

What?! You found vintage cards at an antique mall?! All I ever find are '89 Score.

[GaleClark23]

Originally Posted by conor912

What?! You found vintage cards at an antique mall?! All I ever find are '89 Score.

Funny that you mention 89 Score. I literally have almost the entire set in a box that travels with us in our van.....my son reads the backs as we travel.

So.....I took those TO the Antique Mall.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by midmo

Strange you mention St Louis. Two years ago I found a badly miscut (and pin holed) T206 HOF in a stack of cards in a case at an antique mall in St Louis. I know I'm in the minority, but I've never really cared for T206's and almost left it there. I ended up taking a chance and bought it for around $50. Sold it last year for $550. They're few and far between, but you never know.

What player and back was it? If it wasn't a Cobb, it must have been a rare back.

[slidekellyslide]

Persistence is the key. Sure you strike out a lot, but occasionally you get lucky. I've found lots of great stuff in antique malls. Just recently I picked up a Dick Groat Hartland for $25. Yes, it's the c1960 vintage one. Although it's been years since I've seen a single pre-WW1 card in a mall, about 7 or 8 years ago I ran across a bunch of Obaks at a local mall, I took some pics and shared them here because I really know next to nothing about that set. Some members here implored me to go back, but they were gone.

[ullmandds]

I have found bunches of pseudo vintage at antique malls...50's-70's...nothing spectacular...BUT...this "get" from the star of the north antique show last year is my payoff for perseverence!!!!! IT CAN HAPPEN!!!!

[midmo]

Originally Posted by Luke

What player and back was it? If it wasn't a Cobb, it must have been a rare back.

Addie Joss: http://loveofthegameauctions.com/190...c-lot9190.aspx

[midmo]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I have found bunches of pseudo vintage at antique malls...50's-70's...nothing spectacular...BUT...this "get" from the star of the north antique show last year is my payoff for perseverence!!!!! IT CAN HAPPEN!!!!

Pete wins. That is awesome!

[GasHouseGang]

I picked up a really nice '59 Clemente from an antique store last year. Coincidently, the antique store was in St. Louis. It was in a stack of cards that were individually priced and it had a $40 price tag on it. Plus there was 10% off that day. I could tell it was in really nice condition, so I took a chance. I got it graded by PSA, and it came back a 7. Nice pick up for $36!

[pete zouras]

15-16 years ago I came across a display case that had a 19th century photographic cabinet card of a no-name player with New York across his jersey that they had priced at $400, which even with a 10% discount seemed high. I've been there many times since and never came across anything that cool.

10 years ago I did manage to pick this large cabinet photo from the 1910 era of the Harrisburg semi-pro team for $200. I passed on a postcard version of it that I kick myself for not picking up as a companion piece. I think it's the team Bender and Thorpe played for, but not that year.

[pete zouras]

I passed on this bad boy based on a net54 post generated some discussion. The next day it was gone from the display case. I suspected my post somehow alerted the seller and he had the item pulled, example of the internet making a small world even smaller. Lost no sleep over not picking it up.

[irv]

I picked these up, likely 30+ yrs ago, thinking I did very well but found out here, (just last year) through opinions and research, they are most likely reprints.

I still like them, however, as I can still remember my excitement when I seen them. (I believe I paid around $7-$8 dollars for them?)

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by packs

One time I saw a can of Plow Boy tobacco at an antique mall and almost bought it, but they wanted $100 and I wasn't sure what the return would be.

Lung cancer

[btcarfagno]

Last year I obtained a group of four pre war cards at an antique center here in NJ. I got:

T205 Wheat (poor condition)
Harrington's Frisch (fair condition)
Harrington's McGraw (fair condition)
T206 Fred Clarke (good-very good condition)

Wasn't a tremendous bargain but enough so that I picked them up.

Tom C

[obcbobd]

I hit the Antique Malls in New England quite often. I also go to the Brimfield Antique show. As others have said almost always way over priced. I've seen boxes of 88 Topps, cards all messed up, creased etc. for $1 a card. Reprint Goudeys for $50 each. 74 Topps commons in VG for $5. 1966 Topps commons in VG for $1, not too bad, but $1 was written on the back of each card. I've made a few pick ups: T206 beater under $5, 66 Sand Koufax, creased $4.

I've had more luck at Flea Markets and Yard Sales.

It is fun to look, even if 90% of the time I find nothing.

thanks

Bob

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by wvu_class_of_2001

The antique malls I've been in are typically severely overpriced.

That's been precisely my experience--when you don't know what it's worth, price it sky-high and hope one of P.T. Barnum's guys (a sucker's born every minute!) takes care of you!

May your collecting bring joy and as little frustration as possible,

Larry

[TheNightmanCometh]

So, for those of you on the West Coast, particularly California, any good finds when shopping around the antique malls?

I would imagine the best finds would be on the East Coast and Mid-West, because you know, the history of baseball and all that.

[doug.goodman]

One of the rockstars that I travel around with loves antique malls, so we frequently stop on our travels across this continent, and others.

9 out of 10 have little of anything that interests me, baseball wise, beside the already mentioned 89 Score cards, and vg/ex Topps / Bowman cards priced at mint from the the peak market. But, every so often, I find a bunch of old Police Gazette's some with full pages of baseball at $5 an issue, or a stack of programs, with some scored for $2 each, etc.

I've posted this before, but I love to show it off. My best score was a game with a really cool box at a flea market at a park in Tokyo (or maybe Osaka) for 1000 yen, which at that time was $10. All the pieces were included, too.

It a little less than 2 feet square. Sorry for the fuzzy pix.

Doug

[RaidonCollects]

Mall finds do happen! In the very few antique stores I visit every year there are usually a couple baseball items. I've found a couple dozen 1950's Topps/Bowman cards and a couple years back I found a really nice late 19th century Allen & Ginter tin.

Hopefully one day I will find a T206 Wagner but I will settle for a Plank!

-Owen

[Orioles1954]

My best antique mall find was in Reno. Score a T213-1 Engle and 1952 Topps Thomson high number from the same seller for a total of $50. I think the Engle later graded a 3 or 4 from SGC.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by packs

One time I saw a can of Plow Boy tobacco at an antique mall and almost bought it, but they wanted $100 and I wasn't sure what the return would be.

The ROI would have probably been about <-$50> negative 50 bucks.

It seems like, to non collectors, a hundred year old baseball card has to be worth at least a hundred bucks, right?

[granite75]

I have found cards to be marked up on average 30% more than on ebay, and condition seems to be largely ignored. I did find a legit Mantle ball for $100, but the finds are few and far between. It's like buying a box if cards, you strike out way more than you hit on one, but you remember the one time it was worth it.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[cardsfan73]

I am still out there hunting but I never expect to find anything like the Starr Drum back again. A once in a life time find, for me anyway!

Typically all I find are over priced cards from the 50s, 60s & 70s or a lot of junk wax era stuff.

But I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and finding that Starr card just goes to show you never know what you might find as long as you keep looking.

I also run across a lot other cool things I collect like records, old video games & railroad related memorabilia.

Scott

[baseball tourist]

I love the hunt too and always seem to find a thing or two for trade if not directly for my collection. The small finds are few and far between and the large ones are very very rare, but I did find a 1966 era game used Packers jersey that I paid $26 for and sold via auction in 2011 for over $7k. The memory keeps me looking.

[glynparson]

E125 Honus Wagner Two years ago.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by cardsfan73

I am still out there hunting but I never expect to find anything like the Starr Drum back again. A once in a life time find, for me anyway!

Typically all I find are over priced cards from the 50s, 60s & 70s or a lot of junk wax era stuff.

But I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and finding that Starr card just goes to show you never know what you might find as long as you keep looking.

I also run across a lot other cool things I collect like records, old video games & railroad related memorabilia.

Scott

Exactly...I will still scour any antique store I have time to scour...even if I come up empty...I love the "hunt!"

[Exhibitman]

Closest I got to a find in an L.A. antique store was a 50th anniversary Academy Awards program that I got for a few bucks.

I agree that there isn't much to be found but it is great fun to search.

[deadballera]

found this one a couple of years ago for $3 at an Antique Mall

[BruceinGa]

We'll be heading to Montgomery Friday for a softball tournament this weekend. I'll be sure to hit a few antique malls on the way.

[jchcollins]

The theme for NC antique malls and overpricing seems to be similar. Most of the ones I've been to are consignment outfits, and you get the idea that most sellers don't have the first clue about sports cards - and therefore price sky-high just to see what they can get. The one down the street from me has a couple of rough T-206 no-names (one I think is graded PSA 2) that they want like $75 a pop for. Beyond that is the usual story of grossly overpriced late 80's, early 90's Topps sets, etc.

I do continue to look just out of interest when new stuff comes in - as some of the posts here have proven - it's true that the bargains exist and you never know where or when one might be found.

[philliesfan]

A local antique mall near me has some really nice 1950's topps stars at really good prices. IF you like trimmed cards!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by deadballera

found this one a couple of years ago for $3 at an Antique Mall

That is a nice one. If I saw that at an antique mall it would have a $500 price on it.