Posted By:
MarkGreat post, Rob....
I have watched memorabilia in these high-end catalogue auctions for well over a decade now, so I have a pretty decent basis for opinion. I am finding a lot less consistency than in past years. This current Mastro Auction is all over the board, and an excellent example...
Your Pencil Clips example was a good one for the high-end. Another is the Cubs Figural Paperweight, which is currently at $2,300 (and may still go higher). I got mine (in the same exact condition) from Hunt's for about $650, and saw another identical piece sell for maybe $725 just last year.
Another example is the Gibbs Conner pair of Brooklyn Dodger Banks. ITPC has had a number over the past couple years. Even though they're prototypes, quite a few got out (even on ebay). Last I checked, this pair was at $2,750 + the 20% juice. I would have consigned my two, if I knew they would fetch half that amount!
Darktown Battery Bank... Nice all-original ones have been going for $1,700 - $2,200 in recent years. The Mastro example somehow went for $4,250!
There were two large George Lawrence Panoramas in Mastro... both gorgeous, but with some condition issues, and nearly identical (in terms of content as well as condition). Check out Lots 141 and 142. One went for $2,500 (about what you'd expect) and the other went for a whopping $8,000! No rhyme or reason, other than two people with a ton of money wanted that particular one.
Surprisingly there were plenty of bargains as well... I won two lots for about 65% of the normal hammer price. There were plenty of others. Much of the autographed items went very cheap compared to recent years' sales. This post is way too long, so I won't list them, but there were plenty of bargains.
Bottom line... these auctions have become more fickle and volatile, and it seems any given lot can explode if the right people go after it. Perhaps it's due in part to the Country's shrinking middle class and current rough economy. The lower income (but typically more sensible) bidders are dropping out, while the really wealthy bidders have few limits on the pieces they desire. Just my 2 cents... sorry for rambling.