New Negro League memorabilia collector(s) in the market?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Well, my theory which originated from the most recent Hake Auctions definitely held true once again last night in REA. It seems that there is at least one and quite possibly more new collectors with very, very, very deep pockets who have jumped into the Negro League memorabilia market as evidenced by many incredible final prices in REA last night. It seems that the more electic stuff the better for them, with not a lot of interest paid to the more "common" cards such as Toleteros, Caramelo, etc. It's tough going up against someone who has the resources and is willing to pay "whatever it takes" to pick up quality items.

I am wondering if anyone else has been sharing my frustration of not being able to pick up any quality NL pieces lately?

[tlwise12]

Phil,

I have noticed the exact same thing! There has to be some new collector that is running everything up and it really sucks because I can't afford it being a recently graduated college student...

I was surprised I won the 1939-40 Guayama Brujos team composite for what I did!!!

Travis

[bcbgcbrcb]

Great deal on the Paige item, Travis. I guess we have to take the bargains where we can now (slim pickings).

[benchod]

Well look at the glass as half full; great time to consign your Negro League items

[bcbgcbrcb]

That's right, Craig, I alreday thought about doing that too........

[Matt]

Phil - I was also surprised by some of the NL prices. I paid about $800 for my 1942 Negro League WS program with a huge image of Josh Gibson on one side and Paige on the other. The 1938 Grays program in REA with a team image on the front/back went for about 700% of that!

[jboosted92]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Well, my theory which originated from the most recent Hake Auctions definitely held true once again last night in REA. It seems that there is at least one and quite possibly more new collectors with very, very, very deep pockets who have jumped into the Negro League memorabilia market as evidenced by many incredible final prices in REA last night. It seems that the more electic stuff the better for them, with not a lot of interest paid to the more "common" cards such as Toleteros, Caramelo, etc. It's tough going up against someone who has the resources and is willing to pay "whatever it takes" to pick up quality items.

I am wondering if anyone else has been sharing my frustration of not being able to pick up any quality NL pieces lately?

Hello, I am! ....but im not one of those recent elite bidders...just based on my history of understanding auctions and such, whomever these bidders are, there would likely be at least 2 of them. Until about 2 months ago, i never even heard of HAKES, and ive been in hte Sports Market for my whole life..i went to Hakes thinking, for a steal...wooof, just the opposite! lol

[triwak]

I'm with ya, Phil! Really thought I could get one of those postcards with Jud Wilson - figured they'd be just a little too obscure for most collectors. I'm thinking that these are HOF collectors who have decided to try to obtain everyone (not just Major Leaguers, as many do). And can someone PLEASE tell me why Cristobal Torriente cards are so expensive??? Up until now, I've been able to nab comparable NL HOFers (DiHigo, Hilton Smith, Leon Day, Ray Brown, etc.) for easily under 3K. That's not even touching ol' Cris right now! And he even appears on 4 different issues. ???

[bcbgcbrcb]

Ken:

Not sure why Torrienti has been so out of whack compared to other Negro League HOF'ers, may just be an anomaly as the supply of these things is so scrace anyway.

My thinking is specific to Negro Leaguers rather than all HOF'ers as most of those collectors tend to look mainly for individual player cards as opposed to team panoramas, cabinets, etc.

[benchod]

Maybe one reason Torriente is more expensive because as a whole Billikens are more popular than the Toleteros issues of the other players you mentioned

[bcbgcbrcb]

Good point, Craig, more popular, more scarce and older as well. The real comparison would have to be to Jose Mendez, Oscar Charleston, Pop Lloyd & Andy Cooper (although Charleston & Lloyd would be at a higher tier of players than Torrienti)

[benchod]

Thanks Phil,
I was shocked as you were by the 1928 Dihigo postcard. I thought I had a good chance at it but it soared to 8500 before I even raised my "marker" bid

[Misunderestimated]

Ken,
my experience is that regardless of the "number of issues" the 1920's Negro Leauge HOFer cards are much more expensive (and, I assume harder to find).

The guys you named are all on Puero Rican & Cuban cards from the 40-50's; Torriente, Mackey, Charleston, Lloyd et al are in the 1920's sets (Aguilitas, Billikens etc.)

[bcbgcbrcb]

Well, another Hake's Auction and more sky high Negro League memorabilia prices, especially the real premium pieces: 1910 Punch Mendez card, 1928 Crawfords photo w/Josh Gibson & 1914 Chicago American Giants RPPC. Imagine, the prices right now are probably not even close to where they are going to wind up either.........

Good luck to all who are hoping to further their collections!

[brickyardkennedy]

Great article, Chris. Good kid, to do what he's done for those guys.

Negro League items have soared in the past year. We have been extremely aggressive bidders on a plethora of items in the Hakes and Lifson auctions.

In said auctions (not including this one- where we are bidding on 8 lots)
we only won 4 lots out 21 we bid on.

We were stunned that the Colored Baseball Magazine reach $4000- we were
the under-bidder.

We have dozens of pieces that have never been offered, and are now wondering what they might be worth. Whilst we are collectors, everything is
for sale at a Price (record).

Working on some other items privately. Will also be interested to see what
the Black Ball poster brings in the Lelands auction

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want
bdosrkind@dorskindgroup.com

[bcbgcbrcb]

Well, it's been nearly seven years since I shared my thoughts on what was going on with the Negro League Baseball collectibles market back in 2011.

Fast forwarding to today, would anyone on the board like to share their thoughts on the current state of key Negro League material?

[Jason19th]

First I cannot believe that this conversation was seven years ago. Second I feel like the market is a bit stagnant. The really great stuff never comes on the market (look how little is in REA for example ) and the second tier stuff is listed forever at ridiculous levels on eBay. I bet there are a number of items that have been listed since this conversation. It's terrible when 150 items never move because against all evidence someone thinks it worth 750

[aljurgela]

I think that the market is a bit soft right now, and frankly I believe that it is a good time to buy. The scarcity continues in good material. The HOF will look at players again soon which should drudge up some interest and there has not been appreciation in the market similar to many other cards in the hobby. Unfortunately, I am a bit tapped out in funds or would be going in super deep.... plus, I have most of the cards that I want...

[aljurgela]

that a Josh Gibson Toleteros PSA 8 just sold for $72k in HA over the weekend, so there is certainly interest in the space...

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by aljurgela

that a Josh Gibson Toleteros PSA 8 just sold for $72k in HA over the weekend, so there is certainly interest in the space...

*devil’s advocate .. that is Josh Gibson. That is who EVERYONE knows.

[bcbgcbrcb]

During the boom several years ago, card prices were strong but photos and postcards really exploded. What are thoughts on these types of Negro League collectibles these days?

I know that the 3 Harrison Studios postcards have set record prices over the past several months.

[aljurgela]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

During the boom several years ago, card prices were strong but photos and postcards really exploded. What are thoughts on these types of Negro League collectibles these days?

I know that the 3 Harrison Studios postcards have set record prices over the past several months.

Yeah, Phil, I really don't know. I guess we will get a bit of a view when Derek's stuff hits the REA auction here soon. Over the last decade, I have been shocked at the post card pricing in general (perhaps that is why I do not have many in my collection!)... but the photos have been all over the place... much more variability that I would like to see... but such is the way of the world. The results on those postcards were very, very strong, so perhaps there is some new money in the space or some serious postcard collectors getting in the space.

For my taste and based on my math, the cards still look cheap to me. But who am I?