Has anyone seen these new Helmar cards?

[quinnsryche]

I don't know how to link but, go to ebay and just type "Helmar" under baseball cards and someone is auctioning off cards that look like '33 and '35 Goudeys as well a postcard and cabinet card size types. They are not trying to fool anyone (the descriptions are well worded) but are selling them as "artwork". They are even disressed to look like older cards. I think they are really cool looking but some are fetching pretty high prices. Take a look, see what you think and then post an opinion (and maybe someone could post some scans or links if you are able).
Thanks!

[thxforthebp]

I saw the cards. They do look pretty nice but at prices like that it is totally insane!!

[peterose4hof]

I just stumbled across a listing for one of these and started looking at the sellers other auctions. They are pretty neat looking, but frankly, I am shocked at the prices realized for these "cards".
$228.61 for a Ty Cobb
$113.61 Mathewson
$177.50 Hank Aaron
$165.52 Joe Jackson
etc

Here is the link to the sellers listings. http://shop.ebay.com/sirraffles/m.html

Is anyone here buying these? If so, I would be interested to know why you consider these to be so valuable. Much appreciated!

[iggyman]

Nice artwork by somebody who is very talented, and for the time being also a successful entrepreneur. I only "wish" those Helmar cards would not show-up in the prewar baseball card section. They really don't belong there!

But alas, I gave up wishing for stuff when as a teenager, every night I would wish that the pretty blond girl next door would acknowledge my existence. It never happened and left me a bitter man when it comes to wishes.

Lovely Day...

[D. Bergin]

I've liked a lot of the Helmar product that has come out the last 10 years or so, especially that series of larger silks they put out.

I guess the realized prices are no stranger then the prices of Stephen Strasburg and Brian Heyward cards that have come out the past year or so.

Manufactured rarity is manufactured rarity.........whether it's a Helmar Ty Cobb or a SuperDuperTitaniumChromeRefractor Strasburg.

[D. Bergin]

Well, I guess we now know where that Cap Anson Bowling Lane lock came from:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Helmar-lg-brass-...item1c1648a883

[smtjoy]

I have purchased a couple, I just liked the art work and though they would look cool in my collection. I see it as no different than buying a painting I like.

[FrankWakefield]

I've bid on a few, 'cause I like the look, as above. I've yet to win one. Prices do seem high for some of them. Which might be why I've not won one yet.

I did put together a set of their T206-sized first year cards.

[tbob]

Do the "Helmar" people distress the cards to make them look old or is it the sellers on ebay who are busy doing the distressing?

[iggyman]

The distressing is done by Helmar. It seems like they have picked up some great distressing pointers on this board. Obviously, they are big Net54 baseball.com fans.

Lovely Day...

[Matt]

Are these hand painted originals, or prints?

[quinnsryche]

I talked briefly with the artist (nice guy by the way), he said he makes the cards one at a time on some sort of schedule, the cards will be produced in numbers not more than 6 per year (I think). They are actual cards that you can see on the Helmar site and he makes them look old. I don't know if he works for Helmar or not, but he also sells the original artwork on ebay for the cards. They sure look cool but damn, that's an awful lot of money for a "fantasy" card when you could get a pile of original Goudeys in that condition for the same price! To each his own.

[D. Bergin]

I don't think it's any stranger then Strasburg's selling for thousands. These are much neater to me. Not that I'll be driving up any of the bids, but I can understand why some player collectors may be bidding them up.

I'm just waiting for a chuckle the first time I see somebody "distressed" about the PSA or SGC grade they received on one of these cards.

[jimm]

I look at them more like a limited print you might buy today, just card size. Very nice art.

[E93]

Those are really cool looking!
JimB

[smtjoy]

Heres one that I purchased, just really liked the picture.

[toppcat]

There seems to be a devoted collector base for the Helmar cards. They have definitely been able to mimic the pre-war era in appearance.

[53Browns]

Here's my problem with these cards. I lump them into the same category as reprints that don't say "reprint" on the back. Even though these cards boast new artwork, when they "distress" them to look aged, they could fool a novice. Someone could really get screwed on these, and I'm sure someone will. They need to clearly list a date manufactured on the back. I havent seen any on the backs I've viewed. They may look cool, but to me, they're Charmin.

[Rich Klein]

By long-time sports artist and dedicated hobbyist Monty Sheldon,

And here is a link to his web-site

http://www.montysheldon.com/index.html

A real good guy BTW

Rich

[DaClyde]

Helmar should team up with Gary Cieradkowski of the Infinite Baseball Card Set.