Guesses on the T208's tonight?

[Orioles1954]

Do you think the prices realized were due to A.) soft economy; B.) the amount offered at one time or C.) confidence in the auction house or D.) a combination of all three?

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

Do you think the prices realized were due to A.) soft economy; B.) the amount offered at one time or C.) confidence in the auction house or D.) a combination of all three?

B

[barrysloate]

A & B for sure...but as we've discussed on previous threads, an auction house could be convicted of a chainsaw massacre and still get high prices if they have good stuff. So while there have been some issues with the company's reputation, I don't think that affected the final prices.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

A & B for sure...but as we've discussed on previous threads, an auction house could be convicted of a chainsaw massacre and still get high prices if they have good stuff. So while there have been some issues with the company's reputation, I don't think that affected the final prices.

I am quite sure this will be taken the wrong way by a few but here goes anyway. I think it was the economy and so many coming out at once. I don't think it's their reputation because I agree completely with what Barry said. As for anyone not bidding.....We had that thread a while back about boycotting and there was a mass.....nothing. The ones that boycotted probably never bid in their auctions anyway, or if they did, didn't win anything, or anything of any substantial value. Yeah, there might have been 1-2 but not many more than that.....

For the majority of collectors "stuff" trumps everything. When the stuff stops then it will be easier to boycott .

It will be interesting to see how the Chance Jersey does this evening.

[rman444]

In addition to the economy and the volume currently available, I think other factors are:

1) Back variations - I don't know if a bunch of back collectors have left the market over the past couple of years or if paying huge premiums for back variations and common fronts has just lost its luster, but back collecting today is just not what it was before from my experience.

2) Population does not equate with valuations - I think that a few people may have realized that each of T208s is far from unique (3 to 4 or more of each known) and that they might not deserve the crazy multiplier that prior sales may have suggested when compared to D359s or E104s which are not quite as rare, but certainly not orders of magnitude more plentiful.

[barrysloate]

I think the price of $20,400 for a single comon at the National threw everyone off. Take away that one sale, and last night's results wouldn't look nearly as bad.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by rman444

2) Population does not equate with valuations - I think that a few people may have realized that each of T208s is far from unique (3 to 4 or more of each known) and that they might not deserve the crazy multiplier that prior sales may have suggested when compared to D359s or E104s which are not quite as rare, but certainly not orders of magnitude more plentiful.

Don't forget that people also collect type runs of T cards (Hi Leon!) and it only takes a few collectors needing one to set things off and running price-wise. And four grand for a common is pretty amazing no matter what.

[chiprop]

Does anyone know who puchased a single T208 last night? As of yet, no one has aknowledged buying one.

[rman444]

Good points Barry and Dave. There are very few sets where commons sell in the $3-4k range. Even if we assume that last night's results were in line with market reality rather than low, the T208 set would still be the #1 T-set with respect to valuation by a pretty decent margin.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by rman444

In addition to the economy and the volume currently available, I think other factors are:

1) Back variations - I don't know if a bunch of back collectors have left the market over the past couple of years or if paying huge premiums for back variations and common fronts has just lost its luster, but back collecting today is just not what it was before from my experience.

2) Population does not equate with valuations - I think that a few people may have realized that each of T208s is far from unique (3 to 4 or more of each known) and that they might not deserve the crazy multiplier that prior sales may have suggested when compared to D359s or E104s which are not quite as rare, but certainly not orders of magnitude more plentiful.

I think both things you say are correct. I hope back collecting continues to fall out of favor. As I told a newbie in a thread recently: One of the main things to do is collect what you enjoy. That way regardless of monetary value you still have something you like. Because of my own desire to have a variety of cards I doubt I will ever be a mainstream set collector. It just doesn't do it for me. Also, as a type collector, values can easily be swayed. If one or two folks aren't bidding something could go for pennies on the dollar that I just paid a boatload for. It comes with the territory.....