Just browsing a Beckett
 

I was just checking the Beckett almanac and a lot of the big cards prices seem way off. For instance 1951 bowman near mint mantle 8000,mays 2500.
Yes this is how they have been priced for some time now. When will the prices be fixed ?

This could be a issue for less experienced collectors. What if someone inherits
These cards in nrmt and sells them for this price ?

I'm kinda surprised Beckett even puts these publications out anymore. they're completely obsolete and totally out of tune with the market and have been for some time. There are still some people who insist on trading and buying/selling according to "book value" most of these people are laughed at and ignored because book value just has no bearing on market value anymore. want to know what a card is worth? check completed ebay sales or anything else that tracks actual market activity. "Price guides" are pretty well useless...

I hear that's use eBay as well but could not resist looking the the Beckett as I was already Barnes and nobles for lunch. And I know if I didn't know better I would follow what the books says .

To be fair, as the person who edited the 1st 12 editions of the Almanac. There is no possible way to keep up with all the prices in print form.

Just too many sets out there

Rich

I haven't used a Beckett Almanac in years, but I do have a 4th Edition SCD Standard Catalog of Vintage Baseball Card. I use it mainly as a checklist for sets and have it in digital format (which I prefer and is not as heavy) rather than an actual book. But like others have said, eBay and VCP will give you the the most up to date pricing compared to a magazine or book especially with the volatility of the card market.

I was a Beckett and Tough Stuff kid, who went through those mags with a fine tooth comb for years and years. They helped fuel the passion, but now that I rarely ever buy a Post-1980 card, it serves no purpose.

Market Value is great when you are talking high end cards with a dozen sales in the last couple of auctions, but try buying lower graded stuff that maybe iconic but not worthy of an REA auction.

So you admit the book is useless as a price guide. I still buy it, but for cataloging and checklist purposes.

I don't disagree with this statement. But the beckett guide is a monthly publication that is supposed to reflect current market prices. They may not be able to get every card right. But a Mantle and Mays rookie? Surely they can look at a couple of recent sales and adjust prices accordingly for key cards.