About a week in, biggest surprises in REA?
 

i know it's early and there's a long road ahead, but i think it's fun to check in a few times each day in REA and see what's hot and what's not-so-hot. one of the eye-openers for me is the SGC 1.5 Plank. surprising to me that it's already at 37.5 before the juice. it looks great for the grade, but, wow!

(disclaimer: it's not my card and i do not know the consignor).

https://bid.robertedwardauctions.com...e?itemid=46206

what has caught your eye?

2/60
 

I'm surprised that 2 of my bids are still holding up. I assumed all 60+ would be outbid by the end of the first day.

I have a ton of consignments and everything is about where I'd expect it to be at this point more or less, except this one...

lot 1824

I realize it's not a $40-70k photo like other Ruth rookie photos have been going for since it's a composite photo and thus has to be labeled a type III, but it was created in September, 1915 and thus is a genuine rookie photo.

Looks like someone is going to get a steal!

Everyone has their snipe set.

Everything is about where I would expect it to be, as for what I am watching and bidding on. Actually, a few things have gotten close to what they will get, imo.....I wish it were ending tomorrow :)....

With the caveat that it’s still early, I think in general 19th century cards are weak. In the past that has meant that it was a good time to buy, but that strategy works until it doesn’t.

Like Jeff, I am surprised one of my consignments has not received a bid yet.

Though it is post war I figured it would be alright to mention in this thread.

In over 50 years of collecting I had never seen a 3 high Star Cal Decal. Talking to other hobby veterans, they too had not seen one.

It is not listed in the SCD Standard Catalog. Then lo and behold at the National in Chicago a dealer had three different. Insanely priced from $6500 to $9500!!!

I figured I should consign mine to see what the real market is. So far no one thinks it is worth $500.

See: https://bid.robertedwardauctions.com...e?itemid=47043

I too am wondering if 19th century items have already "peaked" collectively. It seem like both cards and memorabilia prices have softened over the last while. As an example, I've seen both Heubachs along with other baseball figural pieces that once commanded considerably more.... now selling for a fraction of their past amounts. Being primarily an antique hockey collector first (I've noticed the same trend in hockey), this development worries me somewhat.

How do other 19th century collectors feel??

Jay
As I have seen what you mention, it is the reason I made my statement about things being about where they should be for now (price wise). Most 19th Century items are in fact down, and have been for a few years it seems, over several years ago. I thought this would have gone for more when it sold, not long ago, but the market is thin sometimes.

That's a great piece, what did it go for?

10.8k.
I thought it could go 2x that with the HOF'ers in it, clarity, scarcity....all that stuff. Never had one in the first collection and not sure how long term this one is but I do like it.

That Brown Old Mill is over $13K with commission. I guess that I'm out of the running. :(

It's still a wicked bargain at that price (but I am biased). Rare as they get.

Yes, and if I could get it with the next bid I would make that bid. But I'm certain that it has a few more bids coming before the auction ends.

20k for a T3 Matty is surprising to me.

I dunno....that is one of the best looking ones I have seen. If I had an extra 20k+ laying around it would be all mine :)... Healthy price though....

Completely agree. All of those T3 are remarkable. Plus most of them, including the Matty, have have the no offer back.

Seems prices will continue to inch up, and on some of the cards I am bidding on, I am not sure they get a lot more bids. That said, I have around a hundred individual bids in. :) Hope to walk away with 3 lots in particular.

How accurate is their grading? Has anyone ever had their raw stuff graded?
For example if they say NM, is it a 7 or Ex/mt, Vg/Ex, closer to 4-5 etc?

Very accurate-many guys there worked at SGC earlier in their careers.

Thanks. Good to know, I never bid in their auctions, but they have quite a few pieces that have peaked my interest.

The 1948 Leaf Rocky Graziano is at a record-breaking price. The same card that sold for $41K a few years ago is at $60K (including the vig) today.

Centering doesn't seem to matter on Rocky!!!!

I’m surprised that the PSA 7 Ruth rookie is “only” at $400,000. Even though it is blank backed, I thought it would end up as a seven figure card (it still may). I am also amazed that the Esterbrook Kalamazoo Bat has only one bid. I don’t collect these, but Met Kalamazoo Bats are incredibly rare.

With only a handful of known examples condition is really not a consideration.

I'm sure many people are better at cracking out cards than I am. But it seems like it would take at least some courage to crack out a $40,000 card like the Graziano description says the current consignor did.

Lajoie t3 at 12k plus juice also surprises me.

With six day to go 19th century bid levels are still anemic. Of course there are a few exceptions, but in general the levels are the weakest I have seen in many years. This of course could change, but as I remember, prior REA auctions at this point showed markedly stronger results.