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Posted By: <b>doug</b><p>Just browsed through the upcoming Mastronet and Robert Edward auctions and the current Memory Lane auction. Amazing stuff!!! Is there enough money sloshing around out there for the collecting community to soak up all that amazing and expensive stuff? Multi millions of dollars worth of quality cards and the auctions all ending in a short time frame. It will be interesting to see the closing prices for these auctions. We should get a real indication for how strong the market is

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>This is almost a perfect time for the auctions. Since the sale of the Gretzky T206 Wagner, I'm sure that a number of investors and speculators will be ready to spend.<br /><br />Peter

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Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>I only note two auction lots that fall within my focus - one in REA and one in Lelands/Gaynor....I saw nothing in Mastro that I can justify spending money on right now. But there are a lot of spectacular items up for auction right now. I'm hoping the array of amazing stuff available all at once will keep my competitors at bay.

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Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>When I start winning some of the big auctions, then you will know there is auction over-load. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>Bunk Congalton</b><p>I'll kick in $1000, so y'all will have to kick in the other 19,999,000.00 +<br /><br />cheers

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Posted By: <b>D</b><p>No matter how rare, difficult, or high grade your looking for your bound to find it. There are some HEAVY hitters for sale in these auctions!

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Posted By: <b>Bunk Congalton</b><p>It seems like some heavy hitters are selling. I'm a 'punch and judy' buyer, so I may have a go at a card or 2. regards

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Posted By: <b>Alan</b><p>Doug -<br /><br />I've asked this for same question for sometime. In the last few years, there have been many new collectors getting into the hobby. These guys have a tremendous amount of disposable income to spend on sports memorabilia. Many of them collect vintage baseball cards.<br /><br />Alan

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Posted By: <b>Bryan Long</b><p>Just another reason why I can't win anything that I want anymore <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Too many people with a lot more more than me. I live to fight another day. Now give me all of your SGC 10 e93 cards <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br><br>.

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Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>As always, quality material will draw quality bids; dodgy material will not. <br /><br />With the caveat that at the right price I'd happily own any of it, I didn't see a whole lot that really interested me in either REA or Mastro. No "gotta have its" in either sale.

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Posted By: <b>Cat</b><p>I keep expecting prices to roll back somewhat. There is definately a lot of desirable material out there right now, which may exceed the $$ chasing those items. I believe that there is a built in floor to how much prices will drop in any short-term period since there is such a vast number of people that have a business specific to buying/selling cards (dealers). Therefore it is rare that you will see that "great deal" since the dealers/flippers/investors will provide a certain floor to prices. Personally, I hope that I can get some "reasonable deals" in the upcoming auctions.<br /><br />What is interesting is that there are definately at least two heavy hitter purchasers that are no longer in the vintage market. Will this provide some slight roll back of prices? Only since reviewing Mastro's auction do I now know how many times I bid against Sergio Delgado in past auctions and hence realize that I had virtually no chance at winning those items. Without his bids will those same items now sell at a one or two bid discount? I can only hope so.<br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>dstudeba</b><p>I agree with Adam, from the 11 sets that I collect which I would be willing to pay REA/Mastro prices for, there are only 2 cards between both auctions.<br /><br />I would much rather have Dylan's point of view.

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Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>I have bookmarked 25 lots in the two auctions I am interested in. Realistically speaking I have no chance at 22 of them but as for those 3, well I'll give them a good whirl <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>I think you are right; between dealers and wealthy collectors, there is definitely a floor for almost any significant card or group of cards. <br /><br />That raises an interesting issue: what constitutes the "market" or is the sales climate accurately described as a single market? Take Hal's collection as an example. Frankly, I have zero interest in what his cards sell for because for me personally, what is being offered is simply out of my league, and for me it really doesn't matter whether a particular card of his sells for $100,000 or "only" $60,000 since that is about $59,000 more than I can spend. It has no effect on the cards I collect or the market in which I purchase them. I suspect that many other collectors feel the same way and are so sidelined by the high cost of the lots in Mastro and REA that they approach the auctions as curiosities more than anything else. The stratospheric prices on the big cards make for nice conversation and good examples to give to the non-collecting spouse to justify the $50 I just spent on something, but have nothing in the way of real world impact on the average collector.

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Posted By: <b>David Vargha</b><p><font color=blue>The "average collector" doesn't even bid in REA or Mastro.</font><br><br>DavidVargha@hotmail.com

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>You know, if everybody stays away from REA and Mastro because the prices are too high...then the prices won't be high anymore.<br /><br />I think the baseball card market is a fluid one but it is not impervious to the laws of supply and demand. If there really is in fact too much material in these auctions, prices will be softer. If on the other hand most material goes for a very high price, then the demand is still there. I guess we'll know soon enough.

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Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>The "average collector" doesn't even bid in REA or Mastro.<br /><br />I agree David. Percentage wise it has to be less than 10% of collectors that can afford these auctions. To me I just look at the pictures and am amazed. Not jealous, but happy someone can afford those items.<br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

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Posted By: <b>Steve M.</b><p>for all of us "average collectors"...BID and BID EARLY. That way you are assured of NOT winning BUT will continue to get the catalogues <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Steve,<br /><br />Nothing better than reading a catalog while in the can. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Peter

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Posted By: <b>steve</b><p>Thank goodness the high price auction spenders don't invade (too much) our modest priced auctions and just "throw around" their money. Most of us get jazzed over a nice $1,000. pick-up, aka, PSA 4 or 5 T206 HOF'er. The big spenders could easily push up prices so we then can't afford them anymore. The big auctions serve their purpose - for big spenders. Someday, I would like to afford the expensive stuff, just like I would like to visit thePorsche dealer for a test drive, maybe even a purchse.

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Posted By: <b>Alan</b><p>I can't afford anything in Mastro's "classic" auction, much less this "premier" ones, but one of my greatest pleasures in life is reading their catalogs. It just doesn't get any better than that !!!<br /><br />Alan

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Of course there is a trickle down effect. Many of these large lots that the average collector can't afford get broken up and the cards are sold singly. Most collectors can afford to buy them one at a time.

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Barry,<br /><br />So whose buying and breaking down these lots for resale, it certainly isn't me. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Peter

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Posted By: <b>Jeff Lichtman</b><p>I second Barry's suggestion: stop bidding in the REA and Mastro auctions and the prices will come down. Please. Really. Please.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>A lot of the material I and other dealers buy for resale are large lots that get broken into individual cards. Many of the cards I auction come from these large lots.

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Barry,<br /><br />So your one of the guys we can blame for these increasing prices. Hmmm....quit it. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Peter

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>If I quit it I'm off to early retirement.<br /><br />Come to think of it, that's not a bad idea <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Barry,<br /><br />Your too young hang around the local golf course all day, we need you to help us monitor the REA and Mastro Auctions. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Peter<br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Never hit a golf ball in my life. Don't understand that game.

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Barry,<br /><br />As we get older you need to keep exercising. Besides walking do you do any other kind of exercise. Don't tell me that your online all the time surfing the internet because that's practically all I do for exercise...<img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Peter

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>No, I don't like exercising, and I have a stress test on Tuesday at my cardiologist's, and I probably won't score too well. I'm lazy, I know it.

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Posted By: <b>Steve f</b><p>They say that owning a pet will increase your longevity. So, I sold my Stingray and tennis racquet and bought two dogs. Barry, good luck on Tuesday.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Thank you. Is four days too late to get into shape?

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Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>are CCA. Even mastro's "classic" is out of my league. When is someone going to realize that there are a lot of collectors out there who would spend a grand on a lot but can't spend five grand on a lot of several cards?

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Posted By: <b>barry arnold</b><p>Barry S.<br /><br />best of luck on the stress test.<br />3 days is not much time to get in shape but i must admit<br />that fish oil (omega 3s) did wonders for my cholesterol.<br />total cholesterol is never over 140 and i'm a couple of years older<br />than you. check it out if you need help in that domain.<br /> <br /><br />all the best,<br /><br />barry

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Cholesterol low, blood pressure normal, 148 pounds dripping wet- I should be fine. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>barry arnold</b><p>glad to hear it!<br />since you hated exercise, I got a little overprotective. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />all the best,Barry<br /><br />Barry

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Thanks Barry- I walk really fast, nobody can keep up with me. But going to a gym, forget it! <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>I have lot 22 in REA. They had one last year, so saved mine for this year The photo on the net isn't good, but it's great in the catalogue.<br /><br /> 1869 Peck and Snyder Red Stockings, cartoon back (my favorite part).<br /><br />Live fast (uh...) , die young (well, before 80...) and have a good-looking corpse (well,... )(0 out of three isn't that bad.)

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Julie- I knew that was yours, because a long time ago it used to be mine, and I recognized it from the back. There's a telltale sign that's unmistakeable.

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Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>i just spent most of the evening (at my girlfriend's parents in Albany) really studying both catalogs.<br /><br />i narrowed down my interest to about 10 lots per auction...then narrowed it down even further...<br /><br />after sitting at the dining room table for 5 hours with a laptop, catalogs, charts, pens, highlighters, etc...i have now identified about 3 lots in each auction that i will be bidding extremely heavy on.<br /><br />i am exhausted, i should give this much effort at work! <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>MVSYNC,'t Barry, Guys,<br /><br />I'm still testing the auction waters and can't afford to bid at an Mastro or REA auction, can you guys recommend a good second tier auction house. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.<br /><br />Peter

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Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>well, i don't want to insult any auction house by calling them "second tier"...but some OTHER ones you might want to check out are Sloate, Huggins & Scott, Goodwin, SportsCardPlus...Also Heritage, Hunt, etc.<br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>No insult at all...but I'm off the calendar for awhile. If you scour through Mastro and REA, I bet you can find yourself a good deal.

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>MVSYNC, Barry,<br /><br />Maybe I'm naive, but I'm curious, if cards bring in more money individually, why do the auction houses sell cards in large lots at all.<br /><br />Peter

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Posted By: <b>bruce Dorskind</b><p><br />Whils there is much talk that there "is too much material" between the Robert Edwards<br />and Mastro Auctions, we do not believe this to be the case.<br /><br />Sotheby's and Christies regularly conduct nearly simultaneous auctions dedicated<br />to a high end collectible area such as Impressionist paintings. Rarely has the<br />amount of material offered impacted the price.<br /><br />The fact is that the average lot in the forthcoming Mastro and Robert Edward Auctions<br />will bring in about $6500 with the 19% buyers fee,<br /><br />The two auctions between them have about 3000 lots. That's $20 M+ in total sales.<br /><br />Given the state of the economy, the demand for super rare baseball memoribilia,<br />the explosive growth in graded type card collecting and the renewed interest<br />in 19th century and early 20th material, we would not be surprised if the total<br />prices realized (for the two auctions) exceeds $25 M.<br /><br />There will be 2000 differenent bidders, and probably at least 200 (probably<br />more) with a net worth in excess of $10 million.<br /><br />The one item where there will be no shart fall is CASH.<br /><br />As for the average collector, we're not sure who that is, but unless he or she<br />has a great deal of surplus cash or is willing to spend a great deal of his/her<br />disposable income on the auction items, "the average collector" should enjoy<br />the catalogs. His impact on the auctions will be miminal, at best.<br /><br />The average collector is not the target market for Olympic Constitutions, E 107<br />Wagners or E 125 American Caramels, not to mention PSA 8 Delongs.... The<br />competition for the best items will be between the rich and the wealthy,<br />and perhaps a few savvy investors.<br /><br />Bruce Dorskind<br />America's Toughest Want List

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Posted By: <b>Cat</b><p>Poor bastards like me should just go sit in the corner.

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Posted By: <b>Ryan Christoff</b><p>I'll join you, Cat. Maybe we can nibble on card scraps from our lowly collections for sustenance. <br /><br />Man, just when I think America's biggest blowhard can't be more of an A-hole, he defies the odds and manages to insult anyone without an 8-figure net worth. <br /><br />Awesome!<br /><br />-Ryan<br /><br />P.S. It's crazy, but this guy is so over-the-top I'm actually starting to like him. Or maybe I'm I'm just catching on to the joke. <br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>Wesley</b><p>Well said, Mr. Dorskind. These middle class guys must be delusional to think they can compete with guys like you.

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Posted By: <b>RC McKenzie</b><p>I agree with Bruce that the good stuff will sell at strong prices. The question is will the other stuff sell. I guess we will see. regards