Bob, you can also make an argument the other way where lots went much higher than Ebay as well. Ebay does really good with items 500.00 or less IMO, and the AHs do much better with higher end items! Why? Because all the serious collectors who know rarity and value subscribe and participate in most of the big auction companies. Ebay attracts the serious collectors but nit to where we search it daily for deals and cards. The high end cards which go through an AH will be infront of all the serious collectors who have the means to buy. Ebay and AHs appeal to different types of collectors and knowledge. Look at how some reprints sell from other post in Ebay. That would never fly throug an AH.
I don't put too much stock in the timing of Leon's collection being sold. The catalog was out there in plenty of time for people to budget. Plus, there were not alot of duplicates to where it would keep the price down other than like the Ferguson Bakery cards (congrats to Bill and other owner). The format was. Ery fair IMO too! The auction did not extend into the wee hours of the night.
There were many great percieved great values like the Pinkerton Cobb comes to mind. Plus, there were some strong prices which will adjust price guides next year like the Tarzan bread cards and the Cobb Shapiro card.
I think many people will look back at this auction and say I wish I had gone a little bit stronger on this lot. Plus, Im sure the "make a offer" part of Heritage will get tons of use for the next decade because of this auction.
I think Leon said in a post earlier that some items were almost to rare for its own good! I totally agree with that and when a description reads _____ known to exsist, than you might want to jump in that one. Rather than worrying about what a population report isfor the grade of a card.
|