Posted By:
Ryan ChristoffI'd essentially agree with Kenny's assessment of this lot. Here are a few notes:
* He's exactly right about the Habana (red) Cabanas cards being tougher. Out of the 15 Habana cards in set, there are only 2 or 3 that have multiple copies known. The rest are 1 of each. At least that I've seen.
* The Mamelo Garcia card (blue) should be the most valuable card in the lot even though the Mesa is much scarcer. He was a catcher who led the league in batting 4 years in a row (1904 to 1907) playing for 3 different teams. No one else ever won 4 consecutive batting titles.
* The Tigers Cabanas cards are grey, not yellow. Kenny's prices are accurate.
* $200 for the 1926-27 Aguilitas Gonzalez might be a tad high at the moment but certainly worth it if card is clean and the image is sharp as it is a photographic card.
* The 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez Petty card SHOULD be worth $200 to $250 as stated, but I think that's more than the current market would bring. That's a very tough issue and one of my favorites, but I just don't think there's a large market for rare Cuban type cards...YET. As more people become aware that these cards exist it's possible that this market (rare types) will emerge.
* The Diaz card of Decatur is difficult because it's not an issue I track as religiously. The set is primarily Major League pitchers (a few never played in the Majors) and there are no Cuban or Negro Leaguers. I'm offered these occasionally, but individually and in lots, but never buy them as that's not the focus of my collection. I'd be interested to hear the level of interest that board members have in these. I was recently offered a group of about 50 which included Walter Johnson and Grover Cleveland Alexander but the price was crazy. At least I thought so.
Not sure if any of this helps. I was hoping to steal this lot if it snuck by everyone but I guess that's not going to happen now so I probably won't bid.
No, wait...is that collusion???
-Ryan