Posted By:
Scott ElkinsYour example was the Harris collection - it was a T206 collection. And, there are SEVERAL high-grade T206 cards out there (NM/MT 8's and above), even though they don't grow on trees - just look on eBay from time to time. THAT (several high grade T206's IS the reason these Harris Collection cards are sometimes going DOWN in value!!!). HIGH GRADES for caramels are considered 5's and above. While with tobacco cards, people consider high grades anything above a 7.
Also, you are correct Mint cards are scarce - especially caramels! And, I was only basing my assumption of pricing according to the recent market for high grade cards (especially caramels). I do agree with you on one thing - a lot of these prices are outrageous! I am a collector, I would much rather have a nice 3 or 4 - they really look like a "Vintage card should look" in my opinion. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way I do. There are several people with tons more $$$$ than I, and they seem to like to own the BEST on the block!
Also, among the caramel sets, CJ's are the most popular - most people who even do not collect cards period recognixe T206's and Cracker Jack cards right away! Cracker Jacks are kind of the T206 set of caramel cards - the most popularly collected. It is not some obscure set by any means.
There are Several Black Sox Collectors, Several Shoeless Joe Jackson collectors and Several Cracker Jack collectors! All this equals DEMAND! Demand equals higher prices. Afterall, it would ONLY TAKE TWO COLLECTORS with tons of $$$$ who really want to own quite possibly the FINEST PRE WAR CARD in existence of one of the games MOST POPULAR players from one of the Hobby's MOST POPLUAR sets to get into a bidding war and push it WELL ABOVE the $500k mark!
Hell, recently two California League Old Judge cards in SGC POOR condition brought over $52k each!!!!!! So WHY do you find me so ignorant to think that a GEM MINT 1914 Shoeless Joe Jackson (of all players) graded by the SAME grading company is NOT worth ten times this amount of two COMMONS!?!?!?
ALL one has to do is look at the recent (past few years) Vintage Market on High Grade cards and realize that $500k for this card is a very modest value! I hope everyone does not think I am so stupid for what I said!