Posted By:
Jeff DrumI have collected both cards and autographed cards for years. I have auto'd cards ranging from T206 to 2005 Topps. My experience has been that the actual value of the card has little to do with what will be paid for an auto'd card. Case in point, I bought an auto'd '48 Bowman Musial from a dealer a few years ago who had 5 different Musials to pick from including a Red Heart, Bowman, etc. All were priced within $25 of each other and priced according to the perceived quality of the auto (Sharpie, ink, clear, run off side, smudged, etc.). I believe that there is a difference in prices realized for cards that are vintage signed; an ink signed '51 Bowman as opposed to a Sharpie signed '51 Bowman gottent through the mail or at a show in the 80's-90's. The difference is not great but is there and is driven I believe by auto'd set builders. The auto'd cards price is driven primarily by the scarcity of the auto, whether the player is deceased, a HOF, etc. Some notable exceptions do exist such as '52 Topps high numbers.