Posted By:
robert aThis is an interesting thread.
We've talked a lot about the sudden movement by collectors over the last year or so to frantically buy up all of the caramels (and sometimes tobaccos...as if they are going somewhere) without a care. True E107 collectors have to be affected the most by this. Not that E107 collectors aren't prepared to spend the big bucks already for higher grade commons and hofers, but now low grade commons are pretty darn expensive.
E107s represent the pinnacle of caramel sets for hardcore collectors.
It's not that it can't be completed in my opinion, but rather that it will never be completed by someone who is starting the set right now. Those few collectors that have started on the set years ago might have a chance, but the recent trend will definitely stunt the growth of any collector's E107 additions. I think that a few collectors will sell now due to the nice prices they will receive and the cards will sit in new collections for a couple of years until the new collector decides to resell them. Of course, the type collectors might hold on to a few nicer hofers.
I have no doubt that collectors jumping on the E107 bandwagon love vintage cards, I just hope (for their own health) that they don't have any intention of trying to actually finish it.
As far as collectors go though, I've agree with the notion, "Once a collector, always a collector." There's no escape. Hopefully, folks who appear to be "getting out" are really just reloading or selling off the overpriced stuff and settling in to a new and less expensive challenge once they realize the market has ruined there hopes of completion.
robert