[Archive]

Posted By: Frank Wakefield

For starters, I use something as an example, someone (foolishly, in my perception) takes exception to it, I explain my reasoning, and I'm a thread hijacker??? Nonsense. With that out of the way'''

Now here goes the WHY, without any analgies...

A pretty smart fellow suggested this, and another wise collector's thoughts have fine-tuned this... At this point in time in the collecting hobby, the number of collectors of 'vintage' cards has increased, as has their disposable income. And the collectors live longer. More collectors are aware of the 'vintage' stuff because of Mr. Lemke's Catalog, this forum, and the like. Nowadays, stuff shows up on ebay in the "Pre 19__" sections that most collectors had never heard of a few years ago. Now they can see it, and even bid on it. In years past, Mr. Lipset's fine Encyclopedias could only be bought if you tracked Lew down, now the 3 in 1 set is on the net (and I'm glad I bought 2 of each years ago, one set dog-eared, the other 3 still very nice.) Even a few museums are buying stuff. All of these factors pressure the price of cards UP and UP more. To exascerbate this (assuming you perceive the increase in price an unfortunate outcome) there are fewer 'vintage' items becoming available... Again, collectors live longer, hold their stuff longer. A few years ago stuff would go for less on eBay, bargains could be found. Nowadays the buyers are out there, and it is more difficult to find a bargain and win it at a bargain price.

Was I surprised by the Contentnea price? Yes. The previous owner called me at home and asked me about what I thought they'd gone for. I had not watched the prices at the end, and I guessed low. He was tickled with the price! I'd seen these cards some time back, they weren't mint, but they weren't in that bad of shape. The backs were ok. Really. I think the time has come where there is no discount for quantity on some of the vinage items. Here, a fellow bought, all at once, 45% of the set. If you had a pile of money and lots of time, you could not have bought 45% of the set off of eBay the past 5 years. 100 all different. Not that bad of a deal.

Do any of us have all 222 of the photo card Contentneas? I certainly don't. Do any of us have all 640 T210s? I don't. I peaked at about 240 something, and reckognized that I'd not live long enough to buy them one or two at a time, and that I didn't have a sufficient pile to buy, say 45%, all at once, IF they became available. So I decided to focus on one series, and I've sold off many of the others.

Was the price high on these? YES. Especially with the commission. Was it crazy? I don't think so. I think it's ok, and a validation of the prices realized on the Old Mills in Bill Goodwin's previous auction.

There are bargains still out there, Batter Ups and strip cards... but the bargains are waning. The new collector buyer vultures are circling...

Sometimes wrong, never in doubt.