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davidcyclebackA key for collectors is provenance. If a collector is wishing to purchase a unique card, in Mint grade or variation, he can ask the seller to show where the card came from. There's a difference between the seller showing the picture and description of the same card in a 1993 Lew Lipset auction, and not being able to show that it even existed two weeks ago.
A collector can always say, "Prove to me where it came from." If the collector claims he bought it raw from Rob Lifson three years ago, I suspect Rob would be able to verify the sale said card to said seller if the sale existed. If the collector says he pulled a Mint 10 Mickey Mantle from a 1952 Topps wax pack he bought from Lifson two years ago, he should have no trouble proving he bought a 1952 Topps wax pack from Lifson.
It's been often said by card collectors, "Why would anyone pay more for a card because it belonged to Barry Halper?" Well, now you know. It's nice to be able to look at the Sotheby's catalog and know your card hasn't been changed since 1999, and it came directly from the collection of a well known collector ... Compare to a 2007 forger who can offer no proof the card existed last Tuesday.
I'm curious if buyers of expensive PSA 10 cards ask the seller to show where the card came from. Even if the seller bought the card already graded from an auction, this should easily proven. Offer a game used Robin Yount jersey to a jersey collector and he'll ask you where the jersey came from-- hoping you'll offer a letter from Yount or the team, or at least a receipt you purchased it from a reputable jersey dealer.