Posted By:
bruce Dorskind
marty'
We believe that the discussion's focus was on pre-war cards.
Mr. Mantle did not begin play until 1951.
There are a very few names, i.e. Ruth, Mantle, Cobb where the
price remains strong despite a large number of available examples.
Quite simply, there are many collectors (and non-collectors) who
want to own a Mantle or a Ruth card. It also appears that dealers
feel comfortable paying close to retail for these players as they
move well at shows and on E Bay.
We also must remember that some items appear to infrequently
that prior history is either not going to be an indicator. If a card
only appears in a public auction once every five years, then the
price is going to be determined by the select few collectors who
have an interest.
Under the right circumstances, the card could sell for 5x or 10x book
because the "book" is based on an out-of date reference and/or
someone's best guess.
Prices vary significantly for pre-War cards because so many examples
are rare. thinly traded and draw only two or three fiercely competitive
bidders. A subsequent auction often results in a substantial price swing.
In general,we do believe that the market is an accurate predictor of
price and that the impact of "hyping" is limited.
Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List