Posted By:
Bruce Dorskind
James
Certainly all major external events impact collecting whether it be
coins, furniture or baseball cards.
It has been our experience that the middle market is the one most
adversely affected by an economic downturn.
Small items provide pleasure. As long as someone is not giving up
the ability to feed his/her family or pay for the school they will continue
to shop/collect.
On less expensive items there tend to be a great many bidders and the impact
of 10-20% fewer bidders (probably one or two people on any item) will not be
significant
The very rare and extremely expensive items do not appear often. While there
is no hard statistical data, our best guess is that there are less than 500 people
who spend $50,000 a year or more baseball memorabilia. Remember that includes
cards, uniforms, autographs, advertising pieces and hundreds of other items
Clearly a percentage of those people will feel the impact of the current crisis. The prices
for the lesser of the high priced items will be noticeable. Certain collectors will postpone
selling their collection. By the same token those collectors who have to sell to continue
their life style will sell. The new items they bring to market will impact the market
It is uncertain how. If the item is extremely special, there are enough wealthy collectors
that it is likely to do well. If it just another group of common high grade Goudeys or T 206s
prices will fall.
As for the mid range items, we have already seen a drop and would think that a further drop
is coming. Watch for more unsold and withdrawn items.
Lots of good luck in your own collecting
Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List