I have found that there are collectors who prize beaters not just because of their price, but because the cards show character and show that they were loved by somebody many moons ago. We have all heard the stories that the Mr. Carter's cards were his pride and joy. I suspect that there is a faction of people who (similar to beaters) attribute additional character to his cards because they know they were part of such a famously loved collection.
As for me, I do not own any of his pedigreed cards, but I certainly wouldn't mind owning one or more. To me, it has more to do with my suspicion that the cards were not doctored and are in as good of condition as they are because they were legitimately and meticulously cared for. Would I attach a premium to that? Probably not contiously, but it is certainly plausible that I might subcontiously be inclined to bid one increment higher than I normally would have. I suspect that there would be decreasing utility after the first purchase of one of his cards. With that in mind, any such premium would quickly deminish for subsequent purchases.
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