Helmar Boston Garter Cobb and others...

[Leon]

I see this Cobb and think how great looking these cards are. I really like them for exactly what they are. I know some others don't care for them. However I would like to see the boards approval or disapproval as I am curious. When voting just keep in mind what they are intended to be, I believe, which is fine, modern creations of some great players and cards. They certainly aren't meant to deceive. Anything that adds value, in a legitimate way, to our hobby is a good thing (to me).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/H813-4-Bosto...item1c2d4909f7



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[MVSNYC]

What's the history with these? I've seen a few in the past, but don't know the back story. Please elaborate- who produces Helmar, what year, how many produced, etc

[Piratedogcardshows]

I like them.I haven't purchased any but I placed a bid or two on some nice Virginia League ones.I would rather buy a Prewar card but some of these have really cool images.

[scooter729]

I really wish they weren't listed as "Pre-WWII (Pre-1942)" era, since they are being made right now. I wouldn't totally say that "they certainly aren't meant to deceive" when they are listed in this manner.

[Paul S]

I like them but have no desire to collect them. Hence, I had to vote "I don't care".

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Paul S

I like them but have no desire to collect them. Hence, I had to vote "I don't care".

Yeah, no matter how the question was phrased I knew confusion would exist so I tried to take the Keep-it-Simple method. The question doesn't pertain to if you want to collect them only if you like them. Otherwise it would have said "do you want to, or do you, collect them" ......thanks for everyone's thoughts so far.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by scooter729

I really wish they weren't listed as "Pre-WWII (Pre-1942)" era, since they are being made right now. I wouldn't totally say that "they certainly aren't meant to deceive" when they are listed in this manner.

I voted that I like them, but that is for what they are.

I hate that when I am searching PreWWII I have to put "-helmar" in my search otherwise it gets saturated by these things. Ebay has a policy against this in their "Seach and Browse manipulation policy". Yet we know they don't enforce their own policies. If they did then any one that has "SGC 4 (Not PSA)" would also be breaking the rules yet the site is saturated with these listings.

Ebay really needs to enforce their own policies if they want to make it a better site.

[Runscott]

Leon, as someone who has created his own card sets, yes, I like them - they are wonderfully done, capture 'vintage', and what's not to like?

But while I like the actual physical cards, I don't get the prices. I commend the creators for getting the most $$$ possible from their idea, but I selfishly would like to see an undistressed affordable 'set' of their fantasy Boston Garters or '33 Goudeys. If the price were right, I would buy some.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by scooter729

I really wish they weren't listed as "Pre-WWII (Pre-1942)" era, since they are being made right now. I wouldn't totally say that "they certainly aren't meant to deceive" when they are listed in this manner.

This one might involve just a tad of 'deception', but if I were collecting the '33 Goudey set, it would make a good filler:

1933 Goudey Lajoie

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by Runscott

This one might involve just a tad of 'deception', but if I were collecting the '33 Goudey set, it would make a good filler:

1933 Goudey Lajoie

I had decided that this card WOULD make a good filler in my progressing 33 goudey set and was in the process of psyching myself up for a last second bid tonight, when it dawned on me that I should check the size.
These are 3"x3.6" inches according to the helmar website. "real" R319's are 2-3/8" x 2-7/8".

Just thought I'd post that as a warning in case anyone else had decided to use this card in their 33 set.

[Bocabirdman]

I have seen more than a couple that I found quite well done. If I stumbled on one in a lot purchase or some such, it wouldn't hurt my feelings. However, I agree 100% that they shouldn't be listed in the Pre-War listings on eBay. I don't filter them out but sometimes they are a pain in the butt.

[packs]

I like them but they don't belong in the Pre-WW2 section of eBay. I understand why they're there (to appeal to us). But I think they shouldn't be.

[DaveW]

I have to agree - I like them for the looks and style, but I would never pay more than $5 or $10 for one. Just because they will only make a max of 4 per year doesn't mean that they are rare.

[cubsfan-budman]

Originally Posted by DaveW

I have to agree - I like them for the looks and style, but I would never pay more than $5 or $10 for one. Just because they will only make a max of 4 per year doesn't mean that they are rare.

Thats actually pretty rare...

[jcmtiger]

I like them, but don't like the price.

Joe

[Leon]

I sure do like them after seeing a lot of them this evening, on the bay. I don't think I like them enough to pay the amount they go for but.... they sure are purty...(sic) Maybe they will mass produce some in the future and the prices will come down a little.

[jbbama]

While some are very cool, i also see them as simply art. I do not think they should be listed (catagorized) the way they are. They have however created a nice little niche for themselves.

[Exhibitman]

I think they're nice looking items and as long as no one purchasing them thinks they are rare or old or an investment, there is no harm. To me, they occupy the same niche as the 1950-56 Callahan, 1960-61 Fleer, 1961 Golden Press, and 1974 Laughlin Old Time Black Stars cards. That said, I cannot see buying one since there are so many actual vintage cards I want to buy given the prices of the ones I would be interested in owning. For example I saw a Clemente went for over $100--I could buy a genuine vintage Clemente in similar condition for less than that. I might consider a purchase of one of a living player if I was interested in getting it signed. I also like the Negro Leaguers issued as vintage cards of those players are basically so rare and so pricey that it is not realistic for most collectors to collect anything except a tribute type card anyway.

[novakjr]

The thing I don't quite get is why most unlicensed collector-issues are pretty much completely ignored, while these are treated like gold. I get the artwork, limited runs, vintage players, artificially aged thing. But still, we're talking about cards that in terms of the standard catalog, (I assume)by rule, wouldn't be included. Or if listed, should technically be listed as having "no value", just like every other collector issue or modern fantasy piece..

[HRBAKER]

I think the answer lies in design, quality, player selection and a direct tie to classic sets of the past. Also the fact that the seller knows what he is doing in terms of selecting key Negro League figures with no cardboard (or limited) history. These are more than a reprint like issue, to me they are a quasi-card/artwork/etc.

To me there are a lot of things in the hobby that boggle, it just depends on what you like. Print freaks, scrap, backs as opposed to fronts, it's a big tent. I don't find the prices being paid hard to believe at all.

[novakjr]

At that extent(aside from print runs), what "really" separates them from the Klector/Miller Press/Monarch Corona or the modern Zeenut things? Or even those crayon drawings that have been discussed in the forums?

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by novakjr

At that extent(aside from print runs), what "really" separates them from the Klector/Miller Press/Monarch Corona or the modern Zeenut things?

I have never held one of those issues in my hand bf so this is a guess but I would say quality. Also they have now developed an "inertia" based on past sales.