The Fall of Red Kleinow

[Bosox Blair]

A little while back I picked up a T205 Cycle-backed Red Kleinow (attractive SGC 40) for a very nice price - under $80. And nobody bid against me. Not one.

It occurred to me that 15-20 years ago, the name of Red Kleinow was a hugely important one to T-card collectors...but not really today.

In terms of the T206 Kleinow (Boston) card, old-time collectors will remember that this was considered one of the most valuable cards in the entire T206 set a couple decades ago. Now, that card does not seem to generate any excitement at all. AFAIK, the card is still regarded as a tough one. I believe in Scot Reader's earlier version of his T206 work, he ranked it as one of the 5 toughest non-SL common players in the set, excluding Demmitt, O'Hara and the Doyle variation (I don't have it in front of me, but I'm pretty sure that is correct).

The T205 was - and still is - a known short print, available only with Cycle, Hassan and Piedmont 25 backs. This card seems to cost less each year. It seems to still be a tough card - if you check PSA's pop report, for example, there are more than 4 times as many T205 Speakers as T205 Kleinows.

Any theories as to why the shine seems to have come off Kleinow's T-cards?

Cheers,
Blair

[wazoo]

I'm not sure why, but I love mine. It's a beautiful SGC 40 and the design of the card is truly unique. Great post!

[T205 GB]

Blair over the past few yrs there has been more 205 Kleinows available. The Cycles, at one time, I can recall seeing several on the market at one time. Supply and demand just like the Raymond last yr at $700+ for VG and Now a VG Cycle Raymond can't sell at $350

[tbob]

I've noticed several of the tougher T205s have come down closer to the prices of commons, Wagner, Kleinow, Donahue, Suggs, etc. I don't have an explanation. I still see sellers putting strong BINs on them but you are right, in auctions they seems to not be as strong as they were 15 years ago.

[Bosox Blair]

Thanks for your comments, fellas. Maybe short-print cards like the T205 Kleinow won't increase in value unless the T205 set generally gets hotter. The last few years I think it is safe to say T205 has been mostly "cold" for some reason .

Cheers,
Blair

[EvilKing00]

there is a Red Kleinow on ebay now that bid up to $71, with 6 days left its a PSA 4, not a bad price with 6 days left to push it up more.