What would you do?

diamond_tom · #1 03-02-2015, 02:17 PM

Hello. New member here. I haven't collected cards since the late eighties but I started thinking about two old cards I had and dug them out of the back of my closet.

They are less than 2 inches tall, black and whites, of Christy Mathewson(spelled Christe Matthewson on the card) of the NY Giants and Eddie Murphy (shortened to Ed. Murphy) of the White Sox. And the backs are completely blank.

I contacted Heritage Auctions here in Dallas and they told me that the cards are uncataloged from 1921 and would like me to list them in their next auction. They said they the Mathewson will probably go for around $2K and the Murphy, $100 or so.

Here are some notes I have gotten by email from them. They have 14 other cards from the same set.

>>Everything about them is still unknown. Right now there are 14 documented subjects and to the best of my knowledge there are maybe a handful or less of each. -- 16 subjects with yours.

>>The self-developing technology wasn't in use until the 1930's so it is possible they aren't even from the 1920's but until origin is confirmed using player/team identification is all we have to go by. The Ruth card pictures him with the Yankees so just based on that one card the set is no older than 1920 so 1916 isn't possible. Based on the currently known players/teams
1921 is the earliest we can date them thanks to the Del Pratt card since he is with Boston on the card and he played for them in 1921 and 1922.

Think I should shop these around a little more?

It seems to me something this rare, especially for a player the caliber of Christy Mathewson should be worth more.

Thanks for your input!
Tom

4815162342 · #2 03-02-2015, 02:24 PM

Welcome to the board! How did you acquire these cards?

diamond_tom · #3 03-02-2015, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4815162342

Welcome to the board! How did you acquire these cards?

Thanks! My grandfather knew I collected and bought them for me for $10 each in Mississippi at a flea market.

packs · #4 03-02-2015, 02:32 PM

Not too sure what these are but they don't have a period look to me. They look later, maybe 1940s or 1930s.

darwinbulldog · #5 03-02-2015, 02:36 PM

I was going to guess 1940s. They're reminiscent of the Topps Magic Photo series of 1948 but with much deeper contrast than one typically finds in those.

howard38 · #6 03-02-2015, 02:34 PM

The $2,000 is only an estimate. Since it would be offered by a well known auction house the hammer price should be close to the actual value of the cards.

diamond_tom · #7 03-02-2015, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard38

The $2,000 is only an estimate. Since it would be offered by a well known auction house the hammer price should be close to the actual value of the cards.

Thanks Howard. Do you think I should stay with Heritage? Are there others that are more geared towards baseball cards? Should I try eBay?

Luke · #8 03-02-2015, 02:54 PM

I would think Heritage would be about as good as you could do. Definitely not ebay. Nice cards!

the 'stache · #9 03-02-2015, 10:22 PM

Welcome aboard, Tom!

I have to agree with Jimmy. Whatever you decide, please keep us informed. I'll be interested to see what happens should you go forward with selling them.

With the increased exposure from the forum, and selling on Heritage, I wouldn't be surprised to see two Matty fans go well over $2,000, given the rarity of the pieces.