WTB: 1958 Alifabolaget Pele

[Arazi4442]

Something in the 4-6 range would be ideal. If you have something for sale, please send me a PM with pics and $.

Thank You, Scott

[Ozzoo]

I have one for sale at the Swedish version of Ebay (Tradera). It's not a 4-6, but the price is on the other hand lower 😉.

https://www.tradera.com/item/411409200

[samosa4u]

Sold for 34 833 kr ($4,000 USD). And we're looking at a PSA 1 here! This is probably the highest price ever paid for a poor example.

I think people went nuts over this card after seeing that PSA 7 go for $43,511 USD. But I don't know, man. Is that normal? For a $6 - $7,000 card to shoot up that high so suddenly? And again, we're talking about PWCC here. I wouldn't use any of their sales as comps, but somebody actually did and ended up spending $75,000 USD on a PSA 8!

[Arazi4442]

I've seen a couple big sales on Heritage, for example, of 8s and 9s. I don't really question those (okay, maybe a little) This guy's in the same class as Gretzky, IMO.

Ruth got overtaken by Mays, Montana got overtaken by Brady, now there's arguments over MJ v. LeBron - no one really argues Pele or Gretzky as being the greatest ever in their sport.

Having said that, $4K for a beater 1 is wild! And, like you said, I pretty much ignore PWCC - did you see the bidding on that sale? It was over $10K within like 20 minutes of the auction being listed.

I've been looking for the right one for a few years now, passed on a couple I wish I would have got now. Maybe out of my price range until this craziness stops.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by Arazi4442

This guy's in the same class as Gretzky, IMO.

I think Pele is bigger than Gretzky. Soccer is a global sport and Pele is recognized in every part of the world. The same isn't true for Gretzky. I once read this funny article where Gretzky was in China, and the Chinese media thought he was some high-ranking politician! It was quite embarrassing. Anyhow, despite Pele's global popularity, it still doesn't justify the craziness that has been happening with his Alifabolaget card.

Originally Posted by Arazi4442

no one really argues Pele or Gretzky as being the greatest ever in their sport.

I think for a long time Pele was considered the GOAT, but Messi has been posing a huge threat to him for a while now.

[Arazi4442]

Yes, I was referring to the perceived dominance within their give sport. Clearly, Pele has a much larger global following of fans and recognition.

Perhaps this large sale in the EU is a sign of more European collectors getting into the card market, who knows? Or maybe the rising tide of this basketball card madness lately. Either way, nice return for the seller, it would be interesting to see the sale of a nice mid-grade Alifabolaget or Quigol at a trustworthy auction house.

BTW, just my personal opinion, but I don't see Messi matching up to Pele primarily due to his failings in international play. Probably not fair but that stuff matters when talking about aa time greats.