Bill Mastro and SCD Hobby Predictions

[Keith H. Thompson]

This is only going to work if I can attach a picture, but I thought it was interesting reading in a January 9, 1998 issue of Sports Collectors Digest at the time and thought so again today. The article refers to events of the year 1973 and finishes with the thought -- "try to picture what the hobby might look like in 2023"

In 1973 Bill Mastro purchased a T206 Wagner card for $1,500. The Trader Speaks is quoted as saying that he (Mastro) was "perhaps the youngest collector ever to have assembled T205, T206 and T207 sets."

[samosa4u]

Iiiiiiiitttttt's Wednesday Night Quiz time!!!!!

Alright, why hasn't this thread gotten any replies?

a) Because nobody here cares about vintage baseball cards
b) Because nobody can read the damn thing!
c) Because Americans are too busy watching Copa America
d) None of the above

[NiceDocter]

I would pick “b” for me

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by NiceDocter

I would pick “b” for me

[Keith H. Thompson]

again for my poor presentation of an obscure subject, at best Leon helped me with the picture, but there is only so much he can do.

I also confess that I did it because young collectors to the Hobby probably have negative thoughts re Bill, but he was really a force in the hobby, and his auctions were gold mines. Dealers and collectors, whose opinions I respect, tell me that he treated his partners badly, but I'm used to that on many facets of life.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by Keith H. Thompson

again for my poor presentation of an obscure subject, at best Leon helped me with the picture, but there is only so much he can do.

I also confess that I did it because young collectors to the Hobby probably have negative thoughts re Bill, but he was really a force in the hobby, and his auctions were gold mines. Dealers and collectors, whose opinions I respect, tell me that he treated his partners badly, but I'm used to that on many facets of life.

Send me a message and I'll help you put up a large scan here. I'm pretty sure a lot of people would like to read it.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Keith H. Thompson

I also confess that I did it because young collectors to the Hobby probably have negative thoughts re Bill, but he was really a force in the hobby, and his auctions were gold mines. Dealers and collectors, whose opinions I respect, tell me that he treated his partners badly, but I'm used to that on many facets of life.

Yeah I can't believe that young collectors have negative thoughts on a criminal fraudster who treaded people badly. That's just, uh, terrible. They need to be educated on how criminal fraudsters in the hobby are sometimes great because they sold expensive cards amidst all that criminal fraud.

[TCMA]

Photo from an early 70’s newspaper article showing Mastro, my father (left), and Honus. Caption mentions the $1500 Wagner also referenced by SCD in original post.




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[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by TCMA

Photo from an early 70’s newspaper article showing Mastro, my father (left), and Honus. Caption mentions the $1500 Wagner also referenced by SCD in original post.
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That's Bill on the right? Really? He sure cleaned up well over the years! And is that the famous Wagner he cut from a sheet, or some other?

[Peter_Spaeth]

different

[brianp-beme]

I like that the caption begins with "Believe it or not" concerning the $1500 purchase price (in 1973). Of course our modern day minds automatically convert what was supposed to be considered an outrageously expensive cost for a piece of cardboard to "Holy can of sardines, only $1500!!!!

Brian (the Cone of Silence is once again malfunctioning)

Originally Posted by TCMA

Photo from an early 70’s newspaper article showing Mastro, my father (left), and Honus. Caption mentions the $1500 Wagner also referenced by SCD in original post.

[TCMA]

Cliff, thanks for posting that! Interestingly, there was also a TCMA/Donruss connection in 1981 as TCMA was the exclusive distributor of ‘81 Donruss to the hobby. I still have some interesting ‘81 Donruss production proofs here and correspondence between my dad and Stewart Lyman, president of Donruss.


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