1967 Topps Jim Lefebvre Original artwork?

[Troy Kirk]

The Lefebvre artwork is definitely real, I got some of these from the Guernsey auction and they look the same. I think the values expressed here are low, these artworks from the 1960s have often sold for about $30 for commons from what I have seen. I've seen bigger names go for a lot more. Very cool one of a kind items that I think are very underappreciated.

[laughlinfan]

99.9% it is real - shows the tape and editing marks that are very common for original Topps art, and I think the odds of a faked Jim Lefebrve are low. I think the majority of the original line drawings were sold in the 1989 Topps "Guernsey" auction, although as mentioned, they do pop up from time to time in the Topps Vault auctions.

Just as everyone has said, every one is one of a kind, so it is really driven by the player, year, team and content. Player and team collectors who are interested in oddball one of a kind items will pay a decent price, and sometimes you can just never tell, but $10 is low - I think $20-$30 is more in the ball park, and I do collect some of the Topps original art and follow the auction results. I remember a few years back when Topps was selling some early 70s football artwork through the Vault, a well heeled buyer was paying upward of $100 for commons (if he had to) but would generally win them in the $25-30 range. HOFers can go very high, but sometimes are surprisingly affordable.

Unfortunately, very little info is available about who did the artwork, but they contracted out with some comic book artists for some of their artwork. Although I have never seen a signed piece of line art, I have some from the 60s that were clearly drawn by Jack Davis, and some non sport artwork done by Wally Wood.

Neat items - happy collecting!

[Mark70Z]

I know I would pay a decent price for the player I collect. Now all we need is for someone to have one of the back of the card Brooks Robinson drawings (it would have to relate to him). Wonder what it would go for.

[mdallen22]

Thanks everyone for the information; always helpful!

[laughlinfan]

Mark - if I had to guess, I would say BRobby original art would go for at least $50-75, and probably a lot more depending on the drawing. Not sure what drawings they did for his cards, but one that referenced his World Series performance, for instance, would be of more interest to collectors than one that said somethig like, "Brooks was an education major in college" or something like that (just an example). Also interesting to note that in some years, the artwork did not reference the player on the front of the card, so there might be artwork for the back of his card that says, "The 1954 Orioles lost 95 games!" or "Joe Medwick's nickname was 'Ducky'" The reverse is also true - there may be artwork based on Brooks on the back of someone else's card, too.

Happy collecting!

[Mark70Z]

Marty - you're correct. An example is his '57 Topps rookie card has on the back "Which team scored the most runs in one inning?"...and the answer is the Red Sox... At least put an O's answer!

I think if there are more than one single player collectors for the particular player then I would think the price would be more than 50-75; I know I'd personally pay more.

I personally think these are undervalued and believe this would make an interesting collection if more of these cartoons would surface and/or Topps releases a lot more...

[Tedw9]

A buddy and I went to last years National and one dealer had a TON of these at his table. I don't know the year spread, but I think they are all from the 70's. He was at the Guersney's auction and won a few of the lots. He had everything from HOF'ers to commons, artwork, proofs and plates. We ended up talking to the guy for a while, he was one of the friendlier dealers at the show. I bought the Ted Williams artwork for $350 if I remember correct and my buddy grabbed the DiMaggio for $325. They both came from the 77 Topps set.

I agree these are undervalued, I was happy to get Ted at the price I did. It's a one of a kind piece, I'll never see another.