That Cicotte CJ 14 at Love the Game: What's Up?

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

Leon, 6-7000 anyway--REA itself did not give any estimate with the item, which was rare, signaling they didn't know what the ceiling was, either. That always gets your hopes up. The next highest PSA for the card was a 5, so you'd think the registry guys would love it. I know Marquard is not a key HOFer and that is one factor, but still. Also, as I noted here early on, and others agreed, the color printing of the REA catalog was very poor.

Did Rob give you his own estimate of what he thought the card would hammer at?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Consigning a card always carries with it a certain degree of risk. Even in the best auctions, every card does not bring a record price or even do well.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Consigning a card always carries with it a certain degree of risk. Even in the best auctions, every card does not bring a record price or even do well.

+1....well said.

[Econteachert205]

As an outsider to the cj world, I look at the cicotte and Marquard and I find the artistry of the cicotte much more attractive. Also, despite Marquard being in the Hof (bah) to me cicotte is the much more collectible player.

[Jaybird]

Great looking card, nice centering and overall great eye appeal. It doesn't have the card color showing through with scuffs and faded color that cards suffer from. The card speaks for itself. Maybe people can see past the registry and just want a really nice '14 CJ. Boogers and all.

[Robert_Lifson]

Ironically, we DID discuss value with Greg Mitchell. Below is our communication to Greg. It sold for $5,100 ($100 above the $3,000 to $5,000 likely selling price that Brian communicated very clearly in writing). Also, the SMR value is $3,300. I can understand a seller always wishing a consignment sold for more, but I think the card brought a very strong price.



-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Dwyer
To: Greg Mitchell
Sent: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 10:39 am
Subject: Re: from Greg Mitchell, re:consigning
Hi Greg,

Thanks for your email. I've noticed the spike in 1914 CJ pricing, so you're right that now might be a good time to sell your card. The strong interest in the set, coupled with a 1/1 pop, which can only go up, is a good combination.

To answer your questions:

1) There would be no seller's fee to you. You'd receive 100% of the hammer price.

2) As far as placement in the catalog, we put all of our lots chronologically, so the CJ would fall towards the front of the book naturally. With everyone bidding online, and the search function taking people directly to what they're looking for, placement in the catalog isn't as important as it once was. I would guarantee you a half page on the card, perhaps more if it looks good and fits with the layout of the book (we're building a huge puzzle so everything has to fit).

3) With respect to additional promo, we promote the whole auction extensively, in several venues that other places do not and with the largest circulation of catalogs in the hobby. We can place your card in one of our mass e-mails concerning the auction.

4) We would start the card at $1,000.

5) It's not that we don't like to give estimates, it's just that on certain cards/items, it can be extremely difficult to know what something will go for. I don't think anyone would've predicted $2300 for Sallee, or $343,000 for the Ruth/Gehrig ball that we sold last spring (after selling it for $98,000 a few auctions earlier), or $12,000 for the PSA 6 Old Mill Tinker we had (SMR $575). I think the card would likely sell for between $3-5,000. Naturally, I hope it sells for $10,000, but we don't know how fierce the competition will be. I could tell you I think it will sell for $10,000, which might make you happy, but then if it sells for $5,000, you're disappointed. Instead, we tell people to focus on consigning your card to the place that will do the best job, as buyers will respond accordingly, and we think we fit the bill.

6) I think now is a good time to sell. As I alluded to earlier, the population on this card can only go up. You have a number of guys in the market who are clearly competing for high-end cards. Trying to time anything, whether it be card prices, stock prices, home prices, etc. is nearly impossible and can be like catching daggers. I think we know that things are looking good for CJs now, so capitalize while you know you can. Things might go up a bit, which might sting for a little if you "lose" out on a few hundred bucks, but it would sting a lot more if the price dropped in half.

If you have any other questions, please let me know. We'd love to have the card, we think it would do well, and the sooner we have it, the sooner we can tell people about it.

Brian

[calvindog]

Wow, Rob, what a bastard you are -- the card sold for more than your estimate. How dare you?