Is Beckett's Becoming Relevant?

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Posted By: peter chao

For quite a while vintage collector's have ignored Beckett's, but recently they have begun paying attention to the vintage collector. They have recently issued Beckett's Graded Cards Price Guide and Beckett's New York Yankee Collector's Guide to Memorabilia.

Has anybody looked at these publications, are they useful to us vintage collectors?

Peter C.

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Posted By: Matt

I find very little value in printed price guides. It used to be that Beckett dictated the market since auction/sale results weren't easily available. Now that they are, what something actually sold for has to be preferred over what Beckett claims it's worth.
Last week there some clown on ebay selling a Poor condition '33 Gehrig for something like $4,000 and he quoted Beckett as his justification; I'm sure even Beckett didn't say that, but my point to him was that actual sale prices are what something is worth.

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Posted By: leon

Since Beckett did their reorganization a few years ago, after Dr. Beckett sold it, I don't think their vintage has been up to par...and even before that they couldn't concentrate on it as that is not where their audience was. Beckett "might" still be viable in the newer market but still isn't close in the Pre-War market, imo. I did speak with some of them at the National and they asked if I would write a vintage article for them for their website. I am still contemplating it. I do enjoy helping the hobby but I think some of their decisions have been poor. BTW, the person quoting the Ruth Goudey at 4k was probably taking the high Beckett book and quoting it even though his card was far below low book.....

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Posted By: davidcycleback

They primarily cater to modern card collectors. The Becket Almanac (the equivalent to Standard Catalog) is good last time I saw. I've never read it, but they have a new magazine called Becket Elite (I think) which deals with game used and probably more vintage memorabilia.

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Posted By: dennis

beckett is as relevant as SCD.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I was reading a brief bio of Dr. Beckett and he came up with homemade baseball card price guides when an assistant professor of statistics at Bowling Green University. I assume this might mean it was part of his statistics research. Just thought that interesting.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

The arbiter is that Krause/SCD is in Iola Wisconsin and Beckett is in Dallas-- Where would you rather visit?

I've never been to Iola, but Bob Lemke once told me it's in the middle of dairy cow country.

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Posted By: leon

Dr.Beckett does live in the Dallas area. I know him a little bit from the last few Nationals and spending some time with him. A nicer gentleman I have not met. It helps that he's a type card collector too .

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Posted By: Red

If you collect price guides they're a must have. If you collect vintage cards they're as helpful as a subscription to Better Homes and Gardens.

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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

For me, the Beckett Price Guide is of historical interest since it has been published since 1979. And although the numbers they cite are not always as accurate as possible, they are valuable for some trend analysis.

If accurate pricing information is wanted, VCP and CP probably offer the best that's available.

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Posted By: Rick McQuillan

Hi folks,
Two points

1.Iola is in the "driftless area" in Southwest Wisconsin. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the US. Rolling hills, lush and green during the summer and wonderful fall colors.

2. I deal with a lot of newer cards. Beckett isn't even in the ballpark for cards from 1980 through 2004. You will be lucky to get 10-20% of the Beckett price for most cards. 2005-present is a little more accurate, although you have to be carefull with GU and inserts. You have to move the inserts and GU's quickly or the price will drop dramatically.

If you look at cards from the 90's, such as Cal Ripken or Ken Griffy, Jr. from the base sets, Beckett is still listing these cards at $2-$3 or more. But in the real world, try getting a quarter for them. Good luck with that!

It seems that Beckett does fairly well with 50's through 70's if the buyer and the seller both keep condition in mind. Beckett, SCD, and Tuff Stuff have all been providing more info for the pre war collectors, with more auction coverage and more pre war articles, but none of them can come close to the knowledge and information that is passed along through Net54.

Rick