Have you ever had part of your collection appraised?

[Zan]

Originally Posted by Leon

Some collections have cards where there is no way to know a value unless they go to auction.

This. I was really just curious about what it was valued at.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Zan

This. I was really just curious about what it was valued at.

Totally understand. When I try to value mine I get a very, very wide spread. My wife asks about it every now and then and I sort of scratch my head. I really don't know the value but it's more than it should be relative to other resources . (and she is cool with it).

I just tell her that if we have a financial issue I will sell a few cards and that usually quells the worries.

[egbeachley]

About 25 years ago I was purchasing my first home. Had the down payment and enough income but my net worth was low (note to those under 40, things were different back then). So I mentioned I had some cards. Offhand I recall the best were a 1933 Goudey Ruth, Old Judge Monty Ward, and a few N28 commons.

They suggested an appraisal might work so I went to AJs Sport Shop in Vienna Va and they gave a value around $3K, typed up the appraisal on their letterhead, and I gave it to the loan company. It worked. In hindsight it shouldn't have worked since anyone could have given a bogus appraisal.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Leon

Totally understand. When I try to value mine I get a very, very wide spread. My wife asks about it every now and then and I sort of scratch my head. I really don't know the value but it's more than it should be relative to other resources . (and she is cool with it).

I just tell her that if we have a financial issue I will sell a few cards and that usually quells the worries.

Leon, I can definitely identify with this.

[ullmandds]

i think many of us on this board are more than capable of appraising our own collections...atleast I know I can.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

i think many of us on this board are more than capable of appraising our own collections...atleast I know I can.

Would any insurer rely on a self-appraisal?

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by I Only Smoke 4 the Cards

Would any insurer rely on a self-appraisal?

I have no idea...but if they'd trust an appraisal from a dealer whose been dealing vintage for less yrs than my youngest underwear...why not?

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I have no idea...but if they'd trust an appraisal from a dealer whose been dealing vintage for less yrs than my youngest underwear...why not?

It seems like people would inflate the value of their collection, but your point it well taken.

[t206hound]

Originally Posted by I Only Smoke 4 the Cards

Would any insurer rely on a self-appraisal?

I have a relatively modest collection, but collectibles insurance services (collectinsure.com) simply based my policy on the estimate I gave them. When my renewal came up, and I had sold off some cards, I adjusted it down and my premium lowered as well.

[deadballfreaK]

Originally Posted by Leon

I just tell her that if we have a financial issue I will sell a few cards and that usually quells the worries.

I've been using that for a few years, but I fear that's run its course. The wife is starting to go on offense. "You know if you sold a few cards like you are always telling me you can, then we could............."