Helmar Brewing Co.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Is there even a pre war section on ebay anymore????

Good point Pete. I sometimes have to double check the search settings when I scroll. The other day I had to wade through a couple hundred slabbed '65 Topps to see the listings that didn't work for me anyway.

[GKreindler]

I've gotta agree with Chris regarding Monty Sheldon, he's an absolute force to be reckoned with. His website REALLY doesn't do his work justice, and as I've nagged him about many times, needs some serious updating (like I'm one to talk).

But he does keep his Facebook page updated:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Very-...20955254596509

Seriously though, he's a phenomenal artist and makes amazing keepsakes. I can't extoll his virtues enough.

Graig

[autograf]

The Helmar stuff is all very neat stuff. I have a few that I bought early on when he first started doing them. I have 8-10 leathers that are fashioned after the L1 leathers and they are TOP NOTCH work. I'll try to scan and post a couple here. Some are players contemporary to the L1's and some are newer players--Ruth, etc but on an L1 format. The 1933 Goudey-type cards are absolutely fantastic with the Japanese, Negro League and House of David cards along with Mantle, Clemente and others in that same format. The prices they bring on ebay are just enormous. $200-$300 for some stars in the 1933 Goudey format. Robert Edward Auctions sold a few lots in the recent auction:

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/..._fall/975.html

The lot above, for instance, brought $840 for 41 cards or about $20 per card. Some of those same cards on ebay brought much, much more. So you do have to wonder about holding value. If you're buying them because you love them $20 per card is MUCH more affordable than $200-$300 per card on ebay......

Ebay completed auctions for the R319 Goudey-esque cards are below:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_ssn=...w=r319&_sop=16
Ranging from high at $230+ for Fleetwood Walker (cool idea) to lowest price of $9.99 for Vern Stephens. 26 of them sold over $100. 104 of them sold at $20 and below.

As for artwork, as I understand it, he commissions the artwork for the cards, so he's not stealing anything. They are done from vintage photos I'd assume and then the cards are made from that artwork--which he's sold as well. If you look at the completed auctions, sum up sales for a month, and you'll see it's a pretty lucrative business.....at least on the revenue end....not sure about costs........

Great great stuff though........there are also a couple of copycat(ish) type sellers on ebay doing something similar albeit not on the same size or quality as sirraffles........

[triwak]

Bought this a few years ago, and it wasn't expensive. About $5. Also have Martin Dihigo and Pete Hill (no scans). Extra thick card stock, and tobacco card sized. However, the card backs do not mimic any vintage issue, but instead have a scratch-off section for the purpose of redeeming some sort of prizes. (I've never scratched them off, ha)! Pretty cool cards.

[porkchops]

One of my Grandaughters likes to use the word "nold"
meaning something that's both new and old at the same time.
I think that's a good way to describe Helmar Cards.
.....
Have a complete series 1 set and a few of the series 2 and 3 cards.
As for their current offerings ....... I really like them and enjoy
participating in the Tuesday night auctions.
I have my favorite lines and only bid on those .
.....
To everyone at Helmar "Great Job"
Ken

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by porkchops

One of my Grandaughters likes to use the word "nold"
meaning something that's both new and old at the same time.
I think that's a good way to describe Helmar Cards.
.....
Have a complete series 1 set and a few of the series 2 and 3 cards.
As for their current offerings ....... I really like them and enjoy
participating in the Tuesday night auctions.
I have my favorite lines and only bid on those .
.....
To everyone at Helmar "Great Job"
Ken

I like it! "Nold"...I'm using it

[Jantz]

Here is one that I picked up recently at a show. Some of the Helmar cards are well designed and make nice display pieces.

Jantz