Prices coming down...

[MattyC]

Orlando, the manipulators will try and play their game with cards that collectors generally perceive as undervalued; that is what allows the hustle to succeed, because it is very hard for anyone on the "outside" to parse manipulation from overdue appreciation for such cards. No question and I agree that there is some genuine appreciation out there, alongside the other kind. I also agree that there was some appreciation in value on some cards that were bought thinking they could explode next, so get'em now; that is a great point, and it makes those premiums paid "fruit of the poisonous tree," to some extent.

As to your question, yes, I can point one out for you to buy: the e121 Ruth in PSA 3 grade. Per VCP, the card was a 5k to 7k card— then out of nowhere it hits 22.8k. As to the cause for one anomalous sale of any card, could be any one or more of a number of factors, many legitimate, some not— from pent up demand, to the perfect storm of buyers, to a fake sale or manipulation attempt.

There have been three successive sales since in the same grade, and each has declined, from 16.4k, to 14.7k, to 12.7k.

The good news I would imagine is that most of us collect for love of the sport and love of cards, and in terms of daily happiness in life those things far outshine the Sturm und Drang that comes when the focus shifts to money.

[orly57]

You got me. As I was typing, the e121 Ruth came to mind as the one example. I agree on that one. I would argue that it is still higher now than it was before though. Sometimes the manipulation makes us realize just how awesome and undervalued a card is and the value still evens out higher than it was before. We finally pull the trigger on a card we always wanted after realizing it almost flew out of our wheelhouse.

[BobbyVCP]

Just have to chime in and say those graphs on VCP are very nice....

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BobbyVCP

Just have to chime in and say those graphs on VCP are very nice....

They are a great feature.

[Flintboy]

Ok so the "fraudulent manipulation" occurred.....did we figure out why it stopped so suddenly? If this has been discussed on here before, just point me to the thread, no need to rehash it...

[Andrew1975]

While I agree, generally, with your analysis of the recent E121 Ruth pricing, I would add that the notion of "buying the card, not the holder", is perhaps even more important when looking at lower graded cards. Based upon VCP images, it looks like the card that sold for 12.7k has some paper loss front/center of the card (overgraded?). If anyone has for sale or knows of a nicely centered, PSA 3 - E121 Ruth (with no paper loss) for 12.7k, please let me know!

I'll add that I recently purchased an SGC 3 - E121 Ruth, with good eye appeal (in my opinion), and paid in between the low and high figures mentioned. With that said, I am a collector, and not a flipper, with no intentions of selling the card. Short term, if I did want to sell it, I'm not sure that I could get back what I paid for it.

Regards,

Andrew

Originally Posted by MattyC

Orlando, the manipulators will try and play their game with cards that collectors generally perceive as undervalued; that is what allows the hustle to succeed, because it is very hard for anyone on the "outside" to parse manipulation from overdue appreciation for such cards. No question and I agree that there is some genuine appreciation out there, alongside the other kind. I also agree that there was some appreciation in value on some cards that were bought thinking they could explode next, so get'em now; that is a great point, and it makes those premiums paid "fruit of the poisonous tree," to some extent.

As to your question, yes, I can point one out for you to buy: the e121 Ruth in PSA 3 grade. Per VCP, the card was a 5k to 7k card— then out of nowhere it hits 22.8k. As to the cause for one anomalous sale of any card, could be any one or more of a number of factors, many legitimate, some not— from pent up demand, to the perfect storm of buyers, to a fake sale or manipulation attempt.

There have been three successive sales since in the same grade, and each has declined, from 16.4k, to 14.7k, to 12.7k.

The good news I would imagine is that most of us collect for love of the sport and love of cards, and in terms of daily happiness in life those things far outshine the Sturm und Drang that comes when the focus shifts to money.

[glchen]

Anyone selling a decent looking E121 Ruth in PSA or SGC 3 for $12K, please PM me. I'm looking for one also.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by glchen

Anyone selling a decent looking E121 Ruth in PSA or SGC 3 for $12K, please PM me. I'm looking for one also.

There's an sgc 3.5 for 21.5, plus my 10%

[savedfrommyspokes]

Speaking of down, I can't remember the last time I saw a 52 Topps Mantle graded as a 2 sell for less than $9k legitimately.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-S...p2047675.l2557

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Speaking of down, I can't remember the last time I saw a 52 Topps Mantle graded as a 2 sell for less than $9k legitimately.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-S...p2047675.l2557

A mere 7 years ago, I was underbidder on a PSA 2 for $4500. Not a lifetime ago. It just seems like they have been high for awhile. The run up is recent.

[Leon]

Nice card but it does have a pretty big crease in his head....sort of generous 2 imo......I would get a 1.5 if I submitted it ....

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Speaking of down, I can't remember the last time I saw a 52 Topps Mantle graded as a 2 sell for less than $9k legitimately.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-S...p2047675.l2557

[MVSNYC]

Leon, I was about to say same, but didn't want to offend the winner of that card...it's also pretty off center. Actually, price seems about right.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

There's an sgc 3.5 for 21.5, plus my 10%

Thanks, but I'm looking to pick up those beautiful copies where the price is dropping like a rock, and $21.5K for a 3.5 doesn't seem like a firesale to me.

(In fairness to the seller of that card, it's a really nice card with the Babe not in quotes, which is the rarer variety. A 5 went for $43K over the weekend in Heritage.)

[pawpawdiv9]

I see prices climbing ^^^^^ on the old school stuff.
Did ya see the 1916-20 Big Head W-UNC Babe Ruth on Probstein?
Wow. Didn't know only 3 graded by PSA. I could of swore a board member had one here.
Wonder if its this other guy on Ebay selling his?
(PROBSTEIN'S)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1916-20-W-UN...vip=true&rt=nc, .
(EBAY SELLER)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-of-3-Scarc...3D371868324127

[ullmandds]

WOW! That's a nice example...of a rare strip of a cartoon ruth that looks nothing like him!

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

I see prices climbing ^^^^^ on the old school stuff.
Did ya see the 1916-20 Big Head W-UNC Babe Ruth on Probstein?
Wow. Didn't know only 3 graded by PSA. I could of swore a board member had one here.
Wonder if its this other guy on Ebay selling his?
(PROBSTEIN'S)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1916-20-W-UN...vip=true&rt=nc, .
(EBAY SELLER)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-of-3-Scarc...3D371868324127