Babe Ruth W517: brown vs. green?

[GregMitch34]

That still leaves unanswered--beyond the usual auction competitive frenzy--why the price on this brown Ruth at Heritage is at $2000, more than twice the norm, and the auction is not yet over...

[brianp-beme]

My most educated answer is...I dunno.

Brian (It is a nice looking example. Sometimes the green tint ones have a real splotchy look to them)

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

That still leaves unanswered--beyond the usual auction competitive frenzy--why the price on this brown Ruth at Heritage is at $2000, more than twice the norm, and the auction is not yet over...

Maybe a friend of the consignor, maybe a collector thought that is THE example for him? It happens. I have paid quite a bit more than I should have for cards I really wanted before.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

That still leaves unanswered--beyond the usual auction competitive frenzy--why the price on this brown Ruth at Heritage is at $2000, more than twice the norm, and the auction is not yet over...

If every card always sold for the same price forever than that would be very unusual. I have seen VCP on cards that are $1000 to $3000 and seen differences of $2000. It happens. I know sometimes i have looked at a 5 year history of a card and say 'man i wish i would of gotten the price that guy got it for at auction last year etc' or 'dang, that guy paid way to much' If this same card sells for $2000 more next year than i would be wondering more.

[GregMitch34]

But as you know, in an auction, it takes two or more to tango, so more than one person bid up that card, as opposed to, say, a BIN. Of course it could be nothing more than people think a "variant" was much scarcer than the main version, which in this case (and many others) not really true.

If people big up because of centering and general look of card that's something I can get behind. I am always an advocate of those two things but it's not always a big factor in pricing.

[Leon]

The first thing I noticed when I looked at this specimen is the overall eye appeal. It is really great. That is what I was hinting around in my last post. I am not saying that is what happened as I have no more info than anyone else. But it (a high price) can definitely happen and on a Ruth card like that.

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

But as you know, in an auction, it takes two or more to tango, so more than one person bid up that card, as opposed to, say, a BIN. Of course it could be nothing more than people think a "variant" was much scarcer than the main version, which in this case (and many others) not really true.

If people big up because of centering and general look of card that's something I can get behind. I am always an advocate of those two things but it's not always a big factor in pricing.