What would the value be for this collection?

[buymycards]

Originally Posted by gawaintheknight

I just got an e-mail from someone wanting to sell this collection:

All cards are in plastic sheets and boxes. Earlier sets have some cards with more wear since collected by an 11 year old in the 50’s.

1950 Bowman baseball complete set (most are worn)
1950 Bowman football complete set
1951 Bowman baseball complete set #1 creased and worn
1951 Bowman football complete set
1952 Bowman baseball complete set (plus 1982 phantom art work add ons)
1952 Bowman football complete set
1952 Topps #1-310 ….sorry, no #311
1952 Bowman US Presidents complete set
1953 Bowman baseball complete set (color) #1 in roughest shape
1953 Bowman baseball complete set (b & w) #64 with crease
1953 Topps baseball complete set (includes Mantel)
1954 Bowman baseball complete set (includes Mantel and Williams #66 & Piersall #66)
1954 Topps baseball complete set
1953 Glendale premium meats Detroit Tigers 7 cards
1953 Redman baseball miscellaneous (no bottom tabs)
1954 Red Heart Dog Food 9 cards (includes Mantel)
1954 Bowman football complete set
1955 Bowman football complete set
1956 Topps baseball complete set ( I believe)
1957 Topps baseball missing #2,14,16,29,45,49,50,84,86,200,220,235,264,267,268 ,270,271,279,288,294,302,306,324,327,
328,331,335,339,342,343,347,350,351,359,361,389,39 4
1957 Topps football complete set
1958 Topps football complete set
1958 Topps baseball complete set
1959 Topps/Bubbles “You’ll die laughing” miscellaneous
1960 Fleer baseball miscellaneous
1972 Topps hockey not complete set
1974 Topps baseball complete set
1975 Topps baseball mini cards complete set
1978 Topps baseball and football incomplete sets
1978 & 1979 Topps hockey almost complete sets
1982 Kmart/Topps MVP complete set
1982 Donruss Diamod Kings complete set
1983 Donruss Hall of Fame heroes complete set
1984 Donruss Grand Champions jumbo cards complete set
1985 Donruss Diamod Kings complete set

This is not the kind of thing I'm normally offered (well, I do get those 82 Kmart sets sometimes) and I don't know what a good price would be. Nor do I know if that '52 Bowman set is small or large. I think the book value is about $150K for the sets. And obviously condition is a factor. But what would be a fair price, assuming maybe VG condition?

Thanks for any help, and if I end up buying it I'll let you all know. Also I'll be offering that Kmart set for sale here, for sure.

Ted

I'm thinking that the total for the 1960's, 70's, and 80's $500 max for all of them if you want to buy them to resell. My top offer would be in the $10k-$12k range for the whole works, except for the 51 Bowman Mantle. I would estimate the grade, check VCP, and make a separate offer on the Mantle. I have no idea what that would be worth.

I know that sounds low, but have you ever tried to sell low grade 1950 Bowman football or baseball cards? If you break out the sets, it will take you years to move them one by one, and the market for low grade 1950 Bowman sets is very limited. You make your money when you buy, so if you pay too much, you won't be able to flip them quickly and make a decent profit.

Have you tried PayPal credit? I used it a couple of years ago to purchase and quick flip a collection and it worked pretty slick.

Over the years I have learned, the hard way, that many times it is better to walk away from a possible purchase rather than paying too much and then being lucky to break even when it is time to sell.

[gawaintheknight]

The answer to the question "How much would someone pay for this collection" turned out to be $37,000. It wasn't me paying that much. Thanks to everyone for your help.

[irv]

Originally Posted by gawaintheknight

The answer to the question "How much would someone pay for this collection" turned out to be $37,000. It wasn't me paying that much. Thanks to everyone for your help.

Without seeing them, it's hard to say if the seller made out or the buyer?

Personally, I think, due to the number of sets, they were likely in pretty good/EX+ condition as most, imo, who go to the trouble of amassing sets, usually take pretty good care of their cards as usually when one or a pack of cards arrives or is purchased, not a lot of time is spent with them as they are onto the next purchase/pack to complete their set.

[gawaintheknight]

They were nice cards. I can't seem to upload pictures, I'm guessing because the files are too big. Someone else from this group has seen the pictures and if he wants to comment he can do that.