Rick Probstein interviews Bill Mastro

[drcy]

Whatever people think of him (them) and the accuracy of what he said, it was an interesting and entertaining interview.

Amongst many interesting stories of early collecting and the early hobby, he talks directly about the Gretzky T206 Wagner (It came with many T206s irregularly cut from a sheet or sheets and, after purchasing the lot for $25,000, he trimmed the oversized Wagner) and the nature of the wronging/illegalities at Mastro Auctions. It was obvious Mastro retains a love and interest in cards themselves.

He should write a book, as he has a lot of history of the early hobby.

It's true that Probstein sometimes interrupted him (People want to hear the answer not the question) and hurried him along. My impression is he had a time allotment for the story, and was doing time management. He could do a series.

[Bridwell]

In 1972, I bought a Ty Cobb T206 batting card from Irv Lerner at a Detroit card show for 40 cents. I picked out some other good ones for 10 cents each but he insisted on 40 cents for the Cobb. It had 2 light creases, and after 30 years it got a PSA 2. The most expensive card I saw that year was a Ruth Goudey card for $1.00.

A few years later, around 1980, I bought my Ty Cobb green portrait at a Detroit show for $10. I splurged on it because it was super nice. Some 25 years later, I got it graded PSA 5 and still have it.

[Tony Gordon]

Seems like some folks forgot the depth of Mastro's fraud or just plain don't know. Here is a link to the "American Greed" episode.

[RL]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

Seems like some folks forgot the depth of Mastro's fraud or just plain don't know. Here is a link to the "American Greed" episode.

and the sad part is that some people will still defend that pos

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

Seems like some folks forgot the depth of Mastro's fraud or just plain don't know. Here is a link to the "American Greed" episode.

Thanks for sharing this.
I knew most of the stories but this fills in a lot more details

[Fred]

I remember that episode of AG. Kind of brings things into perspective.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

Seems like some folks forgot the depth of Mastro's fraud or just plain don't know. Here is a link to the "American Greed" episode.

Okay, so in the beginning of this episode, a guy by the name of Jeff Evers buys an old man's collection for only $500. In it were some insane cards, including a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie, which is worth crazy money. He stated that he only saw a few cards on top and didn't know what was inside, and therefore decided to "take a chance" with it, which in my opinion is BS. He darn well knew what he was doing. And the funny part, ladies and gents? He cries at the end because he felt that Mastro "screwed him." HA!

[1963Topps Set]

I never dealt with Bill Mastro. He was a high end dealer and way out of my league. However, I do know of someone who was burnt by him and his cronies. The bottom line is that Bill is a cheat, liar, thief and fraud. With all of the experience he had, he knew what he was doing. Of course he is sorry now, because he got caught and so far has paid a heavy price for his actions. But I have no pity for him. What he did to Lionel Carter was pitiful. The buzzards were certainly circling! The poor guy never knew what hit him.
Tom Re.ed.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Bridwell

In 1972, I bought a Ty Cobb T206 batting card from Irv Lerner at a Detroit card show for 40 cents. I picked out some other good ones for 10 cents each but he insisted on 40 cents for the Cobb. It had 2 light creases, and after 30 years it got a PSA 2. The most expensive card I saw that year was a Ruth Goudey card for $1.00.

A few years later, around 1980, I bought my Ty Cobb green portrait at a Detroit show for $10. I splurged on it because it was super nice. Some 25 years later, I got it graded PSA 5 and still have it.

Man I love stories like this! I wish I was into vintage when I was a youngster instead of buying 1984 Topps, Donruss and Fleer. I remember getting hornswaggled by the card shop owner in Dansville CA selling the large format 84 Topps product. Said it would be huge! haha