Heritage Auctions - Boston Garters

[Mrc32]

Call me crazy - but wouldn't these draw higher prices as individual lots rather than an entire set?

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Mrc32

Call me crazy - but wouldn't these draw higher prices as individual lots rather than an entire set?

Maybe! My experience is that's traditionally been the case, although only a Sith deals in absolutes.

At the same time, there are some AHs that are starting to run tandem auctions, whereby you can bid on them as a complete set, or individually. Whichever fetches the highest price wins. So you could be the highest bidder on an item, but if the complete set draws a higher price, then you still lose.

Somewhat shockingly, from time to time the complete set will win.

[hcv123]

Just discussed with Toby at the East Coast national that these used to show up from time to time, but I hadn't seen any offered publicly in some time! Some of the most incredible cards of the era imo.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Amazing set of course but oddly to me no Wagner, Mathewson, Lajoie, Collins.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Amazing set of course but oddly to me no Wagner, Mathewson, Lajoie, Collins.

Matty, Lajoie and Collins were included in the 1912 BG set and in the 1914 (I think there is some uncrtainty as to this date) sepia BG set, so it makes sense that these three stars weren't also in the 1914 color BG set. Interestingly, WaJo and Speaker are the only two players who appear in both the 1912 BG and 1914 color BG sets. My guess as to the reason for Wags' absence in all three BG sets is because the issuer declined to pay Wags for the use of his image.

[Hankphenom]

What's your guess, fellas?

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by Mrc32

Call me crazy - but wouldn't these draw higher prices as individual lots rather than an entire set?

150%. I would not sell these cards as both a set and individual cards. It could potentially limit the degree of bidding intensity for the major cards like Jackson, Cobb, Johnson & Speaker. As a collector (and bidder), it is extremely frustrating bidding strong on a particular item, knowing full well I might be wasting my time since the card may ultimately sell as a piece of the entire set. That said, I do believe the individual lot aggregate will best the full set price - happens 90%+ of the time when an auction house pits individual lots vs. the complete set.

[Vintageclout]

In the grand scheme, grades do not matter versus the extreme rarity of these Garters. The beautiful aesthetics and right to own a copy for such iconic cards supersedes any technical assessment. As the saying goes - try and find another one!