The Rosen '52 find

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by tjisonline

I don’t buy the Berger’s 52 Topps river dumping story. More like CCC (had Topps connections) bought the leftover 52 inventory (including uncut sheets), had them cut, & sold what they were able to over the next 10-15 years. Then their 1975 fire warehouse fire wiped out some real treasures including their hoard of 71 Greatest Moments test cards.

According to lore, rumors, etc… going back to the 1980s (when I collected as a kid), word had it Rosen & others came across uncut & large bordered 52 Topps 5th & 6th series sheets. Had them cut from sheets / trimmed & sold them. In my opinion, this is likely were many of today’s high grade 52 Topps 5th & 6th series originated from.

Please note everything typed in this post is my opinion & pure speculation .

https://www.thetoppsarchives.com/202...btful.html?m=1

http://www.thetoppsarchives.com/2020...money.html?m=0

I'm with you there. I'm not buying the river dump story either

[Balticfox]

Neither does Toppcat.

[Exhibitman]

My $0.02 on Rosen:

https://open.substack.com/pub/adamst...utm_medium=web

[GasHouseGang]

That was a great summary and analysis of Rosen and his business. I saw him in operation a few times, and he just seemed like a big showman. But I guess it worked for him, and he was so well known that he did bring some nice cards into the hobby that may have never been discovered otherwise.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

My $0.02 on Rosen:

Nicely done, Adam. I knew several of his assistants, and I could never figure how they could stand being around the guy. They would just roll their eyes and tell me that he would throw them some smaller deals during the course of a show, which made it worthwhile for them, I suppose.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I enjoyed your account, Adam. Very well written.

I worked several shows where Rosen was set up. We never interacted even when passing each other. All I remember is a lot of noise when he was "on", and when he was "off", he seemed to tune out anyone and anything.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

My $0.02 on Rosen:

https://open.substack.com/pub/adamst...utm_medium=web

Adam, wonderful write up! Reminded me of the many times I saw Rosen perform at card shows back in the 1990's

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Snowman

I'm with you there. I'm not buying the river dump story either

Its the biggest fishing story I have ever heard. All the more they pump up the 52s highs.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Its the biggest fishing story I have ever heard. All the more they pump up the 52s highs.

The pop counts/scarcity is what makes the high numbers valuable though, not stories about why the pop counts are lower. The market doesn't care about why, it only cares about how many.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Snowman

The pop counts/scarcity is what makes the high numbers valuable though, not stories about why the pop counts are lower. The market doesn't care about why, it only cares about how many.

But you're arguing that perception of reality isn't a crucial determinant of pricing. But it is. Prices move and move dramatically in response to changes in perception.

[GrayGhost]

Alan used to buy quite a lot from a local legend collector and dealer I was friends with. Always treated him well
One time I was setup at the old Cranston RI show when it was in Warwick.

I had an older 50s personalized Mantle ball I had picked up at a paper show. . I was confident but as a customer was looking, he walked by and randomly blurted out " nice old Mick".Helped me sell the ball for 100.00. . I only paid 50 at least

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Its the biggest fishing story I have ever heard. All the more they pump up the 52s highs.

The pop counts/scarcity is what makes the high numbers valuable though, not stories about why the pop counts are lower. The market doesn't care about why, it only cares about how many.