major auction houses a lesson to be learned

[Peter_Spaeth]

You guys suggesting this might have been over the top? NOT.

In the year of the '34 Goudey issue, Dizzy Dean led his "Gashouse Gang" of rough and tough (and dirty) Cardinals to a World Series victory over the Detroit Tigers. Despite a probable concussion suffered in Game 4, he returned to pitch in Games 5 and 7, buoying the hopes of untold fans in all parts of the depression-ravaged country. For his efforts that season (30-7 with a 2.66 ERA), Dean won the MVP award in addition to his World Series ring, hence the popularity of the offered 1934 Goudey card, but the effect he had on fans was infinitely more significant than we could ever imagine today. At the time, the St. Louis club was the southernmost and westernmost club in the major leagues and quickly attracted the adoration of fans from across the plains and down both seaboards. In the midst of the Great Depression, untold numbers of fans identified with the spirit of the team. They weren't always the best, but they hustled and they worked hard; they persevered through the tough times, took pay cuts, and rarely washed their uniforms. They were the antithesis of the slick and rich NY Giants. They were "America's Team," and Diz' their ice-cool ace. His swagger and bravado was second to none. "It ain't braggin' if ya can back it up" was one of his favorite lines, and boy did he mean it... Like the time he bet he could strike out Vince DiMaggio four times in one game. After three strike-outs, DiMaggio hit a pop foul to the catcher, who let it drop on orders from Dean, who gassed the next pitch past an embarrassed DiMaggio and won the bet. Such stories about the famous "Gashouse Gang" abound in MLB lore, but as the generations pass, so, too, does our collective appreciation for players like Dizzy Dean. Of course, a strong bid on the offered Goudey Gum card relic from Dean's MVP season can help to revitalize that appreciation, but don't base your decision strictly on sentimentality. The offered 1934 Goudey example of Dizzy Dean is among the finest we've ever offered. MINT corners at all points but the marginally NM/MT bottom right join sensationally MINT or better edges around a strong MINT obverse with no prominent print imperfections whatsoever to merit just the fourth grade of NM/MT 8 by SGC from 75 submissions. Truly stunning!

[Kehfee]

Have to admit the post war sets I work on saw some insane prices in this auction. Good for the consignors I suppose.

[Peter_Spaeth]

The presented 1940 Play Ball example of Ted Williams has been extremely conservatively graded NM/MT 8 by the increasingly demanding graders at PSA. Never before have we ever offered a PSA 8 example of any card from any set with such an obvious abundance of decidedly above-grade features. Well-formed NM/MT+ bottom corners bow to superior MINT+ to GEM MINT top points between indubitably undeviating MINT edges around a sensationally MINT surface that displays a characteristically granular appearance completely devoid of any significantly extraneous print that wouldn't be tolerated on a MINT and perhaps even GEM MINT example. The contrast, that is, the relative difference between the lighter and darker areas of the image, is as strong as the sepia-toned print of the '40 Play Ball issue permits, while the thin lines encompassing Teddy's classic pose, as well as the nostalgic baseball-themed design girding the immaculate nameplate at bottom, show no breaks or skips, as they often do, and boast such tremendous saturation that they in fact appear black to the naked eye. The reverse text is equally as impressive, with noticeably bold registration and no perceivable fading or other common inadequacies indicative of the conservatively opined evaluation. Process of elimination brings us back to the front surface in search of a marginal deficiency responsible for the grade, but I still see no apparent faults, even with a 15x loop, that would exclude this pack-fresh blazer not just from a NM/MT+ 8.5 grade, but from a comfortable and clearly convincing fit in a MINT 9 holder. Is it the top-to-bottom centering? Is it not at least 35/65, the stipulated minimum tolerance for MINT 9? Or am I simply losing my mind after writing too many descriptions today? No, yes, and... probably! But, seriously, friends, any which way you inspect and admire this stimulating 1940 Play Ball example of "The Kid," its admirable condition can be summed up with one simple term, never before so appropriate and true: HIGH END! No, check that. This prized pasteboard is EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH END!

[Anthony S.]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

....extremely conservatively graded NM/MT 8 by the increasingly demanding graders at PSA.....

He said adverbly....

[calvindog]

Peter, I don't know what in the hell just happened but I read the above verbiage you posted and started feeling a bit dizzy. Next thing I know I'm on the ground with a bump on my head -- and my wallet was gone!

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Peter, I don't know what in the hell just happened but I read the above verbiage you posted and started feeling a bit dizzy. Next thing I know I'm on the ground with a bump on my head -- and my wallet was gone!

I felt safe reading the whole thing because my wallet is already empty.

[tothrk]

The reason the catalogs and descriptions go on forever is to give you something to read as the auction drags out until 5 in the morning.

[Rich Klein]

Most cards don't require much more than a few lines.

One paragraph on the background of the player

One paragraph on the card's grade and if needed; an explanation of the importance of said condition.

NOW; there are memorabilia pieces which require more detail as to explain WHY the piece exists may take a few paragraphs.

Thus; for the average collector on this board; card descriptions are too long and mem descriptions need more detail.

But we also have to remember; that not every collector knows what we DO about these cards.

Rich

[Exhibitman]

I agree with Rich's final observation. I like longer and more detailed descriptions on some of the rarer cards and sets about which I know little more than their catalog designation. I also don't mind well-written, well-researched information on a player, especially if the information offered is something obscure. REA writes very long descriptions on some of their lots and I appreciate the information. As far as negatives, I especially would like to see less of the "this is so great for its grade" hype and more detailed explanation of the actual condition--like telling me which corner is weak, which I might not see in a scan. I can also do without the goofy synonyms, similes and metaphors. I feel like Leonard Pinth-Garnell when I read some of them: Welcome to Bad Auction Writing.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Most cards don't require much more than a few lines.

One paragraph on the background of the player

One paragraph on the card's grade and if needed; an explanation of the importance of said condition.

NOW; there are memorabilia pieces which require more detail as to explain WHY the piece exists may take a few paragraphs.

Thus; for the average collector on this board; card descriptions are too long and mem descriptions need more detail.

But we also have to remember; that not every collector knows what we DO about these cards.

Rich

The more familiar or educated a person is with an issue - the more boring the wordy "fluffed" description will likely be. I am sure the houses are adding some "newbie" bidders in each auction who I am sure have the potential to be significantly swayed with an "exciting" albeit often inflated (imo) description. This Leads to more revenue for the auction house and higher prices for the consignors. I guess the upside for the established/knowledgeable collector is more people entering the collecting world and come time for us or our heirs to sell off our collection hopefully leads to greater fruits for our efforts.

[drc]

The problem is when you have to read 1,000 words before you first learn what is being sold. I once half-jokingly said an auction house should underline the first line of the object description, so those of us who wanted could skip the novella.