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[Wesley]

Originally Posted by brian1961

I shall now make it longer.

Remember, I said I would include a prewar example. I respect Leon's wishes, and want to keep you all happy. Let's bring it down to your favorite time frame. OK, so low and behold someone turns up an EXCELLENT-TO- MINT 1910 Washington Times Ty Cobb. Virtually perfect, with only just enough corner wear to render it "only a SGC 80/PSA 6". I mean, the deep crimson borders are rich and undisturbed. Ty Cobb's portrait with that quintessential glare and fire in his eyes visage is overwhelmingly attractive and most desirable. Few collect the set. Just like collecting the Stahl-Meyer Franks. I don't care about the set---I love Mickey Mantle and Roy Campanella. Same here, if you put such a brilliant piece in an All-State Display case displaying a portfolio of Ty's best-looking, most artistically-designed pieces----there would be the T-3, there would be all 4 T-206s, there would be one of the Cracker Jack, the T-205, the '33 Goudey Sport King, several of those fantastic postcards (The Rose Company, etc.), a Colgan's Chip, and maybe if you are daring, a Conlon color card that was well-done of him stealing third into Jimmy Austin. But believe you me, the piece that the Cobb connoisseurs would be drooling over (keep the door of it closed, just in case) would be that 1910 Washington Times--for its eye appeal, its scarcity, its 1 of 1 rarity, and the fact it would be a fantastic conversation piece. You might even enjoy watching your rivals go white as a sheet at its sight--bitten clean through their windpipe. That would be a nice example of a North Pole six-figure card. A piece de resistance Ty Cobb. Just wish someone would turn one up.

Before I got to the end of this paragraph, I thought perhaps you knew of the existence of a EX-MT Washington Time Ty Cobb card. But it appears you were using that only as a hypotethetical to illustrate your point.

For a card like the Washington Times Ty Cobb, in which only 2 or 3 exist, it would make hardly a difference to me whether it were graded SGC 2 or SGC 6. I might pay a small premium for the better condition example, but not a large one.

[Leon]

First of all besides Joann I am not sure we have a better writer on the board than Brian. (But I already knew that.) Nice story Brian...and it's ok to OT a little to the 1950's on the main board, every once in a while. So far you are still the only collector that has sang a jingle to me on the phone to create realism with what you wrote. Once again, fantastic job!!

Now to the question. I will pay a premium for cards I don't think I will see again, or if I do, it will be many years. As a rarity collector and type card collector there are some things I just have to have. It was funny in the other thread about what to buy for long term value. My good friend Dan D (and thanks again for the 1916 Big Head yesterday) joked with me about paying a lot for the E100 printers scraps? I have. Funny thing is that the first one I got my snipe was literally 4x my winning bid, and then I lowered it to, what became 3x the winning bid, as I figured I didn't want to go quite that high. The 2nd one I won (really, when will we see another?) was only 2x the winning bid. As I look through my collection and notice the staggering high prices I have paid it becomes evident I am just another card junkie having fun.....and spending a bit too much (for my own liking) as I do it. best regards

For than a quarter of a century, the focus of our collection has been on securing ultra-high quality rare type cards. We have more than a dozen examples of the highest graded (SGC or PSA) example in a particular set.

We believe it is far more important that each example in our collection is of the highest quality (best condition). Accordingly, we expect to pay for rarity.

What we will not do, is pay a large premium for a HOF. We are type collectors, not player collectors. In most cases (we have more than 250 different type cards from 1869-1954), the player is not important.

As Ralph Lauren said "quality never goes out of style." We expect it, we demand it and we will pay for it

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

[Epps]

Good story Brian.
I would overpay for any of the elusive Black Sox cards that seem impossible to find in any condition.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Yankeefan51

For than a quarter of a century, the focus of our collection has been on securing ultra-high quality rare type cards. We have more than a dozen examples of the highest graded (SGC or PSA) example in a particular set.

We believe it is far more important that each example in our collection is of the highest quality (best condition). Accordingly, we expect to pay for rarity.

What we will not do, is pay a large premium for a HOF. We are type collectors, not player collectors. In most cases (we have more than 250 different type cards from 1869-1954), the player is not important.

As Ralph Lauren said "quality never goes out of style." We expect it, we demand it and we will pay for it

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

So Bruce....I have a legitimate question and hope you will answer it. Do you collect type cards, that you might not see again for many, many years, if the condition is lower than your preference? Personally, I collect the cards without too much emphasis on condition (of course I like nicer condition when circumstances permit) and I do collect HOF'ers when I can.....But, as on this card, when is the next time I will see one for sale?

[Epps]

Found one. Cool card.

Leon

95% of our type cards are PSA 7 or better

In a few cases, we have PSA (or SGC) 5's and 6's

We would consider lower grade cards on a case by case basis.

We actually owned a Gilmartin card about 8 years- it was not graded
but our guess is that it would have graded a 5.

Hope all is well


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

[brian1961]

For a card like the Washington Times Ty Cobb, in which only 2 or 3 exist, it would make hardly a difference to me whether it were graded SGC 2 or SGC 6. I might pay a small premium for the better condition example, but not a large one.[/QUOTE]

Well, Wesley, I know I picked a tough nut to crack with the Cobb. You are logically sound in the respect that since there are only 2-3 that exist, it would hardly make any difference to you which one you might have.

However, your tight clenching of your coin purse tells me that if a better condition example be set before you, you would actually have the temerity to think you could bag it for a few pennies more. Or, perhaps you were simply stating that a better condition card means nothing to you, but you would force yourself to part with a couple more dimes, and the seller should thank you for that.

Wesley, if only sellers were that big of chumps; hey, you and I would have ourselves a whale of a collection. Maybe you could get in the face of the gentleman who purchased the T-206 Honus Wagner in PSA8 and tell him he really blew it. Why, he should have just been content with a smashed poor 1; they only cost $317,000. With your buying philosophy, he should have just offered, say $325,000, for the better condition one that everybody and their jealous uncle says is trimmed and expect the seller and SCP Auctions that brokered the individual sale to come bring him that gem right here and now in their limo.

I mean, if you could talk him into it, I would stand behind you and marvel. I would pound you on the back. Then again, Ken Kendrick is a General Partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He might have several bags of loose team mascots for people that enrage him. Hey Wes, if he starts throwin' those rattlesnakes, man, I'm out of here. But go ahead and try. Prices on great stuff would go down just like that if Ken caved in to your chop suey hooey line of thinking.

In the mean time buddy, let's hoist one to each other and enjoy that beautiful picture of the actual 1910 Washington Times Ty Cobb card in the Mastro Auctions catalog from a few years ago; you know, the one and only time they offered one from 1995 to 2008. At least we can enjoy THAT.

In all sincerity, though I have been sincere here all the way, if that is how you wish to collect, it is your money and you do as you wish. It is still a free country; well, sorta. Take care, collecting mate. -Brian Powell

[tbob]

I have paid a premium for tough and scarce cards to complete sets; otherwise, I look for bargains like most of us do.