Has anyone seen these new Helmar cards?

[D. Bergin]

I've liked a lot of the Helmar product that has come out the last 10 years or so, especially that series of larger silks they put out.

I guess the realized prices are no stranger then the prices of Stephen Strasburg and Brian Heyward cards that have come out the past year or so.

Manufactured rarity is manufactured rarity.........whether it's a Helmar Ty Cobb or a SuperDuperTitaniumChromeRefractor Strasburg.

[D. Bergin]

Well, I guess we now know where that Cap Anson Bowling Lane lock came from:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Helmar-lg-brass-...item1c1648a883

[smtjoy]

I have purchased a couple, I just liked the art work and though they would look cool in my collection. I see it as no different than buying a painting I like.

[FrankWakefield]

I've bid on a few, 'cause I like the look, as above. I've yet to win one. Prices do seem high for some of them. Which might be why I've not won one yet.

I did put together a set of their T206-sized first year cards.

[tbob]

Do the "Helmar" people distress the cards to make them look old or is it the sellers on ebay who are busy doing the distressing?

[iggyman]

The distressing is done by Helmar. It seems like they have picked up some great distressing pointers on this board. Obviously, they are big Net54 baseball.com fans.

Lovely Day...

[53Browns]

Here's my problem with these cards. I lump them into the same category as reprints that don't say "reprint" on the back. Even though these cards boast new artwork, when they "distress" them to look aged, they could fool a novice. Someone could really get screwed on these, and I'm sure someone will. They need to clearly list a date manufactured on the back. I havent seen any on the backs I've viewed. They may look cool, but to me, they're Charmin.

[Matt]

Are these hand painted originals, or prints?

[quinnsryche]

I talked briefly with the artist (nice guy by the way), he said he makes the cards one at a time on some sort of schedule, the cards will be produced in numbers not more than 6 per year (I think). They are actual cards that you can see on the Helmar site and he makes them look old. I don't know if he works for Helmar or not, but he also sells the original artwork on ebay for the cards. They sure look cool but damn, that's an awful lot of money for a "fantasy" card when you could get a pile of original Goudeys in that condition for the same price! To each his own.

[D. Bergin]

I don't think it's any stranger then Strasburg's selling for thousands. These are much neater to me. Not that I'll be driving up any of the bids, but I can understand why some player collectors may be bidding them up.

I'm just waiting for a chuckle the first time I see somebody "distressed" about the PSA or SGC grade they received on one of these cards.

[jimm]

I look at them more like a limited print you might buy today, just card size. Very nice art.