Strip card question

[Leon]

I never really understand the thought of paying a lot for a high grade strip card but to each his own. I don't think strips get the credit they deserve as some are really neat. As far as some going high I would imagine if it were high grade ones then some of the registry guys could be fighting for them. Memory Lane has a very good following of registry set folks. I have bid and won several items in their auctions and have never had any reason, from those winnings or elsewhere, to think there were anything but legitimate bids being placed. I bid with them without reservation. IF you paid a lot, or a little, then that is how the bidding went. I overpay for stuff all of the time. Here is one I overpaid for in a Huggins and Scott auction.

[Exhibitman]

Leon, I don't think you can really 'overpay' for a Wool's back. Just too darn scarce to figure a 'market price' to use as a reference. Nice pick!

[glchen]

I sell a few strip cards, and most do get the Authentic tag. However, there is still a premium for strip cards with nice borders (the fuller the better) even if they don't meet the minimum size requirements to get a number grade.

[GrayGhost]

Good discussion guys, my main point was that not long ago, you could go to a show, and get a strip card for single digit money, in relatively good shape. Seemingly, in comparison, things went way up proportionately in value to not long ago.

Far as the "A" grade, is it really necessary to get em slabbed, unless you love e'thing slabbed? Just curious. Have they been heavily reprinted?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GrayGhost

Good discussion guys, my main point was that not long ago, you could go to a show, and get a strip card for single digit money, in relatively good shape. Seemingly, in comparison, things went way up proportionately in value to not long ago.

Far as the "A" grade, is it really necessary to get em slabbed, unless you love e'thing slabbed? Just curious. Have they been heavily reprinted?

They have been reprinted quite a bit, but to me, getting them slabbed is a bit over the top. I am not sure if I have ever had one slabbed....and if I ever did it would probably have only been a high end one. I might consider getting these (below) slabbed some day in order to protect them. Also, since we aren't quite positive what they are I am not sure if I want them labeled as W cards.

On the valuation note, yes, some of the strips have really gone up in price...

[Exhibitman]

I've had a few slabbed.



They still represent a strong budget option for prewar collecting, especially if you are OK with some technical flaws. And there are a wide variety of difficulty levels from the easiest common cards to the very difficult, barely catalogued issues like the ones Leon showed above or these:

[glchen]

Ruth strip cards have numerous reprints as I have found: Link

Leon, what set(s) is that Thorpe and Mathewson cards from? Those are nice! I've never seen those before.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by glchen

Leon, what set(s) is that Thorpe and Mathewson cards from? Those are nice! I've never seen those before.

They are classified as 1915 W-Unc, but they are one of the few remaining mysteries in the hobby. Lew Lipset doesn't believe they were strip cards and were some kind of candy cards. Maybe some day we will know for sure. Three of those shown are uniquely known today.