Old Cardboard and Legendary

[Rich Klein]

My impressions:

1) Another solid Old Cardboard magazine; like usual.

2) Is Legendary back on stride as an auction house.
Reading their catalog whilst eating lunch today, it did appear that this was the strongest non-live Legendary auction.

Also looking at the last items in their catalog; it appears that instead of running a seperate "collector" auction; they have folded in the collector auction with the $100 minimums to their regular auctions.

Editorial Note: I DO NOT have any items in the Legendary auction.

Regards
Rich

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

2) Is Legendary back on stride as an auction house.
Reading their catalog whilst eating lunch today, it did appear that this was the strongest non-line Legendary auction.

As was noted earlier, it seems they got in one or two old-time collections where the consignor probably wasn't aware of the ongoing issues when they consigned. I don't think this latest auction is any indication that they're "back on stride."

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Matt

As was noted earlier, it seems they got in one or two old-time collections where the consignor probably wasn't aware of the ongoing issues when they consigned. I don't think this latest auction is any indication that they're "back on stride."

I do. I got the catalog yesterday and my thoughts were along the lines of "obviously the consignors aren't worried about Legendary". This is a really impressive auction...especially for early Cubs memorabilia collectors.

On a side note the empty Topps/Bowman/fleer boxes minimum bids are a bit shocking to me as I remember these types of items used to be just lotted up in the big auctions.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I do. I got the catalog yesterday and my thoughts were along the lines of "obviously the consignors aren't worried about Legendary". This is a really impressive auction...especially for early Cubs memorabilia collectors.

It would appear that the great bulk if not all of the early Cub stuff is owned by Doug and/or Mastro employees. Of course that leaves open the question as to whether or not these consignors are worried about Legendary.

[alanu]

Did Mastro ever get all caught up with their consignors? Not trying to stir things up, just don't know the latest.

[tedzan]

For whatever it is worth....here are my 2 Drachmas regarding Legendary......

My booth at the Valley Forge Philly Show is adjacent to Legendary's booth. I have known Ron Oser since 1981.
I have known Mark Theotikis since the late '80s. These 2 guys are fine people. After all is said and done, over
the years in this hobby, it's the human element that matters more than any piece (or collection) of cardboard.

I was really impressed back in March with Legendary's tremendous T205/T206 DRUM find (51 cards). As I star-
ted setting up at the Sept. Philly Show, Ron Oser called over to me to check-out their latest find.

I replied...."Ah, come on Ron, you can't top your DRUM find ?"

Ron responded...."You want to bet on it, Ted ?"

I suspended my set-up and looked over Legendary's table....and, I was blown away when I saw their T208 set.
As a grown-up, I have been in this hobby since the 1970's and I have never seen a complete 18-card Cullivan's
Fireside set.

How about it guys, let's give Legendary a chance. Certainly, their latest Auction material looks pretty darn good.


TED Z

[bijoem]

It is a pretty impressive auction. Lots of cool stuff.


Although I could be mistaken -
I believe the people I know who consigned to Mastro eventually did get paid.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by calvindog

It would appear that the great bulk if not all of the early Cub stuff is owned by Doug and/or Mastro employees. Of course that leaves open the question as to whether or not these consignors are worried about Legendary.

I figured the Cubs stuff was probably from one collector, but what makes it "appear" to be all from Mastro employees?

[Matt]

There is a disclosure on page 7 of the Mastro-owned lots - too many to type in here.

Lots 590-685 are ALL Mastro owned.

[calvindog]

I don't have the catalog in front of me but I recall that the list of items owned by Mastro insiders included most if not all of the early Cub stuff.

Edited to add: Matt nailed it.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Matt

As was noted earlier, it seems they got in one or two old-time collections where the consignor probably wasn't aware of the ongoing issues when they consigned. I don't think this latest auction is any indication that they're "back on stride."

Did "Mastro" ever get around to paying their consignors? I haven't noticed any updates lately.

[dstudeba]

Originally Posted by Matt

As was noted earlier, it seems they got in one or two old-time collections where the consignor probably wasn't aware of the ongoing issues when they consigned. I don't think this latest auction is any indication that they're "back on stride."

The old time collector was your conjecture if I recall correctly and not a general consensus. I believe that many of the high quality cards come from a person who is up to date on the goings on in the hobby including the Mastro problem.

However I could be wrong.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by dstudeba

The old time collector was your conjecture if I recall correctly and not a general consensus. I believe that many of the high quality cards come from a person who is up to date on the goings on in the hobby including the Mastro problem.

However I could be wrong.

I suppose it doesn't matter for the greater point; the key is that most of the quality material is either from Mastro employees or this one particular collector who apparently doesn't care about all the issues consignors have had. I don't think that is sustainable to the point where we can say they are back.

[Rich Klein]

Even if you had to put some of your "own" material into the auction; showing that you can get the Lou Brock collection (right after the Bob Gibson collection) and the Bill Hoffer collection (that made their debut at the National auction) then there is certainly some forward momentum.

And since perception may be reality; I do think there is a chance that Mastro/Legendary HAD to do something to generate money in April and that the switch was not handled as well as it should have been. And, I don't know this for a fact, but I'd wager if you chatted with Doug Allen privately; he'd tell you the same point.

My only point is that this catalog was a whole lot better than their April catalog AND seemed to have more items of interest and once you get the "stuff" again, you get more "stuff". How many times on this board (and it's not just Mastro/Legendary) that we moan about an auction house (example Ryan C. vs SCP) and then in the last SCP auction, man there were several threads about what people bid on and how happy they were to win the lots.

Regards
Rich

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Even if you had to put some of your "own" material into the auction; showing that you can get the Lou Brock collection (right after the Bob Gibson collection) and the Bill Hoffer collection (that made their debut at the National auction) then there is certainly some forward momentum.

And since perception may be reality; I do think there is a chance that Mastro/Legendary HAD to do something to generate money in April and that the switch was not handled as well as it should have been. And, I don't know this for a fact, but I'd wager if you chatted with Doug Allen privately; he'd tell you the same point.

My only point is that this catalog was a whole lot better than their April catalog AND seemed to have more items of interest and once you get the "stuff" again, you get more "stuff". How many times on this board (and it's not just Mastro) that we moan about an auction house (example Ryan C. vs SCP) and then in the last SCP auction, man there were several threads about what people bid on and how happy they were to win the lots.

Regards
Rich

"Stuff" trumps everything. Always has in this hobby and always will. After all is said and done there is very little reason for these auction houses to change their ways if people still bid.