1969 Topps Charlie Smith Signed

[captainfitz]

I've been flipping through signed cards from a large collection I purchased. And came across a '69 Topps Charlie Smith. The only sales I see from the last 3 years for this card signed went for $125(Jan. 2025), $98 (Apr 2024), and $250 (Nov. 2022). That seems awfully high considering most of his signed cards can be had for much less than that ($10-$50). Even more interesting was that the $125 and $250 one were raw with no authentication.

I understand that it was his final year card, it was his only card with the Cubs, and that he died relatively young (in 1994 at age 57), but that still seems like a large gap between this and earlier years. Am I missing something?

[egri]

I’m not too familiar with the particulars of the 1969 Topps set, but in general, if that card was a high number, if he was a tough/unwilling signer in his later years, if the set or his team are particularly popular among collectors (I believe the 1969 Cubs have a bit of a cult following) those could all drive the price higher. Or even just two guys saw the card and had to have it.

[captainfitz]

Originally Posted by egri

I’m not too familiar with the particulars of the 1969 Topps set, but in general, if that card was a high number, if he was a tough/unwilling signer in his later years, if the set or his team are particularly popular among collectors (I believe the 1969 Cubs have a bit of a cult following) those could all drive the price higher. Or even just two guys saw the card and had to have it.

Thanks, Scott. Yea, it's #538 so I don't think that was part of the last series. Maybe those '69 Cubs fans are the answer. Regardless, I appreciate the response!

[darkhorse9]

Any Charlie Smith Cubs signed item is tough to come by.
I have a full collection of signed 8x10 pictures of almost every single player from the 1969 Cubs team. There were 41 players that year. I am missing six players with an 8x10 signed in a Cubs uniform. Charlie Smith is one of them.

[captainfitz]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

Any Charlie Smith Cubs signed item is tough to come by.
I have a full collection of signed 8x10 pictures of almost every single player from the 1969 Cubs team. There were 41 players that year. I am missing six players with an 8x10 signed in a Cubs uniform. Charlie Smith is one of them.

Ah, that sounds like the likely reason for the higher value. Thanks, Mark. What other signed 8x10s from those Cubs are you missing. I can see if I've got any of them.

[darkhorse9]

Originally Posted by captainfitz

Ah, that sounds like the likely reason for the higher value. Thanks, Mark. What other signed 8x10s from those Cubs are you missing. I can see if I've got any of them.

Besides Charlie

Dick Selma
Joe Decker
Hank Aguirre
Randy Bobb

I'm only looking for them in Cubs uniforms. I can find Selma as a Phillie, but never as a Cub.

[captainfitz]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

Besides Charlie

Dick Selma
Joe Decker
Hank Aguirre
Randy Bobb

I'm only looking for them in Cubs uniforms. I can find Selma as a Phillie, but never as a Cub.

I'll take a look when I get home. You're only looking for 8x10s photos (and only in a Cubs uniform), right?

[darkhorse9]

Correct