The email exchange between the seller and I continues.
 

Here is a bit more information...

Hi Ed, I m an Indians fan who has lived my entire 63 years in Toledo, OH. I m still thinking about how cool it is that I ve been sitting on these cards for almost 50 years never knowing that they were somehow special to anyone else. I hope you re able to get them all.

I made the decision to sell off my collection bit by bit as I have grandkids who don t have any interest in baseball history, or in collecting for that matter. Thus, it doesn t make any sense to just leave the cards to them. They might end up in the trash. Better for someone who truly enjoys them to have their turn to own them. The money I make is going to be used to fly out to Arizona in 3 weeks and see the Indians in spring training. I'm collecting memories now instead of cards.

and finally ...

I forgot to mention this about one of your questions. I discovered a wonderful collectors paper (actually, more of a pamphlet) back in the day called The Trader Speaks which had stories about different baseball card sets by Wirt Gammon and some other writers. It was published in Lake Ronkonkoma, NY by a man whose name I do not remember. He was later bought out by Sports Collectors Digest. TTS also included classified ads and that is how I obtained the cards from Mr. Gammon.

Is there an ebay link to the cards??

Here is a listing for all nine of the cards the gentleman has up for auction. As mentioned, a board member has volunteered to be a bidding partner in all in hopes of getting all nine of the cards back with the others.

Special thanks to him, and to everyone for not bidding against us.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/162402084283...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162402086631...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112309382497...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162402095669...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112309388717...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162402101516...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162402103573...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162402105664...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112309395581...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I love your pursuit of this collection and think it is one of the coolest collecting goals in this hobby, but admittedly, this comment feels icky to me. I hope the gentleman selling these cards is able to make enough money to be able to purchase his flight to AZ and attend a Spring Training game here.

My favourite collection going, good luck Ed!

Sorry, didn't mean to make it sound like I hoped I was the only one bidding, and that Mr. Nicolls wouldn't get the full value of his cards. My intention was that I appreciate that many on the board, even if the card might fit something they are working on (specific brand back set, Southern League sub set) have been kind enough to not bid against me when cards that fit both of our collections come up. I've also tried to post in the past if one comes up, but is way, way out of my league to say go ahead, go for it, because I know I have no chance.

I have snipes in place for the cards, well in excess of what I would consider fair market value. I'm not trying to take money away from the current owner, just expressing thanks to those who might say "Oh, I've always wanted a card of So-and-So, but I'll wait for the next."

Really didn't intend for this to become icky, or seem underhanded. Sorry.

My AZ trip is already paid for; just looking to get some extra $ to defray the credit card bill.

I don't think it came off that way at all, so I wouldn't worry. These cards are special to you, and you just hope that no one artificially inflates the price and keeps you from getting them. Seems reasonable to me. I hope the seller gets market for them and that you get them at market price--the same thing I hope for myself and the sellers when I am buying cards. Good luck!

The only thing icky about this thread is that a grown man used the word icky. Cream puffs....

I love your collection as well Ed, and most of us knew that you weren't suggesting anything shady. Good luck with the purchase!

I know everyone has a hard-on for Ed's collection (I do as well), but any time auction prices are manipulated in any fashion, I don't like it. Hey, the next time anyone sees a Helmar Stamp or rookie card that I need at auction, please don't bid it up because I'm going after it. If I were the one selling these cards and I saw collusion like this I would be a bit ticked. I'm glad the seller seems cool with this (per his previous post).

And I know Ed isn't intentionally doing anything shady, but if even one person on Net54 chooses not to bid (and would have otherwise been the under-bidder), then pricing manipulation has occurred and the seller is out some change. Sorry, no way around it.

Obviously the sheer number of t206 collectors out there will likely make this a moot point and I'm sure market price + a small premium for the stamp will likely result (but not from the bid of a fellow Net54 board member). If this were a more thinly collected (niche) card issue or focus, then I think more would actually agree with me. I seem to recall someone arguing recently that Negro League item prices have come down considerably due to collusion among the Negro League collecting community - "I'll bid on that one and I promise not to bid on that one and we'll both come out ahead". It's a good strategy (for the buyers).

Anyway, just my opinion.