Quote:
Originally Posted by RGold
I bowed out of the bidding on the 52 Topps Mantle SGC 80 when it crossed $30,000. I kept thinking about the Psa 7 one that I sold for $14,000 over 10 years ago which makes it hard for me to cough up over 40 grand for a grade lower now.
On the other hand, someone out there paid over $35,000 for a PSA 4.5 a few months back. 
I also bid on the lot of 36 1933 Goudey Proofs. I thought under $5,000 was a reasonable deal but I only really wanted the two Pepper Martin cards, and did not feel like having to sell off 34 others.
I always enjoy REA, but usually Heritage is where I find more of the cards I am interested in for my collection which is heavy 1930's.
Congrats to all the winners.  |
Ten year old prices can sure be fun to look at. When it comes to 2014 prices, though, they really aren't too helpful. I suppose bread was much cheaper ten years ago than it is today; if I refuse to buy bread today though, I might wind up starving
I was the winner of that Mantle you referenced. For me, it's really not about the sticker grade with certain cards; I believe that with some cards you can throw the numerical grade out the window; I believe that rarity in terms of eye appeal completely trumps technical assessments based on arbitrarily written grading guidelines.
I can see how viewing pricing through the prism of grades and VCP grids can make one wonder how a card with a lower grade can command far more than a higher grade. The key to processing those seemingly anomalous data points is to put focus on the cards themselves and not the holders and grades. With 1952 Mantles, a study of all past sales bears out that perfect centering and a clean blue background is much rarer than a corner that merits a grade of 6 or 7. And if one is seeking such a centered and clean-surfaced example, precious few come up for sale-- hence the competition for it and the price.
The REA example was quite nice; exhibits the usual tilt but very bright and clean in other respects. I trust the owner is very happy
