Being in the Bay Area, I remember Wolffers getting a lot of publicity on the local news outlets. Remember back then the sports market (not just cards) was really growing fast.
It struck me that Wolffers was more flash than cash, as some of the items, as has been stated, didn't seem right, and of course the glossy catalogs were beautiful. It seems the RW wanted to make his company into a Sotheby's / Christies of the sports world, and might have rigged some "record" sale prices for the publicity.
I don't know about the personal details but I think it was pretty well verified that he was trying to run his business somewhat in a ponzi style and was deep in debt.
Likely it was the damaged reputation that caused him to take the plunge more than the financial aspect.
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