FS: R306 Butter Creams, nice group of 13

[Rob D.]

Thanks to some recent upgrading to my master set, I have for sale a substantial group of nice R306 Butter Creams. For sale are 13 different from this issue, which is 43 percent of the 30-card set (45 percent if you take the near-impossible Ruth out of the equation). I call this group "substantial" because Butter Creams are fairly scarce. Yet they're not so tough that you'll go nine months or a year without crossing one off of your want list. If you're looking to collect a set that you can complete in two months, Butter Creams aren't for you. And if you want to collect a set so rare that you'll find a card once every five years, they're also not for you. I really enjoyed putting together a 29-card set because it was a thrill finding one I needed because they are a challenge, yet I didn't go so long between cards that I got frustrated. For me, it was a perfect mix.

I first priced these cards as if I were going to sell them individually. I went the conservative route and came up with a total of $2,485. I obviously would prefer to sell these as a group, so I'll discount the price and deliver it for $2,200, which is a firm price. Each card is graded (and because they're a black-and-white issue, they look great in SGC holders, by the way).

There are plenty of highlights, including an impressive six Hall of Famers. One of these is Paul Waner, which was one of the last cards I crossed off my list when compiling my set -- it's a tough one. There also are two cards, Ruel and Rommel, with the harder September backs (Butter Cream cards were meant to be submitted as contest entries and are found with two different backs. The ones that refer to a Sept. 1st deadline -- as opposed to Oct. 1 -- are significantly harder to find). There's also one card -- Hall of Famer Al Simmons -- that was part of the Lionel Carter collection as is identified as such on the flip.

A note on the two cards graded "authentic": I crossed the Rommel at last year's National. It was in a PSA 4 holder, and SGC deemed it trimmed. I've handled enough Butter Creams to know there are significant variations in card sizes, and this one qualifies as such. I question the decision that the card is trimmed, for what that's worth. The other "A" card, Cochrane, just came back from SGC. There is writing on the back of the card, but why it got an A grade, I simply can't explain.

Finally, PSA's grade of a 6 for Glen Wright should be considered fairly high grade for this issue. Full disclosure: When submitted for a crossover, SGC said the card is trimmed. Again, I don't see it, because the size is correct, and when I examine it with a loupe, I see no evidence of trimming. Welcome to the world of professional grading.

If you consult Vintage Card Prices and look up recorded sale prices of Butter Creams, then do the math on the price-per-card of this lot -- especially when factoring in the six Hall of Famers -- I think you'll agree the delivered price is more than fair.

Feel free to e-mail or PM any questions or if you'd like scans of the backs. Looking forward to seeing this nice group go to a good home.

Thanks, Rob

The list:

• Bill Terry, SGC 20, HOFer
• Earl Averill, SGC 20, HOFer
• Gabby Hartnett, SGC 20, HOFer
• Gordon Cochrane, SGC A, HOFer
• Paul Waner, SGC 10, HOFer
• Al Simmons, SGC 10 (Lionel Carter), HOFer
• Wesley Ferrell, SGC 10
• Charles Root, SGC 10
• Ed Brandt, SGC 20
• Muddy Ruel, SGC 30 (September back)
• Charles Gelbert, SGC 30 (cool miscut)
• Ed Rommel, SGC A (September back)
• Glen Wright, PSA 6

[Rob D.]

Bump