High Grade Ruth Rookie

[D. Bergin]

Bonhams is probably bigger and older then all the previously mentioned auction houses combined.

That’s not an endorsement, rather an explanation of how they may have come across a piece like this. Maybe a collector or consortium they also handled a number of cars and/or pieces of high end art for.

[irv]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Bonhams is probably bigger and older then all the previously mentioned auction houses combined.

That’s not an endorsement, rather an explanation of how they may have come across a piece like this. Maybe a collector or consortium they also handled a number of cars and/or pieces of high end art for.

Did not know that, Dave.
Thanks for letting me know.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by irv

Did not know that, Dave.
Thanks for letting me know.

Like most high end art houses, I believe they’ve also courted their fair share of controversy through the years also.

Not my world, but watched enough documentaries about art scams to pick them out of a line-up.

[irv]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Like most high end art houses, I believe they’ve also courted their fair share of controversy through the years also.

Not my world, but watched enough documentaries about art scams to pick them out of a line-up.

Hmm, interesting.

[rjackson44]

Dave 100 pct correct great auction house big history

[Svabinsky78]

Interesting, I have always associate Bonham's with fine art. They are an old British auction house, a big player in the art, furniture scene, a la Phillips, Christie's, Sotheby's. Looking online, I guess they do have a sports collectibles division.

[D. Bergin]

Sports division or not, if you’re an art and antique house and somebody offers you a Million$ plus item and you have a 28% vig, you’re not going to say no, bring it to those guys down the street. You’re going to figure out how to sell it.

In the end, they’re all just “Antiquities”.

[oldjudge]

I may have missed it but I did not see sports collectibles as one of their auction specialties. If that is the case, for an item like this which is a very expensive piece, I would expect to see more advertising. That said, they are a big well established house and they no doubt know what they are doing.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I may have missed it but I did not see sports collectibles as one of their auction specialties. If that is the case, for an item like this which is a very expensive piece, I would expect to see more advertising. That said, they are a big well established house and they no doubt know what they are doing.

Um...they have been around since the 1800s, I believe. Not sure how much or if any advertising they do but clearly whatever they are doing, they do not need to change a thing.

[nolemmings]

FWIW, I saw the card promoted in Sports Collectors Daily back at the end of March, so they made some effort to get the word out. I am a little curious as to why the family has only the Ruth card, since grandpa obviously had at least 19 other subjects if not more, and if he/they got rid of others over the years you would think they would be a little more familiar with the market when choosing an auction house.

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

Um...they have been around since the 1800s, I believe. Not sure how much or if any advertising they do but clearly whatever they are doing, they do not need to change a thing.

I respectfully have to disagree. Having potential bidders on a 6-7 figure item unaware of your auction leaves room for improvement.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I respectfully have to disagree. Having potential bidders on a 6-7 figure item unaware of your auction is not in my mind doing things the right way.

+1. It's Nonsense to not advertise in the areas it will get the most interest. Without your post Jay, hundreds, if not thousands of collectors, wouldn't have had any idea, me included. (not that I can afford that card but still...)

.

[oldjudge]

Chase-I'm not disputing that Bonhams is a great auction house. I'm only saying that I believe that in this case more publicity would help the card achieve the best possible realization.

[MVSNYC]

Jay, good point...this is par for the course with Auction Houses (even some big ones) that aren't focused on sports...like Christie's and Sotheby's. They have, over the years, had some incredibly significant sports auctions and high-profile items, and they seem to happen under the radar, or certainly not well advertised here.