What do you regret passing up?

[birdman42]

There have been a few things over the years that I really should have bought; I had the money, it fit with what I was doing at the time, but for some reason I just didn't jump.

--The G&B Deasley that went off on eBay about 6-7 years ago for about $100. Yes, it was trimmed and skinned, and it had a tack hole, but it was a G&B. Little did I know.

--The other Holland Creameries. I bought one from a dealer at the Chicago National ('98 or '99) and didn't buy the other one he had, because of course now "I had one."

What have you passed up that now you wish you hadn't?

Bill

[deadballpaul]

An SGC10 PC796 Wagner on eBay a few years ago.

[mrvster]

A TON of t206 rare backs and printers' scrap!!!

Axxxxxe here!!!LOL

PEACE

Johnny

[HRBAKER]

Wolverine News Cobb PC @ the last Nat. in Chicago. I paused, thought about it, went back 30 minutes later and poof! it was gone.

[Doug]

There was a really nice SGC (20 I think) 1914 CJ Mathewson on eBay several months back, but someone beat me to it before I got the money.

[steve B]

Lots of fairly ordinary stuff for me, but ordinary stuff that would have been good buys in the long run.

A few Goudey Ruths, the dealer I went to would hand them to me and tell me I should buy them. Never did buy one, and they're a lot less affordable now.

A drum back at $250 a few years ago, about VG at about the 5th table I saw at a show, and I didn't want to go home with just one card...

Pretty much anything I saw when I first got into shows etc years ago. T206 hofers for $10 commons for around $2 nearly everything was that cheap.


Steve B

[tbob]

Too many regrets to even list

[brianp-beme]

There have been several missed opportunities, but one that sticks in my mind was at a card show in the mid-80's--a guy was parading around the show with a well-wrinkled but still decent looking Sports King of Babe Ruth. He wanted $25.00.

Brian

[ksabet]

When I was 19 I met super model Niki Taylor at a party in Miami and actually got a bit of flirtation my way, but my nerves kept me from pulling the trigger.

I am happily married with two kids now, but that would have been a great story.

[wolfdogg]

Passed up on a 1910 T210-8 Jackson in around GD-VG (raw) for under $7500......oh well

[Butch7999]

KSabet, we feel your pain...
However, as to the purported subject of missed opportunities with sports cards and memorabilia:
We still remember being witless teenagers (as opposed to the witless adults we are now) visiting the County Fair forty years ago and running across a vending machine full of 1940s and '50s baseball exhibit cards. Coulda emptied the machine for a nickel a card, all pristine. All we were interested in at the time, though, were Topps high numbers from that current season, impossible to find in our town. No interest in those outdated antiques...

If we could only turn back the clock

Our twelve biggest card collecting mistakes

1. N 43 near mint sent (1981) from Tom Collier $6000
2. 1915 Cracker Jack Poster (1984) Rob Lifson $20,000
3. Sol White Colored Baseball (best condition copy) 1979-show $350.00
4. Round Album Advertising Poster (1981) - Herman Kaufmann $18,500
5. Bought and sold 100 T212- 1981 bought $300- sold $1,200 same Philly show
6. Underbidder at Sotheby's for only Baseball Oscar- won by S Verkman
7. Near Mint Large Gypsy Quenn- $1,500 Chicago National- early 1980's
8. Ron Oser's NY Kalamazoo Bat"find" of New Yorkers- should have sold the ranch to buy them all
9. Chance to buy 5 near mint N 162 bb sets- 1984 -Goody Goldfaden- bout one for $200- should have bought all for $1000.00
10. Near Mint-Mint 1933 Goudey set - 1982- Cliff Lambert- $1750.00
11. Complete Set of T 200 Premiums- $10,000 George Lyons 1981
12. Old Judge Advertising sign with Player photos- 1989-Lew Neman-- $8000

We learned that one can never pay too much for ultra rare quality material.
Our new strategy has enabled us to acquire more than 30 additions to
America's Toughest Want List since Memorial Day.

In the words of a famous general- We have only just begun to fight

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List
bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com

[Peter_Spaeth]

Essentially Mint Wilson Franks Williams in a Boston card shop.

[milkit1]

1988-1989 - 4 signed Babe Ruth 1933 goudeys for $2400
this was the days before authentication but they did look good. Little too pricey for a boy with a paper route though

[Exhibitman]

A stack of 1918 Zeenuts at set-up day at a National. Why I went to set-up day if I wasn't going to buy things like that...

[rp12367]

Had a chance to buy a T207 Walter Johnson Buyback in high vg- maybe low ex back in 2003 at a local show for $250, dealer had it marked at $300. I wish I had got that card, never saw another one (buyback),I left the show with a box of 2003 Bowman baseball that was a bust...

[pete zouras]

Passing on a Walter "Johnston" Novelty Cutlery PC in VG+ for $300 about 10 years ago. I used the "it's not a card" argument to talk myself out of it.

[GasHouseGang]

Two Nm-Mt 1952 Topps Mantles, $1000 each, your choice. Both were beauties, couldn't pull the trigger. Oh well...

[cincyredlegs]

I can remember going to card shows in the early to mid 80's and seeing dealers with album's full of T205's and T206's for $1 to $2 for commons. If I could only turn back the clock.......

I know this isn't vintage but I remember back in 86 at a card show at the Holiday Inn in Dayton a dealer tried to get me to buy a wax case of 86 fleer basketball for $150.......are you kidding me, basketball. Who in there right mind would spend a $1 on that. Dangit.

Mark

[packs]

I didn't pass on them, but I had the deal blown for me by some nosey guy. This was back in the early 90s at a Gloria Rothstein show. I was maybe 13 at the time and was looking through a book of 1952 topps cards. The dealer had to do something so he had his buddy handle things while he was gone. I'm flipping through the book asking prices and the guy says, "Everything in that binder is $20." Most of the cards were beat up commons but in the back was a page with the Eddie Mathews, Jackie Robinson, and Bill Dickey cards. These were in amazing shape. I pulled them out and asked the guy again how much. He said $20 bucks each. Right before I can hand him the money and get out of there, some jerk next to me says "You're selling that Mathews for $20?" Then the guy's buddy pulls out the price guide and quickly puts the cards away. I could have killed that guy. Those cards alone would have paid for my college education.

[ErikV]

Probably 30 years ago now I had the chance to buy a rookie Ernie Banks card for $1.

About 20 years ago I had the chance to pick up 6-8 1951 Topps Connie Mack All-Star
cards. As I recall, all were in very nice shape.

More recently, I passed on picking up a PSA 5 1934 Goudey Lou Gehrig #37.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.......

ErikV

[ethicsprof]

in '84, offered a stack of Mantles from the 50's and 60's in exchange for a hundred new silver dollars i had gotten from the bank over the last couple of years. Passed because those were the poor days at the end of the PhD studies.
i periodically have a dream about it.
maybe i should call it a nightmare.

best,
barry

[Rickyy]

I passed on a T206 Magie error card that was probably in VG+ condition at the old Bob Lee show in SF that thinking back on it now..was really priced reasonably at that time...

and I got outbid on a Yoo Hoo Skowron card with coupon on epay some years back...that I wish I had put more $'s on..

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Wolverine News Cobb PC @ the last Nat. in Chicago. I paused, thought about it, went back 30 minutes later and poof! it was gone.

Jeff, I think Joe D stole that one from you. My advice: hunt down some Taddys and shove them in his face.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Jeff, I think Joe D stole that one from you. My advice: hunt down some Taddys and shove them in his face.

Jeff,
You are correct, he nabbed it. Send in the clowns.

[kkkkandp]

A few years ago at a Fort Washington show I arrived early on a Saturday morning and found an Old Judge Taylor Shafer card on Roger Neufeldt's table. I hadn't much money with me at the time and decided to walk around to see if there was anything higher on my want list before pulling the trigger. Before I could get back to the table Jay Miller was showing me his new acquisition - MY Taylor Shafer card! To this day John Dreker has never let me live that one down.

[drdduet]

Passed on too many Caramel Cards (mainly E90-1 and E95) in the early to mid eighties. Commons were about $5, HOFers were ~$25-$50 and Cobb ~$75-$100. Tobacco was king.

I did pass on a T206 Magie error in the late 1990's--it was in G condition and the price was $1000.

There have been way too many....

[Doug]

I remember passing up on a PSA 3 T206 Plank 10-12 years ago for $10k. Oops!

[bigtrain]

Originally Posted by Yankeefan51

In the words of a famous general- We have only just begun to fight


bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com

I believe its "I have not yet begun to fight" - John Paul Jones, Captain USN

[barrysloate]

I've told this story before, but in 1995 Rob Lifson was running an SCD Auction (pre-REA days) and he offered Barry Halper's Old Judge collection as one lot. It was loaded with Hall of Famers, Spotted Ties, Brown Champs, and assorted rarities. There were roughly 750 cards, with no pictures and minimal description (although he provided a set of black and white photocopies by request).

The lot opened at $17,500, roughly $25 a card, and received only the opening bid. Nobody would touch a large lot like that back then because there was no place to go with them. Wish I bought the lot and kept it.

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by packs

I didn't pass on them, but I had the deal blown for me by some nosey guy. This was back in the early 90s at a Gloria Rothstein show. I was maybe 13 at the time and was looking through a book of 1952 topps cards. The dealer had to do something so he had his buddy handle things while he was gone. I'm flipping through the book asking prices and the guy says, "Everything in that binder is $20." Most of the cards were beat up commons but in the back was a page with the Eddie Mathews, Jackie Robinson, and Bill Dickey cards. These were in amazing shape. I pulled them out and asked the guy again how much. He said $20 bucks each. Right before I can hand him the money and get out of there, some jerk next to me says "You're selling that Mathews for $20?" Then the guy's buddy pulls out the price guide and quickly puts the cards away. I could have killed that guy. Those cards alone would have paid for my college education.

You SHOULD haveroughed him up at least...that would actually have been permissable!

[oldjudge]

Kevin-Let it go; it's only a little piece of cardboard.

Barry-That lot kept David Festberg going for about five years

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Kevin-Let it go; it's only a little piece of cardboard.

you should sell it to him at cost then if it's no big deal.

[barrysloate]

I remember that Jay. David ran a weekly auction in SCD with five or six Old Judges in each one. It seemed he would never run out of them. But alas, he eventually did.

[incugator]

When I would go to shows as a kid (late 80s) my dad would put me on a limit of $20 no matter how much I saved. I always liked the vintage, but I would never go to the show and buy 1 card. I'd pick up a few 57 HOF'ers like Al Kaline, Nellie Fox, and Bob Lemon. I wish I would've just spent it on 1 Ted Williams, Hank Aaron or Willie Mays now. I was never a Yanks fan so I never went after Mantle. I wanted to buy a 53 mays, but even back then it was about $50-$100 for one that wasn't in poor condition.

-Ryan

[chaddurbin]

slim, slender brunette...jacuzzi, 3 years ago. she was going to show me some caramel cards, or at least some type of candy.

[judsonhamlin]

A stack of Broadleaf 350's and 460's at a Philly show about 10 years ago - about 6-10 460's at 50-75 each. Even though I had the cash to buy the lot, I only bought two. I think I was saving for something really special, like post-war commons...

[sox1903wschamp]

Not Pre-war but a Mint 1953 Topps set in 1980 for $500 at a St Louis card show . Okay they were described as Mint in 1980 but by todays standards, probably NR Mint to NR Mt-Mt. Still, they were awesome and the keys were golden. Oh well.

[kkkkandp]

Ahhhh, Jeff - I like the way you think. I already tried that tack with no luck.

I'd even be willing to allow him to make a profit!

Originally Posted by Bicem

you should sell it to him at cost then if it's no big deal.

[shimozukawa]

.

[ValKehl]

Several years ago, I couldn't pull the trigger to purchase what I believe is still the only 1925 Holland Creameries - Peckinpaugh card known to exist. If I recall correctly, the price was in the $2,500-3,000 range. I don't recall if it was the only one I needed to complete this set back then, but it is now!
Val

[mintacular]

Still kicking myself on this one, could've bought an '87 Fleer Mike Greenwell, Ellis Burks, and Todd Benzinger (yes THAT Todd Benzinger) for $10 duriing hte Summer of '88. . This was before the grading craze and these bad boys were solid NM-MT (or better) with razor sharp/razor sharp+ corners (wow!) with only minor chipping on the edges...

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by mintacular

Still kicking myself on this one, could've bought an '87 Fleer Mike Greenwell, Ellis Burks, and Todd Benzinger (yes THAT Todd Benzinger) for $10 duriing hte Summer of '88. . This was before the grading craze and these bad boys were solid NM-MT (or better) with razor sharp/razor sharp+ corners (wow!) with only minor chipping on the edges...

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Jeff,
You are correct, he nabbed it. Send in the clowns.

Jeff..... yep - that was me..... but I don't have it any more.

I hope you grabbed it in the last REA auction.

[Volod]

When I was seven, my older brother offered me his collection of 1951 Topps all-stars, but I already had so many minor stars, I looked at the Dropo and Evers cards on the top and turned up my nose. Oh well, had I taken them, Ma would have tossed them after I went into the service.

[Volod]

"We have met the enemy, and he is us." Pogo, Walt Kelly.

Whilst we did do it our way, we went against our instincts a number of times.

Here is a list of our top 20 "pass ups"

1. 1915 Cracker Jack Poster- 1982- offered by Rob Lifson for $20,000
2. Round Album Poster- offered by Herman Kaufmann for $20,000
3. Complete Near Mint set of N43 baseball- Tom Collier - $1,500
4. Sol White Colored Baseball- at our second show 1977 100
6. Lot of 50 T202 cards- Philadelphia show- 1981- we bought for
$ 150 and sold for $600- worse $450 we ever made
7. Outbid by a good friend at a 1982 Woffers auction for a Four Base Hit of Zimmerman
8. Traded Babe Ruth's St Mary's Year book (100- from Denis Goldstein) for a near mint small Boston Kalamazoo Bat
9. Two near mint to mint 1952 Mickey Mantle from the Jerry Taylor collection
which we purchased in partnership with Rob Lifson, Greg B and Biil Mastro
We were friends with Taylor- we did make a good of money- but had a chance to hand pick several cards-our mistake
10;1933 Goudey set (near mint-mint) $1500 from the Cliff Lambert
11.1915 Cracker Jack Set (mint) from Cliff Lambert- Mr. Mint purchased it
12. Four near-mint to mint N162 sets for $800 -Goodwin Goldfaden
13. Complete set of Duke Baseball Cabinets for $2500 from George Lyons
14. Six near mint 1913 Boston Garters for $2500-Robert Ball
15. Hank Greenberg advertising poster- Hunt Auction in NYC in concert
with the all star game at the new Yankee Stadium
16. Pebble Beach of Lefty O'Doul for $1500
17. Complete set of 1911 Dingman PCL team cards- for $1500-Dennis King
said set recently sold for $9000 in a Legendary Auction
18, Four near mint square Ramlys from Wharton Tigar for $400
19. Old Judge advertising sign with 20 player cards- Lew Neman $5000
20 Walter Johnson Tuxedo Advertising sign (mint) $2000- Ken Felden

The Worst Decision Of All (perhaps in collecting history)

Getting married and not have a pre-nup which excluded our baseball
cards and memorabilia collection- $2 million

We continue to search for a number of these items, and will pay top
dollar for material that meets our exacting standards

Bruce Dorskind
America's Leading Acquirer of Ultra Rare High Condition
Baseball Memorabilia (no autographs, bats, equipment or uniforms)

Bruce Dorskind can be contacted at bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Yankeefan51

The Worst Decision Of All (perhaps in collecting history)

Getting married and not have a pre-nup which excluded our baseball
cards and memorabilia collection- $2 million

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by bijoem

Jeff..... yep - that was me..... but I don't have it any more.

I hope you grabbed it in the last REA auction.

Joe,

No I didn't but I know where there's another one calling my name.

[joeadcock]

In the mid 1970's at a Flea Market in Miami Florida(across from Tropical Park) with my father. There was a family at table selling T206's. Never had seen a tobacco card up close. Most for $1 and a Ruth 33 Goudey for $5.

My father got me Lajoie throwing for $1, no other T206's. No Ruth either. In retrospect, would have done lawn cuts, or anything for money to buy more of these.

Also when Senior year in High School 1981, beautiful girl named Mara. Didn't have guts to ask her out on a date.

Frank