My $0.02 on Rosen:

https://open.substack.com/pub/adamst...utm_medium=web

That was a great summary and analysis of Rosen and his business. I saw him in operation a few times, and he just seemed like a big showman. But I guess it worked for him, and he was so well known that he did bring some nice cards into the hobby that may have never been discovered otherwise.

Nicely done, Adam. I knew several of his assistants, and I could never figure how they could stand being around the guy. They would just roll their eyes and tell me that he would throw them some smaller deals during the course of a show, which made it worthwhile for them, I suppose.

I enjoyed your account, Adam. Very well written.

I worked several shows where Rosen was set up. We never interacted even when passing each other. All I remember is a lot of noise when he was "on", and when he was "off", he seemed to tune out anyone and anything.

Adam, wonderful write up! Reminded me of the many times I saw Rosen perform at card shows back in the 1990's

Its the biggest fishing story I have ever heard. All the more they pump up the 52s highs.

The pop counts/scarcity is what makes the high numbers valuable though, not stories about why the pop counts are lower. The market doesn't care about why, it only cares about how many.

The pop counts/scarcity is what makes the high numbers valuable though, not stories about why the pop counts are lower. The market doesn't care about why, it only cares about how many.

But you're arguing that perception of reality isn't a crucial determinant of pricing. But it is. Prices move and move dramatically in response to changes in perception.

Alan used to buy quite a lot from a local legend collector and dealer I was friends with. Always treated him well
One time I was setup at the old Cranston RI show when it was in Warwick.

I had an older 50s personalized Mantle ball I had picked up at a paper show. . I was confident but as a customer was looking, he walked by and randomly blurted out " nice old Mick".Helped me sell the ball for 100.00. :(. I only paid 50 at least