1954 Topps Original Artwork (ebay listings)

[ALR-bishop]

I know a guy who has collected some of these, but I think he bought them from Topps Vault and they came sealed with a certificate. I will ask him to take a look at these. The sellers feedback and other sale items seem a mismatch

[spacktrack]

They are identical to the ones sold by REA in the most recent auction:

http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/...x?itemid=30930

[Section103]

Thanks!!

[Brianruns10]

I guess it could be legit, but I'm always bothered when quality vintage items like these turn up as items being sold by dealers who sell modern junk, who don't have the eye or frankly the appreciation that a dealer in vintage would have. Personally I don't do business with them because I don't think they have the experience level to judge an item's worth or quality. And frankly, this guy is greedy trying to almost double what he paid for it through the auction house.

I'll save my money for guys like Probstein.

[spacktrack]

Originally Posted by Brianruns10

And frankly, this guy is greedy trying to almost double what he paid for it through the auction house.

To be clear, REA did not sell the ones listed on eBay. They are identical in style, not identical player selection.

[toppcat]

This is only semi-related to the discussion here but as I wrote recently on my blog, Irwin Hasen of Dondi fame was noted by the Card Collectors Co.to have done the illustrations for the 1955 Topps baseball reverses. Looking at the 1954 artworks, its seems possible to me he drew the earlier year as well as they style looks a lot like his.

http://toppsarchives.blogspot.com/20...-new-info.html

[stone193]

I've been buying Topps art for card backs since 1991 and am by no means an expert.

The easiest to feel comfortable about? Those with the "Toppsvault" COA.

I have bought pieces from Mike Gidwitz (without the stamp or COA) whom I trust and since the price was very reasonable, it wouldn't bother me if they were found to be fake.

Another "group" of artwork that I would also have piece of mind? Those with the Auction (Guernsey) stamp on the back. Many dealers bought boatloads of these at the auction and were selling them in SCD in the early 90s.











What interests me about the artwork from the auction? It's not complete.



(No printing)

I can only guess that perhaps this was the part of the process where they were going to do a "paste-up" for a subsequent card proof?

I think these items are a bit overpriced now IMO. I'm totally out of the game for that kind of dough.

[Section103]

All great comments - thank you. Clearly, the items on eBay seem overpriced compared to history and I probably wont bid on any unless compulsion overcomes me. These were the first Ive seen of their kind (at least, that I remember) so they are intriguing.

Now I know what to look for.