I didn't know a piece of fabric could be this expensive...

[JBird]

the thing that sells this card is its rarity. the card is serial numbered to 5 that makes the price jump quite a bit. the pieces they insert in the cards that are vintage come from the baseball archives but on the back of the card it usually says something along the lines of this was a game used ball that we cannot guarantee was used by this player in any specific game. its like the jersey swatch cards. only the company knows where it came from. could be a warm up jersey, a spring training or reg season jersey. thats why those dont sell as high unless it is multi colored and serial numbered. the big GU cards right now are the bat knobs.

[Hankphenom]

What is this? And who says?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

What is this? And who says?

C'mon Hank. It's a piece of leather from something and it could be what they say.

[Sean1125]

This may seem like an odd question but I am simply interested in whether it is possible...

Could these companies by class-action suited if they couldn't prove the provenance on the pieces of memorabilia inserted into cards that specifically say game used?

[packs]

I know I'd be upset if I paid that much money.

[CW]

How about $1600 and counting for a Jim Thorpe button???

[Leon]

Originally Posted by CW

How about $1600 and counting for a Jim Thorpe button???

Wow, almost makes me want to sell his card and get one of those!!@ > I guess they have provenance?
But when stepping back a second, and being devil's advocate, why couldn't this button-card be enjoyed as much, or more, than something else? (again, just for arguments sake).

[glchen]

Originally Posted by JBird

the thing that sells this card is its rarity. the card is serial numbered to 5 that makes the price jump quite a bit. the pieces they insert in the cards that are vintage come from the baseball archives but on the back of the card it usually says something along the lines of this was a game used ball that we cannot guarantee was used by this player in any specific game. its like the jersey swatch cards. only the company knows where it came from. could be a warm up jersey, a spring training or reg season jersey. thats why those dont sell as high unless it is multi colored and serial numbered. the big GU cards right now are the bat knobs.

FYI, some of those bat knobs are no good. See: Link

[freakhappy]

Put a serial number on a card these days and the rest is history

[Shoele$$]

Originally Posted by freakhappy

Put a serial number on a card these days and the rest is history

Exactly, it's a complete joke. I personally would never bid on garbage like this, with no real trail of evidence to prove where this "scrap piece" came from, but that's just me.

[jhs5120]

Originally Posted by Shoele$$

Exactly, it's a complete joke. I personally would never bid on garbage like this, with no real trail of evidence to prove where this "scrap piece" came from, but that's just me.

I guess they're just like the Helmar reprint cards - complete garbage solely sold for their aethstetic appeal. Was the swatch worn by whoever? Maybe not, but it's a collectable for other reasons as well.

Now, I am not arguing for or against defacing a relic. Personally, I have no problem with swatches used by current players - those jerseys are a dime a dozen, but cutting up a Ty Cobb bat, or Walter Johnson jersey just seems wrong.