Antique Mall Hunting

[Sean]

I've noticed that they seem to base their prices on what they believe the card would grade at, but usually they're wildly optimistic.

[GrayGhost]

ive found some things at good prices, but yes mostly way overpriced

[packs]

One time I saw a can of Plow Boy tobacco at an antique mall and almost bought it, but they wanted $100 and I wasn't sure what the return would be.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by packs

One time I saw a can of Plow Boy tobacco at an antique mall and almost bought it, but they wanted $100 and I wasn't sure what the return would be.

Lung cancer

[btcarfagno]

Last year I obtained a group of four pre war cards at an antique center here in NJ. I got:

T205 Wheat (poor condition)
Harrington's Frisch (fair condition)
Harrington's McGraw (fair condition)
T206 Fred Clarke (good-very good condition)

Wasn't a tremendous bargain but enough so that I picked them up.

Tom C

[obcbobd]

I hit the Antique Malls in New England quite often. I also go to the Brimfield Antique show. As others have said almost always way over priced. I've seen boxes of 88 Topps, cards all messed up, creased etc. for $1 a card. Reprint Goudeys for $50 each. 74 Topps commons in VG for $5. 1966 Topps commons in VG for $1, not too bad, but $1 was written on the back of each card. I've made a few pick ups: T206 beater under $5, 66 Sand Koufax, creased $4.

I've had more luck at Flea Markets and Yard Sales.

It is fun to look, even if 90% of the time I find nothing.

thanks

Bob

[Leon]

Originally Posted by packs

One time I saw a can of Plow Boy tobacco at an antique mall and almost bought it, but they wanted $100 and I wasn't sure what the return would be.

The ROI would have probably been about <-$50> negative 50 bucks.

It seems like, to non collectors, a hundred year old baseball card has to be worth at least a hundred bucks, right?

[bnorth]

I like to look around at antique shops/malls but rarely buy anything because everything is insanely overpriced. I did get lucky in a antique mall out in Newport Oregon last fall and picked up a Brent Morel Corvallis Knights bobblehead for $5. It was from when he was called up to the White Sox. He was the first Knight to make it to the Majors.

[drcy]

I remember when a board member and I went to an antique store and he got a steal on a 1930s football jersey, because it was being sold as a fencing uniform, no doubt due to the crotch strap. He came up to me and said "What is this?" I said "a football jersey." He said "Okay, that's what I thought."

[midmo]

Strange you mention St Louis. Two years ago I found a badly miscut (and pin holed) T206 HOF in a stack of cards in a case at an antique mall in St Louis. I know I'm in the minority, but I've never really cared for T206's and almost left it there. I ended up taking a chance and bought it for around $50. Sold it last year for $550. They're few and far between, but you never know.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by midmo

Strange you mention St Louis. Two years ago I found a badly miscut (and pin holed) T206 HOF in a stack of cards in a case at an antique mall in St Louis. I know I'm in the minority, but I've never really cared for T206's and almost left it there. I ended up taking a chance and bought it for around $50. Sold it last year for $550. They're few and far between, but you never know.

What player and back was it? If it wasn't a Cobb, it must have been a rare back.

[slidekellyslide]

Persistence is the key. Sure you strike out a lot, but occasionally you get lucky. I've found lots of great stuff in antique malls. Just recently I picked up a Dick Groat Hartland for $25. Yes, it's the c1960 vintage one. Although it's been years since I've seen a single pre-WW1 card in a mall, about 7 or 8 years ago I ran across a bunch of Obaks at a local mall, I took some pics and shared them here because I really know next to nothing about that set. Some members here implored me to go back, but they were gone.

[ullmandds]

I have found bunches of pseudo vintage at antique malls...50's-70's...nothing spectacular...BUT...this "get" from the star of the north antique show last year is my payoff for perseverence!!!!! IT CAN HAPPEN!!!!

[GasHouseGang]

I picked up a really nice '59 Clemente from an antique store last year. Coincidently, the antique store was in St. Louis. It was in a stack of cards that were individually priced and it had a $40 price tag on it. Plus there was 10% off that day. I could tell it was in really nice condition, so I took a chance. I got it graded by PSA, and it came back a 7. Nice pick up for $36!

[midmo]

Originally Posted by Luke

What player and back was it? If it wasn't a Cobb, it must have been a rare back.

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