They're starting to come out ... 11 of Howe's cards from Fall REA

[Howe’s Hunter]

Ended up getting two of the five that were for bid. And the Phillippe going for more than $100 is crazy. Seems the three I lost all went to different bidders, and the two I did get I went higher for than any other common I've ever bid/purchased for.

[celoknob]

Do I have this right? The only reason other collectors are so aggressive in bidding these way above expected value is because they know there is one person specifically collecting these stamps. Anything else special about these stamps? There are plenty of other cards with all kinds of personalized and other kinds of stamps on them available--in most circumstances they pull they card price down.

If that's right--Definitely not human nature at its best.

[slidekellyslide]

One unfortunate side effect of Ed publicly collecting this specialized collection is that others will try to capitalize on it. I'm sure though in the long run he's gotten more help than hindrance from collectors, but those out there driving the prices up for no other reason than greed are jerks.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

One unfortunate side effect of Ed publicly collecting this specialized collection is that others will try to capitalize on it. I'm sure though in the long run he's gotten more help than hindrance from collectors, but those out there driving the prices up for no other reason than greed are jerks.

Dan, I kind or sort of disagree. If you know a collector has a passion for an item and you can purchase it with the hopes of reselling said item to him or someone else along the way. Then you are doing exactly what people have done for a long time in the hobby, buy and flip. We all appreciate Ed's passion but if I knew he was looking for those cards and I could buy them cheaply I sure would acquire them and turn them for a profit. Even Greg said, I'll send them to you and pay me what you think is appropriate. I'm would wager Greg is going to make some money on those cards.

Rich

[RCMcKenzie]

Rich, I would normally agree. If you can find a T213-1 Bob Rhoades, I will make it rain gold bullion for your efforts.
In Ed's case with the McCormick stamp, the only value in the cards is the hype he and the board gave them.
From what I understand, he is not a fancy lawyer or hedge fund manager.
I thought Morris cards was pulling down the auctions and sending him the cards.
I think a lot of people see it like the 'Buck's Travels' card. Like if someone got that card and hi-jacked it. Just my .02. Rob

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

Ended up getting two of the five that were for bid. And the Phillippe going for more than $100 is crazy. Seems the three I lost all went to different bidders, and the two I did get I went higher for than any other common I've ever bid/purchased for.

Which 2 did you get?

Phillippe ($109.46)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T20...p2047675.l2557

Overall ($68)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T20...p2047675.l2557

Camnitz ($85.50):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T20...p2047675.l2557

Crandall ($82.78):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T20...p2047675.l2557

Fletcher ($77.96)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T20...p2047675.l2557


ALSO... Note that there were other crazy prices on these stamped-back T206s without McCormick. This Shannon stamped by Russell Sewell, for example, went for $84:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T20...p2047675.l2557

And this Charles/Sewell for $76:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T20...p2047675.l2557

Could it be that people are buying these with the intention of removing the ink stamps? That would make a lot more sense...

[Howe’s Hunter]

Fletcher and Overall. Missed Crandall by by exactly $1, which I'm guessing was the next increment up from my snipe.

I've always said I won't be able to get them all. Either won't know of them or won't be able to afford them. Just starting to happen on some of the commons now.

Again, thanks to everyone on the board for their help with this crazy project. Didn't realize until about an hour ago when answering a PM that it will be 12 years in May that I started this. Never thought there would be this many around, or that I would have this many back in one place.

Thanks again.

[Jobu]

Ed, congrats on getting a few and sorry that you didn't get them all.

I don't think people want to remove the stamps. Instead, I think people are starting to collect the cards because of the stamps - going for stamped sets, runs of unique stamps, etc. As an F stamp researcher, I have always thought that stamps add a cool angle to collecting - which is part of the reason we all like Ed's project.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Jobu

I think people are starting to collect the cards because of the stamps - going for stamped sets, runs of unique stamps, etc. As an F stamp researcher, I have always thought that stamps add a cool angle to collecting - which is part of the reason we all like Ed's project.

As someone who has gotten extremely burned by forged signatures on T206 cards, paying such a premium for stamped T206s strikes me as inviting a (much) easier kind of fraud. But, I am certainly not one to judge.

[Jobu]

I agree with this Paul, if people start paying a significant premium for stamps (as opposed to their hurting the price, which has usually been the case), then the future might get a little murky. To me this feels like a blip and stamps will return to normal pricing.

[judsonhamlin]

There are some back stamps that I do try to acquire - there were three in the recent Morris auction, but felt like the prices were a little higher than usual and was under bidder on all of them.