Two hour interview with.... Bill Mastro

[Rich Klein]

For a hobby history board (or at least how we are sometimes) please don't skip to the 1 hour 6 minute point. Listen to the whole first hour because there is a TON of hobby history talked about by a person with first hand experience.

In fact, at some point I'd love to hear more about Bill's adventures at the early 1970s shows before any of us really knew about the hobby.

In other words, listen to the whole darned interview.

Rich

[tjisonline]

I feel the same. His recollections mirror what I remember during the early 1980s and more importantly, what other collecting folks before that have said.

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

For a hobby history board (or at least how we are sometimes) please don't skip to the 1 hour 6 minute point. Listen to the whole first hour because there is a TON of hobby history talked about by a person with first hand experience.

In fact, at some point I'd love to hear more about Bill's adventures at the early 1970s shows before any of us really knew about the hobby.

In other words, listen to the whole darned interview.

Rich

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

For a hobby history board (or at least how we are sometimes) please don't skip to the 1 hour 6 minute point. Listen to the whole first hour because there is a TON of hobby history talked about by a person with first hand experience.

In fact, at some point I'd love to hear more about Bill's adventures at the early 1970s shows before any of us really knew about the hobby.

In other words, listen to the whole darned interview.

Rich

Agreed.

I did, and it was fantastic. I had been looking forward to some type of tell-all by Mastro including that story for some time.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Listen to the whole first hour because there is a TON of hobby history talked about by a person with first hand experience.

First hand experience in shilling his own auctions too I hear.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

For a hobby history board (or at least how we are sometimes) please don't skip to the 1 hour 6 minute point. Listen to the whole first hour because there is a TON of hobby history talked about by a person with first hand experience.

In fact, at some point I'd love to hear more about Bill's adventures at the early 1970s shows before any of us really knew about the hobby.

In other words, listen to the whole darned interview.

Rich

Rich, he stopped by my table at the National in Chicago one year and spoke with me for several minutes. I told him who I was and he told me he was Bill Mastro. When I told him I had heard of him, he said likely it was not in a good way. Anyway, he was pretty good to talk to, but I wish I had asked him more about his early years, though I never pressed him about his demise. Think I told him most people believe in second chances or something to that effect.

[Johnny630]

Here is an interesting one $2,060 sold for last night...for a PSA 3

100% bank on this card being cracked worked wrinkle and crease removed boom 8 holder. Happens all the time with zero disclosure....it's sad but true.

If you have a great looking eye appeal card with something minor and a auction house lists and documents the write up as such you will do very well. This auction proves that.

https://collectauctions.net/1957_Top...LOT56423.aspx#

[Hankphenom]

I hope Bill is working on a book, and telling it straight; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can't think of anyone who has experienced more of the hobby's history firsthand, not to mention how much of it he made himself, it would have to be a fascinating read.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Here is an interesting one $2,060 sold for last night...for a PSA 3

100% bank on this card being cracked worked wrinkle and crease removed boom 8 holder. Happens all the time with zero disclosure....it's sad but true.

If you have a great looking eye appeal card with something minor and a auction house lists and documents the write up as such you will do very well. This auction proves that.

https://collectauctions.net/1957_Top...LOT56423.aspx#

Little doubt one of our heroes bought that one.

[tjisonline]

Yes, this card has excellent eye appeal.

Look at the bottom of the card (edge & corners - both sides). That’s why it was graded a 3. If anything, the auction description was overly positive to the point of being laughable. PSA allows a minor crease for 4s. I’m sure whoever bought this card will get quite a surprise in-hand if purchased solely for thinking a PSA 5.5 is possible let alone an 8.

Now the question I have is if the PSA grader even cross-referenced this card while grading to their own standards. Who knows anymore as I think it’s an easy 4 on a bad day.

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Here is an interesting one $2,060 sold for last night...for a PSA 3

100% bank on this card being cracked worked wrinkle and crease removed boom 8 holder. Happens all the time with zero disclosure....it's sad but true.

If you have a great looking eye appeal card with something minor and a auction house lists and documents the write up as such you will do very well. This auction proves that.

https://collectauctions.net/1957_Top...LOT56423.aspx#

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by tjisonline

Yes, this card has excellent eye appeal.

Look at the bottom of the card (edge & corners - both sides). That’s why it was graded a 3. If anything, the auction description was overly positive to the point of being laughable. PSA allows a minor crease for 4s. I’m sure whoever bought this card will get quite a surprise in-hand if purchased solely for thinking a PSA 5.5 is possible let alone an 8.

Now the question I have is if the PSA grader even cross-referenced this card while grading to their own standards. Who knows anymore as I think it’s an easy 4 on a bad day.

My point was the cards final price of $2,060 was that much for a PSA 3 because the card is going to be "worked" aka massaged on the back to get wrinkle out for a 8. They are not paying $2,060 to crack, send as is and try again for a 4 or 4.5. Not a chance.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

My point was the cards final price of $2,060 was that much for a PSA 3 because the card is going to be "worked" aka massaged on the back to get wrinkle out for a 8. They are not paying $2,060 to crack, send as is and try again for a 4 or 4.5. Not a chance.

Isn’t this where that fancy database and AI are supposed to kick in to identify cards that have been previously submitted and now cracked out and altered to get a better grade this time?

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by raulus

Isn’t this where that fancy database and AI are supposed to kick in to identify cards that have been previously submitted and now cracked out and altered to get a better grade this time?

I have no clue maybe don't know.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

My point was the cards final price of $2,060 was that much for a PSA 3 because the card is going to be "worked" aka massaged on the back to get wrinkle out for a 8. They are not paying $2,060 to crack, send as is and try again for a 4 or 4.5. Not a chance.

Yep. I encounter cards like this all the time. People often think these are examples of shill bidding or fake sales, but they're usually cards that buyers think are either under-graded or can be improved. The market values card by their potential, not by their current state. Although in most cases, these values are equivalent.

Originally Posted by raulus

Isn’t this where that fancy database and AI are supposed to kick in to identify cards that have been previously submitted and now cracked out and altered to get a better grade this time?

LOL

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

My point was the cards final price of $2,060 was that much for a PSA 3 because the card is going to be "worked" aka massaged on the back to get wrinkle out for a 8. They are not paying $2,060 to crack, send as is and try again for a 4 or 4.5. Not a chance.

No way the card is an 8 after the wrinkle is taken out. Has corner wear most evident from the back but can be seen from the front. The lower right corner from the back has a bend which they will have to work some magic on. There is also some surface issues on the right side of his face...mostly in the hat. Very nice 3 but it is going to need a full makeover for an 8.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

No way the card is an 8 after the wrinkle is taken out. Has corner wear most evident from the back but can be seen from the front. The lower right corner from the back has a bend which they will have to work some magic on. There is also some surface issues on the right side of his face...mostly in the hat. Very nice 3 but it is going to need a full makeover for an 8.

Some buyer has confidence in his skills.

[tjisonline]

100%. Upon inspection, the flaws w/ this card stand out.
Whoever spent $2k, I wish them good luck. That is “near mint” price territory

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

No way the card is an 8 after the wrinkle is taken out. Has corner wear most evident from the back but can be seen from the front. The lower right corner from the back has a bend which they will have to work some magic on. There is also some surface issues on the right side of his face...mostly in the hat. Very nice 3 but it is going to need a full makeover for an 8.