Any Opinions on the Helmar cards on Ebay ?

[T206DK]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

These cards are not reprints, they are newly made and look like vintage cards. They look like old manufacturers cards, Goudey etc. I can only see confusion in the future when someone tries to sell these as "Vintage" cards. New collectors in the future will not know a "real" card from a "fake vintage looking " card.

some of them are really nice, but his auctions are a massive Shill bidding party if you ever bother to check them out. I don't see how you can have bidders with hundreds of bids and they only seem to bid on this guys items. they rarely win anything, and the fact that the cards are only offfered " a few times a year" gives him the opportunity to alter and relist any cards won by his shill bidding buddies or other accounts he is using.
I'm a fan of the negro league cards and cuban baseball players he does...I just can't bring myself to bid on them anymore because of the shady bid history on most of his items. I've bought a few of the Helmar items from secondary sellers and get them for way cheaper than what he sells them for on his account.

The cards are not worth the exorbitant prices they sell for...it's the actual artwork used to make the cards that is worth something

[alanu]

I really like quite a few of them and have bid on them, but haven't won any.

[HRBAKER]

I've bought a few early on bf the prices started to spike.
I do know the newer ones are dated on back.
The quality is actually very good.

[sirraffles]

I'm kind of proud of this new series, there will be 42 in the set. Thought you might enjoy a picture of the Ty Cobb.

[packs]

How do you make them? Are there paintings of the cards or do you use a program like photoshop? They're really cool.

[Jay Wolt]

I think the Helmar cards are great.
They are fantasy pieces that are very collectible.
Here's the original artwork & finished product of the '33 Goudey'ish Eddie Plank.
Plank passed away in 1926

[sirraffles]

Thank you. We make original paintings, usually with opaque watercolors. Then the paintings are scanned and, in this case, the text and logos were added in photoshop. Normally the backs are done in photoshop or photopaint.

The original paintings for this series are 8.5" x 4.25", the same size as the eventual printed card. In this size we can make only 1 new painting a week. So, to do the 42 paintings that we have planned for this series, it will take nearly all year to do. 12 of the 42 are already done.

One collector commissioned all 42 paintings this time.

[forgerelli]

I really like the cards but I just can't bring myself to pay the prices they go for. Have you considered issuing a lower cost "reprint" set?

Scott F

[sirraffles]

I don't see how you can have bidders with hundreds of bids and they only seem to bid on this guys items.

Hi, if you would kindly let me know which regular bidders you are referring to, I may well be able to have them contact you directly. Virtually every card brings action from a number of different bidders and every card over the last two years has sold. The Helmar items are the most actively bid card items on eBay because they are beautiful and relatively scarce compared to other cards. For example, there are probably 200 1933 Goudey cards on eBay at any one time per 1 of the Helmar version of that set. Regarding your idea that I use multiple eBay names, no, I have just the one.

I like the idea that you have purchased Helmar cards on the secondary market and would encourage that strongly!! Thanks, Charles

You can also call me directly at 248 882 0834. I don't bite.