Memorabilia Guy - needs card help pls PHOTOS ADDED

[baseball tourist]

Love to check this side out but never have anything to post about, as I am a memorabilia collector (bats, jerseys, tickets and photos etc mostly).

Have a buddy in Toronto that is being entrusted with selling a collection of 1950’s baseball cards from a the estate of a friend of the family. It includes some big names (Mays, Robinson etc) and a rough, 1952 Topps Mantle.

The family wants the cards sold visibly, so different stakeholders can witness what the cards realize and they had assumed selling these raw through Ebay would be the way to go. I would like to help my friend and the estate maximize their returns and I believe slabbing the cards and perhaps if the collection’s value is solid enough, an auction House like Heritage (where I have sold some non card, pieces) can expedite the grading process and waive the seller’s commission, will likely ensure they bring the best prices.

That is sound advice, right? It’s hard to convince a family who has not done this before, that paying $1,000 to have a Mantle graded “authentic” (is that the right grading fee price?) is the right thing to do.

With approx 100 cards (list and photos coming to me soon and I will post) it looks to be an interesting collection.

I would appreciate any advice I can give them. Thanks!

[68Hawk]

Originally Posted by baseball tourist

Love to check this side out but never have anything to post about, as I am a memorabilia collector (bats, jerseys, ticket and photos etc mostly).

Have a buddy in Toronto that is being entrusted with selling a collection of 1950’s baseball cards from a the estate of a friend of the family. It includes some big names (Mays, Robinson etc) and a rough, 1952 Topps Mantle.

The family wants the cards sold visibly, so different stakeholders can witness what the cards realize and they had assumed selling these raw through Ebay would be the way to go. I would like to help my friend and the estate maximize their returns and I believe slabbing the cards and perhaps if the collection’s value is solid enough, an auction House like Heritage (where I have sold some non card, pieces) can expedite the grading process and waive the seller’s commission, will likely ensure they bring the best prices.

That is sound advice, right? It hard to convince a family who has not done this before, that paying $1,000 to have a Mantle graded “authentic” (is that the right grading fee price?) is the right thing to do.

With approx 100 cards (list and photos coming to me soon and I will post) it looks to be an interesting collection.

I would appreciate any advice I can give them. Thanks!

Your advice is really sound.
The only thing that would make me nervous would be shipping the cards internationally to get it to Heritage or REA or similar.
I know Canada is still refusing travelers from the US but not sure if Canadians can get around that and both leave and return to their home country.
If at all possible I'd have your friend by a round trip ticket to Dallas/NJ and hand deliver the cards. I just checked for a family trip were planning and return KC - Vancouver is only $335 per person.
Well worth the piece of mind in my opinion.

[baseball tourist]

Thanks Daniel! Good to know that I’m on the right track. Is there any way to get a rough estimate of what grading fees might be? I will have a list of the cards soon.

[brob28]

Hi Chris,

I agree your advice is sound. If you have a collection that is substantial enough to consign with a major auction house, I believe they will handle sending specific cards in for grading on your behalf taking that hassle out of your hands and be the best option. By not selling on Ebay they can also avoid a lot of potential hassle that would be best to have non-collectors steer clear of IMO.

[drcy]

I agree that consigning to a big auction house is the best way. The folks can be assured that it's done professionally, with a wide audience and they can all witness the sale. As I tell such folks, the auction house's motive is to get the best prices.

[baseball tourist]

Originally Posted by drcy

I agree that consigning to a big auction house is the best way. The folks can be assured that it's done professionally, with a wide audience and they can all witness the sale. As I tell such folks, the auction house's motive is to get the best prices.

Thanks David!

[RL]

avoid ebay... especially for higher price items.

auction house would be the best way to go.

[baseball tourist]

Originally Posted by brob28

Hi Chris,

I agree your advice is sound. If you have a collection that is substantial enough to consign with a major auction house, I believe they will handle sending specific cards in for grading on your behalf taking that hassle out of your hands and be the best option. By not selling on Ebay they can also avoid a lot of potential hassle that would be best to have non-collectors steer clear of IMO.

Thank you Bill!

[todeen]

Originally Posted by brob28

By not selling on Ebay they can also avoid a lot of potential hassle that would be best to have non-collectors steer clear of IMO.

Agree!

Lots of stories on this board about buyers who receive the card and file a claim stating they didn't receive it. Then they end up with the card and the cash. Auction house is the way to go.

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by baseball tourist

Thanks Daniel! Good to know that I’m on the right track. Is there any way to get a rough estimate of what grading fees might be? I will have a list of the cards soon.

Let the auction house get the cards graded ?

[baseball tourist]

Originally Posted by jcmtiger

Let the auction house get the cards graded ?

Yes, but the AU will charge those costs back to the consigner, or that is what I have been told and the seller would like to know what typical grading fees will run.

[Yoda]

If family decides to use Heritage or REA they should make sure they don't pay a consignors fee (20%) if the collection does prove to be as valuable as you say. A $1,000 grading fee for the '52 Mantle will more than pay for itself if it grades out at least a 1.

[68Hawk]

Originally Posted by baseball tourist

Yes, but the AU will charge those costs back to the consigner, or that is what I have been told and the seller would like to know what typical grading fees will run.

Depending on how quickly the Seller wants to get the cards into the next available auction will affect the grading fees asked by TPG's. Super quick turnaround will cost you more.

The grading companies all list out their fees so you can see the charges, I don't believe the Auction houses get actual discounts but they do often manage to get ahead in the line and shorten waiting times for return of cards.
Some of the TPGs will also charge more depending on value of card, so cards like the Mays/Robinson/Mantle will likely cost more than others.

The great thing with most of the Auction houses is they will offer to deduct the grading cost off the final number that you get as a return for the sale.
So they'll carry the outlay for you until the cards have sold and simply hold back the grading fees as well as any other negotiated fees or premium.