Trophy damage and value

[ruth-gehrig]

How does repaired trophy damage affect value?
For example what if any one of the 5 Spalding baseball player trophies had a prior repair to attach players legs back to trophy......
Does it cut value in half?
If it was done professionally but still noticeable upon close inspection does it drop the value less? How about one of the trophies that just has finish loss but not damaged? Does this also affect the value but less so because it's expected wear? You could take any trophy and apply these same questions.

Thanks!

[conor912]

I think it’s unreasonable to expect that a repair be 100% undetectable. It might be possible to do so by some sort of master craftsman, but it’s probably going to cost you more than the trophy. In my opinion, if the repair is done well and respects the piece, that would be good enough for me.

As far as value goes, losing half sounds excessive to me. Again, as long as the repair was done well and doesn’t detract from the eye appeal, I would expect it to knock about 20 or 30% off. The finish is an entirely different issue, and I would just consider that part of the normal aging process. Just my take.

Edited to add that if there are really only five of them in existence, buying a repaired one might be the only chance you ever get to even own one. I could be wrong, but I would definitely consider that as well.

[ruth-gehrig]

Appreciate the response and opinion. I was curious about this topic and mostly what the consensus was, if any, about the value of repaired trophies vs unaltered. I was just throwing out the "half price" and agree that may be a bit harsh.

The 5 Spalding trophies was in reference to there being 5 in the set not 5 known in total. There is a pitcher, batter, catcher, fielder and 1st baseman. I agree when it comes to true rarity you kind of have to buy what you can as long as you can live with the condition you happen to find it in

[conor912]

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

Appreciate the response and opinion. I was curious about this topic and mostly what the consensus was, if any, about the value of repaired trophies vs unaltered. I was just throwing out the "half price" and agree that may be a bit harsh.

The 5 Spalding trophies was in reference to there being 5 in the set not 5 known in total. There is a pitcher, batter, catcher, fielder and 1st baseman. I agree when it comes to true rarity you kind of have to buy what you can as long as you can live with the condition you happen to find it in

Ah, yeah. I know that series. Beautiful pieces!

[perezfan]

I'm going to make the assumption that you are inquiring about one that happens to be closing tonight (and is still sitting at a VERY low price). The AH failed to disclose the obvious repairs to the legs, most visible on the reverse side. It's a crime (IMHO) that they failed to disclose it.

To me (and many other collectors of these things) it can indeed cut the value in half. In fact, it would keep me from even bidding on it. That's what appears to be happening tonight, as any semi-experienced collector of these things will see the repaired area if they just look at all the provided pics.

I would be very careful about bidding, given the severity of the repair and the lack of any disclosure. As I write this, the Trophy sits at less than 1/5 the value of a non-restored one. I imagine it will go up some, but buyer beware.

Ps. Structural damage (and its repair) is far more detrimental than loss of finish, which is inconsequential and even expected.

Hope this helps.

[ruth-gehrig]

Yes Mark that's the exact trophy I had in mind
It's a topic I don't remember having seen discussed before and was curious about. When i saw this trophy I had to start a thread. Looks like the trophy closed at $1320 total(including BP) so in this particular case it appears the damage really hurt the price. About 25% of retail! Hopefully the buyer really took a close look and aren't suprised when they open their shipment!
Thanks again for the responses guys.

[conor912]

Since it’s now closed, would one of you mind posting a link?

[ruth-gehrig]

Here you go

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c.../50073-82303.s

[Balticfox]

If it's a one-of-a-kind classic trophy such as the Stanley Cup, Grey Cup, Memorial Cup, Allan Cup, Yates Cup, Vanier Cup or Calder Cup, it's likely to have undergone many repairs already and these have not hurt the trophy's value one iota.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

If it's a one-of-a-kind classic trophy such as the Stanley Cup, Grey Cup, Memorial Cup, Allan Cup, Yates Cup, Vanier Cup or Calder Cup, it's likely to have undergone many repairs already and these have not hurt the trophy's value one iota.

True, that the importance/significance of such a one-of-a-kind Trophy outweighs its condition in most cases. But with these glorious Spalding works of art, it's all about eye appeal, display-ability and originality. The best condition examples always sell for the most money.

I'm with Mike... hope the winning bidder knows exactly what he was pursuing. Luckily the price stayed low, so it appears that everyone else saw it.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

Here you go

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c.../50073-82303.s

Thanks for posting! I have only admittedly seen a handful of these in person so I’m not an expert, but I’ve always admired them. Now having seen photos, I would tend to agree that that repair was not done with care or in the spirit of the piece. That appears to have been done by a hack with a soldering iron. And the fact that either A) they saw it and chose not to mention it or B ) missed it entirely, would have me running from this AH altogether.

[ooo-ribay]

Who “repaired” that? 9th grade shop class?

[ruth-gehrig]

This was a real professional repair on a trophy i bought about 4-5 years ago online. I can't remember the details but do remember the pics didn't show any of this. I don't recall ever seeing this particular trophy before and have wondered if the player even belonged on top of this ball from the repair job! Needless to say I returned the trophy and got my money back after getting ebay involved.

[perezfan]

Yes, I would wager that figural bater was added at a later date. Really looks "off" as compared to other legit examples.

[murphusa]

has the dramatic price drop on the Spalding Trophy's in all auctions etc due to damage or have they lost their luster

[ruth-gehrig]

I was kind of wondering the same thing Jim. Seems like they have softened a bit doesnt it?

[murphusa]

I know the Pitcher that Lelands had some issue and the two from Hunts lasts month were on sale at the Philly show for $4000 and $4500

[MGHPro]

I think they’re just getting back to reality . They’re scarce but not impossible to find and there has been a good amount of them on the market lately . Plus , a lot of the people buying them up have made their set so you lose that demand unless they want to upgrade.

[CarltonHendricks]

Originally Posted by MGHPro

I think they’re just getting back to reality . They’re scarce but not impossible to find and there has been a good amount of them on the market lately . Plus , a lot of the people buying them up have made their set so you lose that demand unless they want to upgrade.

Good observation...As a general overview I've been taken back at times at the prices asked, and I think they sold for...Seems like they got up pushing towards $6,000.00 plus...IMO they are so spectacular that in relation to some of the prices I've seen contemporary/semi-contemporary sports memorabilia sell for even $6,000.00 seems like a bargain...but I'm a figural freak...I think "scarce but not impossible" is a very good analogy Matt...

As for repairs affecting value...IMO it depends on how well the repair was done...or how noticeable it is...That one in HA that started this thread was pretty rough...and needs redone...If I recall, and check with Mark Steinberg on this...but I think that catcher is one of the toughest...If getting it fixed runs around say $700.00 and you add it to the $1,320.00 hammer then $2,020.00 seems like a pretty good move...since other than the breach points the rest of it is in pretty nice shape...

Speaking of ebb and flow of prices...I remember I think it was at the 1993 National...my first one...and Mark Rucker was set up...I knew him a little because I had bought some stuff from him by phone...I remember he bought two spaldings there at the show...I guess I couldn't help ask what he gave and he said $1,200.00...I think each...that must have been a lot in 1993 because I remember I was wowed...



https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=243525
One of my best finds over 35 or so years going to the once a month Alameda Point Antiques Fair was the fielder...story linked above...

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by CarltonHendricks

Good observation...As a general overview I've been taken back at times at the prices asked, and I think they sold for...Seems like they got up pushing towards $6,000.00 plus...IMO they are so spectacular that in relation to some of the prices I've seen contemporary/semi-contemporary sports memorabilia sell for even $6,000.00 seems like a bargain...but I'm a figural freak...I think "scarce but not impossible" is a very good analogy Matt...

As for repairs affecting value...IMO it depends on how well the repair was done...or how noticeable it is...That one in HA that started this thread was pretty rough...and needs redone...If I recall, and check with Mark Steinberg on this...but I think that catcher is one of the toughest...If getting it fixed runs around say $700.00 and you add it to the $1,320.00 hammer then $2,020.00 seems like a pretty good move...since other than the breach points the rest of it is in pretty nice shape...

Speaking of ebb and flow of prices...I remember I think it was at the 1993 National...my first one...and Mark Rucker was set up...I knew him a little because I had bought some stuff from him by phone...I remember he bought two spaldings there at the show...I guess I couldn't help ask what he gave and he said $1,200.00...I think each...that must have been a lot in 1993 because I remember I was wowed...



https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=243525
One of my best finds over 35 or so years going to the once a month Alameda Point Antiques Fair was the fielder...story linked above...

Awesome post Carlron, and spot-on as usual...

Yes, the Catcher is perhaps the toughest of the five. But the last two to hit the market have both been the Catcher. So go figure...

I would rank the Spaldings as follows, in terms of rarity...

Rarest: Catcher and Batter
Middle: Pitcher
Easier: First Baseman and Fielder

Not that any of them are easy... all 5 are tough to find, especially in nice condition. The problem-free Catcher in REA went for $6K with the BP. Slightly less than previous examples, but still a strong price...

https://bid.robertedwardauctions.com...?itemid=204741

I have a suspicion that fewer people are currently collecting these, so it is an opportune time to buy. Very few pieces of baseball memorabilia are as beautiful as these glorious figurals.