Ted Williams/Mike Epstein 1969 Topps - Value Question

[WhatsNext]

Hi everyone, I know this isn't a typical post for this section, but I'm not sure where else it would go and I need some advice.

I've been offered the chance to buy a dual signed copy of the 1969 Topps "Ted Shows How" card, featuring Ted Williams as manager of the Senators with player Mike Epstein. I'm confident the autographs are authentic and the card is in pretty decent condition (both signed in blue, Epstein in sharpie and Ted in ballpoint).

I haven't been able to find any comps online, and I really have no idea what a good price for this card would be. Has anyone seen any sales or have an idea of what a fair price would be? Thanks!

[swarmee]

The attached image shows records of PSA authenticated sales of just the Williams signature, albeit a few years ago. Not sure that having Epstein would increase the value. He's still alive, and autograph collectors care much more about Williams, especially since his head thawed out, he won't be able to sign anymore.
Maybe $750 now if it was PSA authenticated. The cards shown also have nice eye appeal; if the condition of the one you're talking about is not good, you might be looking at less than these sales?

[butchie_t]

Originally Posted by WhatsNext

Hi everyone, I know this isn't a typical post for this section, but I'm not sure where else it would go and I need some advice.

I've been offered the chance to buy a dual signed copy of the 1969 Topps "Ted Shows How" card, featuring Ted Williams as manager of the Senators with player Mike Epstein. I'm confident the autographs are authentic and the card is in pretty decent condition (both signed in blue, Epstein in sharpie and Ted in ballpoint).

I haven't been able to find any comps online, and I really have no idea what a good price for this card would be. Has anyone seen any sales or have an idea of what a fair price would be? Thanks!

I think you are better off looking at this as an autographed card of Ted Williams with ‘what’s his name signing too’ if that makes any sense.

Good luck to you on getting this from a Senators fan!

Butch

[7nohitter]

I'm shocked sales are that high. Hell, I'd go $200 max for Williams. Epstein defacing the card brings the value way down IMO.

[sreader3]

I think some people are living in the past. A clean Ted Williams Sharpie auto on an EX or better Topps card from his managerial years, authenticated by one of the majors, is easily worth $800 or more in my opinion. I don’t think Epstein’s supplemental auto would make much of a difference on price. Depends on the collector.

Edited to add: If Ted’s auto is ballpoint then maybe drop 25% — so let’s say $600+.

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by sreader3

I think some people are living in the past. A clean Ted Williams Sharpie auto on an EX or better Topps card from his managerial years, authenticated by one of the majors, is easily worth $800 or more in my opinion. I don’t think Epstein’s supplemental auto would make much of a difference on price. Depends on the collector.

Edited to add: If Ted’s auto is ballpoint then maybe drop 25% — so let’s say $600+.

If you think this is where Williams autos are at, I will sell all of mine today....many bought here over the past 10 years for a quarter of the prices you're claiming.

[Lordstan]

Not sure where the value of $800 is coming g from, but I don't see a Williams card like that being more than around $500 on average.
Dual signed might sell at the high end of the range to someone who is collecting that set. They will pay a bit more for the dual signatures to save time and risk sending it for the other person to sign. If someone just wants a signed card of Williams, they might play less for the dual signed. The second auto might detract from Ted in their mind.
Here are a couple examples that I used for my analysis.


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[swarmee]

Find the right buyer and wait to sell, you get closer to the high end. Need to sell fast or run at auction and you sell for half or so.

When people come onto a site looking for a value, they're looking for a reasonable range. I think we've already presented that.

[sreader3]

I follow mostly 1972 Topps. The ‘72 ballpoint that sold for $650 is an uggo. I would not let my ‘72 go for less than $1K and have confidence I could get it.

I would pay $500+ for an EX+ Ted card with flawless PSA/DNA authenticated Sharpie auto from ‘69, ‘70 or ‘71 and am not even in the market. PM me.

To each his own.

[etsmith]

Many people prefer ballpoint autographs because they're more likely to be vintage, a lot of people don't really like sharpie autographs on vintage cards. I don't really care either way as long as the autograph is clear and easy to see.

[Kaneen]

Sold last night in Love of the Game auction...card in not that great condition, BLACK sharpie signature graded a 9 (grader must have been severely vision impaired - sharpie very streaky on the "T")...including the buyer's penalty = $1,560.

Screenshot_20230820_044826_Chrome.jpg

[rhettyeakley]

I am one of those that prefers a strong fountain pen or ballpoint over a sharpie. I kinda hate fat sharpie sigs.

I cringe at nearly every Tito Francona sig I see on vintage cards because he loved the fat sharpie…just ugly 🤣

[egri]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

I am one of those that prefers a strong fountain pen or ballpoint over a sharpie. I kinda hate fat sharpie sigs.

Same here, with the exception of the ones I got TTM.