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Author
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Topic: am i missing something here?
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gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-09-2004 04:27 PM
   
Currently $1200!! OK it's real, but poorly cut and IMHO overpriced.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=55956&item=4135894976&rd=1 Paul |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-09-2004 04:44 PM
The auction is for an insert card - part of a set of baseball cards issued commercially by Topps. Apparently, its unique (only one issued out of however many thousand - if not million - cards produced this year). So, in addition to any autograph collectors bidding, the price is probably being driven primarily by card collectors looking to build a complete set (and since there is only one of these, it is reasonable to expect a bidding war among the more devoted collectors). At least that would be my guess... |
spaceflori
Member Posts: 1499
From: Germany
Registered: May 2000
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posted 06-10-2004 02:22 AM
Just to clarify....the signature is not part of the Topps card (I mean Armstrong commercially signed the card for Topps) but comes as a bonus to the Topps card ?Appears to be cut from a letter then, what a shame ! (he could have doubled the current price with the original TLS) Florian |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-10-2004 03:34 AM
Topps itself acquired the letter, cut it, and attached it to their card, packaged it randomly among the thousands/millions of other cards they were selling (along with other signed cards from other notable Americans, per the theme of the set) and then this seller was fortunate enough to purchase the sealed pack with the Armstrong inside.Description found elsewhere on the web: quote:
On the heels of issuing the very popular American Treasures presidential autograph cards, Topps announces that the American Treasures insert will again appear in 2004 Topps Baseball Series 2. This time around, American Treasures will focus on U.S. Historical figures such as Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and Mark Twain. Only one cut signature card will be produced of each subject. Topps Series 2 hits shelves in mid-April. The subjects include: Albert Einstein
Alexander Graham Bell
Douglas MacArthur
Thomas Edison
George Patton
Orville Wright
Charles Lindbergh
Helen Keller
Mark Twain
Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain's given name)
William Randolph Hearst
Jonas Salk
Aaron Burr
Patrick Henry
Robert Kennedy
Daniel Webster
Amelia Earhart
Neil Armstrong
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gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-10-2004 04:14 AM
That's what I call a neat marketing ploy. I wonder what multiplier effect it had on their sales?Paul |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-10-2004 04:27 AM
Insert or bonus cards have become very popular as of late. Topps approach of packaging cut signatures is just one type of card offered. Other sets (and not just from Topps) have included autographs on the card itself, attached material swatches (i.e. NASCAR cards with tire fragments from winning cars), holograms, precious metal (i.e. cards plated in gold or silver), etc. Though I have no specific data to support the assertion, I believe the rise of insert cards has been in-part a response to the Internet's effect of leveling the collecting playing field, so to speak. Whereas it used to be considered rare to pull a rookie card from a sealed pack, there were still hundreds, if not thousands of rookie cards produced and with the Internet uniting collectors worldwide, now it is simple as a search on eBay to find the card you are seeking. Before the 'net, you had to rely on your friends for trades, the local hobby shop, or regional shows. The same cause and effect has been reported to be a concern among the comic book industry where finding rare issues is no longer limited to visiting speciality shops and swap meets. As a result, these made-to-be-collectibles (baseball cards, comics, etc.) are now finding they need to reinvent themselves to keep collectors interested and challenged. [This message has been edited by Robert Pearlman (edited June 10, 2004).] |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-10-2004 06:04 AM
Thanks Robert, that's interesting background. It's a phenomenon unknown to us over this side of the Pond!Paul |
overniagara
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 06-10-2004 07:41 AM
These insert cards always command huge money. They started off with pieces of equipment attached to a card. They issued slices of a Babe Ruth baseball bat, Wayne Gretzky hockey jerseys, etc, and then they went with autographs. They are all instantly valued in the hundreds of dollars, as they are avidly sought-after by card collectors to complete sets, as Robert stated. The sales of the packs which contain these inserts skyrocket as a result---everybody wants the one-of-a-kind. I have never liked the fact they have ruined historic pieces such as a Ruth bat, and now the cutting up of letters and documents. I have even seen Lincoln letters cut up and sold in three-word sections (his handwriting of three words without the autograph), and these sold for $1500. Big business will stop at almost nothing for a marketing edge. It shouldn't be allowed to massacre items such as these. In many cases the items are historic, and are being destroyed,and for huge profit. Andrew Messer [This message has been edited by overniagara (edited June 10, 2004).] | |
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