Will a Honus Wagner Finally Lose Money? + Accused of Price Manipulation + Topps History on the Auction Block
Sports Cards LiveShow Notes
Al Crisafulli of Love of the Game Auctions joins Jeremy Lee and David Chase on Sports Cards Live for a fascinating conversation about vintage cards, auction history, and some of the hobby's most iconic collectibles.
The guys take a close look at a heavily restored T206 Honus Wagner that's back on the auction block yet again. Why has this particular card changed hands so frequently? Why do altered and authentic Wagners seem to appear at auction far more often than numerically graded examples? And could we finally see a Wagner sell for less than its previous purchase price? David shares an interesting theory, while Al offers an auctioneer's perspective on the market for restored examples of the hobby's most famous card.
Al also takes us behind the scenes of Love of the Game Auctions' extraordinary Topps 75th Anniversary Auction, featuring decades of baseball card history, rare variations, test issues, unopened material, and an ambitious catalogue designed to become a lasting reference for collectors. The story behind its creation, and the incredible amount of research that went into it, is worth hearing.
The conversation also continues the debate over when collector passion becomes pumping, as Jeremy addresses the criticism he received for discussing his own Green PMG Wayne Gretzky. Is sharing your enthusiasm for a card the same as trying to influence its value? Al weighs in on where he believes the line should be drawn.
Plus, would Jeremy trade his Green PMG Gretzky for a T206 Wagner? What about his Shoeless Joe Jackson AND the Gretzky? The answers might surprise you.
Another great conversation about collecting, card values, hobby history, and the decisions that make this hobby so interesting.
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More from Sports Cards Live
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What makes a sports card truly iconic? Is it the price, the rarity, the player, its historical significance, or simply how many people recognize it?
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