1964 Sandy Koufax Tropicana postcard... why such interest?.. Grades are in... scans added.
1966CUDA
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See first two links... just wondering why there is such interest in this postcard?
milehighcardco.com/1964_tropicana_motel_postcard_sandy_koufax__dodger-lot52371.aspx
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Koufax stuff is in high demand, this looks like something that doesn't come up too often.
You could blame it on the registry or just say people are trying to complete their sets.
Pop report says there's a 10.
From smalltraditions.com:
Among the rarest and most coveted Sandy Koufax items from his playing days are the 1964 Tropicana Motel Postcards, which advanced Koufax collectors know can be found in two variations, one picturing the Brooklyn-born southpaw poolside at his new Hollywood hotel in street or "civilian" clothes and the other in his Dodgers uniform. Just how desirable are these keepsakes from the famed Tropicana Motor Hotel's gift shop? Last year, Mile High Card Company auctioned off a PSA 8 NM-MT copy of the Dodgers uniform variation for $12,782. Granted, it was one of only a dozen copies ever graded by PSA, and it ranked as the second-highest on record, the only PSA 8 on the pop report with just a single PSA 8.5 copy graded higher, but that's some serious coin for a souvenir that probably cost no more than a nickel.
What many of even the most accomplished Koufax collectors don't know, however, is that these desirable postcards can been found in at least two other variations. One of those shows the pool at the at the Tropicana Motor Hotel but with no Koufax, only his facsimile signature on front in red ink. The other is a larger version of the Dodgers Uniform variation that measures about 7x5 instead of 6x4. Unlike the standard-sized version of the same card, this one shows Sandy's facsimile signature in blue ink on back. For several years, an unscrupulous seller on eBay has been pawning off reprinted copies of this card as the real deal, but they're relatively easy fakes to spot. The print on both surfaces appears noticeably shiny and inauthentic, and there is no facsimile on back. In fact, the fakes appear to be resized versions of the standard card, intentionally made to look larger in order to fool buyers into thinking they're the scarcer, large format variation.
Proudly offered in this lot is the first and only example of any variation to ever make the Gem Mint 10 grade at PSA. An exceptionally desirable item with broad appeal to both baseball and music fans, the historical and cultural significance of the Tropicana Motor Hotel is undeniable. Although Koufax only owned it for a brief period during the mid 1960s, it was during this time that many of the most famous musicians from the counterculture began to make the place their home. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks, even beat poet William S. Burroughs all stayed at the Tropicana. According to an article in Los Angeles Magazine, "The joint was just a hop, skip, and blurry-eyed stumble from the Troubadour and Barney’s Beanery, and as the rock music scene grew up around those venues, the Tropicana became its unofficial HQ." This transition didn't fully occur until Jerry Heiner purchased the property from Koufax later in the decade, and it's unclear weather the legendary Koufax ever crossed paths with any of the many rock legends who eventually made his hotel their hazy headquarters, but it's a fascinating and fun trip to imagine the possibilities.
IG: goatcollectibles23
The biggest lesson I've learned in this hobby, and in life, is that if you have a strong conviction, you owe it to yourself to see it through. Don't sell yourself, or your investments, short. Unless the facts change. Then sell it all.
^ Excellent info. Thanks. Never knew this card existed.
Andy
The reason I asked is because I picked up the attached auction back in May . The auction was poorly advertised as you can see... but click on the other photos in the auction. It also came with the TWO Tropicana postcards in a picture frame. The seller did not advertise the postcards!! I took them out of the frame and they are really nice. They are both at PSA now. Hopefully these are the real deal. I will post the results.
-Claude
https://ebay.com/itm/1964-Topps-136-Sandy-Koufax-1963-World-Series-Game-1-Dodgers-Yankees-HOF-/183204434924?nordt=true&redirect=mobile&nma=true&si=2fhliZqjf8hLymReRnpeVRYGke0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Wow, that's a huge score if they're the real deal.
They produced two sizes, you have the larger size with the blue facsimile autograph on the back.
https://kennerstartinglineup.blogspot.com/
If they are the larger size, it doesn't look like PSA differentiates the versions? The pop report doesn't show different sizes.
Grades are in.. pretty excited on the grades based on recent sell prices!
Line # Item # Cert # Grade Description Type
1 1 41857608 EXCELLENT-MINT 6 1964 Tropicana Motel Postcard Sandy Koufax Postcard-Dodger Uniform
2 1 41857609 EXCELLENT-MINT 6 1964 Tropicana Motel Postcard Sandy Koufax Postcard-Dodger Uniform
Holy sh$t. So you got maybe $12k in postcArds for less than $5? Not a bad buy!
Well, someone had to one-up the guy with all the Brady RC's from Goodwill recently.
Edit: Revising based on auction dates. Looks like the card has had quite a spike in sales value over the past 5 years. Here is an auction that closed in 2013 with a pair of them, a 7 and a 5, and it ended at about $1,875 for the two.
https://memorylaneinc.com/site/bids/bidplace?itemid=28005
Well, I am hoping the recent spike continues. The recent SGC 3.5 sold for $2500 on Ebay. I am thinking of sending one to PWCC. I also had a Dodgers team postcard graded. The 1962-65 Team card #55773 also came back a PSA 6 and includes Koufax..
What did you get on the Dodgers team PC? Is it a '59?
Arthur
Congrats on a nice find. Golden opportunity to turn this into some meaningful pieces to your collection or help pay some bills. Great job!
Here are scans. Probably going to keep one and sell one.
Really nice and like that you plan to keep one.
Really nice pickup Claude. Wow!
Here is a scan of the reverse