Barn find

72skywalker

My friend’s wife is a house realtor. They were cleaning out a house and come across a binder of baseball, football, and basketball cards. The family already went through the house and took what they wanted. He told them that there was a binder of old cards and they told him to take them otherwise they would be thrown away. He gave to me to look through. The tears were 1961 and 1962. The football had good stuff, there was a 1962 mantle as seen in the picture but I think the treasure is 38/66 cards in the set of 1961 fleet basketball. There was no chamberlain rookie but it has the Robertson, west, Baylor and plenty of other hall of famers. I know that this is an important set for basketball. He told me to take anything I want but I told him I couldn’t do it with a good conscience. They are worth too much. I might buy some but part of me thinks the basketball should be pulled separately and tried to consign. I I overvaluing these basketball cards?

ElMagoStrikeZone

They were about to be thrown away. Rescue them. It's a good group of cards which will net you a nice return after fees, etc. if you consign them. Good luck. Nice find.

mintonlypls

Sky walker...

Those '61 Fleer Basketball are in very nice condition...yes, there are centering issues, but the cards are beautiful! I agree that the '61 Fleer Basketball cards are where the money is at.

TennisCoach

There are a lot of good cards in that barn find. You should certainly try to buy some of the HOF players. Like all of those in IMG_6855.

1951WheatiesPremium

You take or buy them.

Then sell them to me.

😁

Cs223406

The Oscar is stunning. If I could have one card from the lot, that would be it.

handyman

I put them there for a reason. I’ll need them back now no questions asked.

MooseDog

Offer to pay the family a reasonable amount, split the proceeds with the realtor friend, or take some of the money and donate to a good cause, or somehow pay it forward. That should ease your conscience and bring some positive karma.

handyman

Totally. Have fun with it or do something nice for others. You had some good luck share it If you like to.

Cards look great btw love that set! Pages look old too so who ever bought them probably paid nothing for them or got them when they were young. So nobody is losing money spent

georgebailey2

I think people should be able to enjoy a windfall if it's given to them.
[Edit - for clarification, if this was obviously more than, I don't know, $20k "as is", I would let everyone involved know and get an agreement/contract together.]

Before you get too excited, there seems to be a bit of work ahead before anything gets realized. And, whatever you do, it's technically taxable whether you get a 1099 or not.

Find out what you think you'd net and the time and effort involved.

Then you can decide whether the family gets a bottle of wine or a years worth of Omaha Steaks and your friend gets a dinner at a nice chain or Michelin star restaurant.

BaltimoreYankee

..."He told me to take anything I want but I told him I couldn’t do it with a good conscience. They are worth too much."

That is a beautiful statement right there. You're a good person, Skywalker. The force is definitely with you.

72skywalker

I went to our local
Card show today with the cards
Just to see what they would offer so I know what I should either give my friend if I buy them or if I sell them for him and his wife, what should they expect. I had to laugh when one dealer (who I know is a bit shady) told me that the west is worth about $200, the Robinson and $200, and the Baylor about $150. He said the mantle is also about $200. He said fair price for all the cards show including the entire binder would be $900. I told him I had to let my friend know before I do anything. He was pushing to make a deal right on the spot. I know he was lowballing a lot. There was 38/66 of the complete set of the basketball and the mantle plus about 36 1961 and 62 football with lots of stars. He was not happy when I told him I had to wait. I am not sure if he thought I was new to the hobby or not.

1959

I would send some to PSA then deduct that from whatever you sell them for. Heritage is a good auction. Then split the profit with the one that gave you the cards.

ElMagoStrikeZone

If you send any of the cards to PSA, you'll be an old fart in a rocking chair telling stories to your grandkids before you ever see them again. You can do one of two things: Consider sending the lot to Greg Morris Cards on consignment. You haven't shown the football cards yet, but if there's good HOFers there, so much the better. Your other option, of course, is to sell on eBay yourself. If you make a deal with the guy who introduced you to this find, split the take and everyone comes away happy. Personally, I'd strongly recommend GMC. Contact them via their website. Send them a few photos of the cards to verify their interest. The cards will gain a huge amount of attention and sell for probably much better overall returns than any dealer would pay you.

1982FBWaxMemories

Greg Morris will get you top dollar

steel75

Who throws away "old" sports cards anymore? Are they living under a rock?

handyman

No I put them there for a reason. And I didn’t think they would be thrown out.

But yeah I agree with others as posted. Send them to gm and don’t waist anymore time asking a show dealer for advise.
Dealer was probably going to do the same after.

72skywalker

Thanks guys

Ahmanfan

@72skywalker said:
Thanks guys

Wow, nice barn find.. I am working on a mid grade 61F set so pretty in tune with prices right now.
(Depending on if these are creases or just honest corner wear, hard to tell)
West 1k-1250
Robertson 750-1k
Baylor 500-750
Russell 500-750

The rest another 2k

I’d estimate the 61f half set at 5k in their current raw condition. Nice find!

coinkat

I admire your effort to do what is right. I am trying to be sympathetic to the family that is selling the property... sort of makes me wonder what got thrown out due to laziness... sad... very sad... that there seems to be little interest in the past and what should matter.