Demise of Beckett Vintage Mag

Mantlefan

Just got a notice that my subscription to Beckett Vintage Sports magazine is over as the mag is no longer published. Sorry to see it go as there were some good articles in it [Keith Olberman had a nice piece on those Gold-border T205's]. The good thing is that there won't be any more articles by BMW spamming their latest auction.

KallMaloneSay

I'll miss it too. It dropped off when they stopped listing until 1980. I would have liked to see it list all the Kellogg's, 59 Fleer Ted Williams, and oddball like Kahn's and Redman every month. Even if they kept the prices the same most months, at least people would have an up to date way to price those issues. Instead they gave us "Bonus listings" for these sets every year or two. It could have been a really solid magazine, but they never put any effort into it.
Jason

CON40

It was their most informative publication by far. (Despite the ham-handed BMW ads.) But, they have been letting it slip for quite some time. Jason is right about the price guide. At one time, they were very inclusive of some lesser vintage sets, but as they cut those back, the editorial support for vintage seemed to go with it.

Too bad. Now, if they'd only suspend their Beckett Vinatge Grading service, then they'd be doing the hobby a good turn!

mikeschmidt

<< <i>Just got a notice that my subscription to Beckett Vintage Sports magazine is over as the mag is no longer published. Sorry to see it go as there were some good articles in it [Keith Olberman had a nice piece on those Gold-border T205's]. The good thing is that there won't be any more articles by BMW spamming their latest auction. >>



Doesn't Keith still write for VBCB?

JW

Does anyone know which issue of Beckett Vintage Sports the Olberman T205 article was in or where I might get a copy of just that article?
Thanks,
Jason

RedRomad275

Sorry to heat that. I read that every now and again and they seemed to have some pretty good articles. It seems SMR doesn't haqve enough articles.

hojodojonono

The days of price guide books are over. The pictures and list were as close as some people got to see actual cards. Now the internet has turned that old book into a movie and you can see and buy the actual cards on the computer. You don't need the prices, it's worth what you can buy it for on Ebay. Looking online and Ebay in color beats a b&w price guide. Beckett can move it all online and not spend the money on books.

estang

I didn't realize this. As a subscriber to the publication, I received no notification from them. Are they planning on refunding my money? Who should I contact? Not a word...disappointing.... Already dropped my SCD subscription.

Oh well....not a good sign for the hobby...

bocaratondefense

I talked to the telephone customer service person. She said I will get Baseball Beckett in lieu of the Beckett Collectibles that I would have received. That's too bad. I thought the magazine had some interesting articles when it concentrated on vintage.

Mantlefan

Yep, with the end of the Vintage magazine, I get 2 years of the Baseball magazine. I only collect 1950's and 60's stuff. I'm real happy. How much is that 2003 Bowman Topps Chrome Refractor Blue Matsui card?

MorrellMan

<< <i>The days of price guide books are over. The pictures and list were as close as some people got to see actual cards. Now the internet has turned that old book into a movie and you can see and buy the actual cards on the computer. You don't need the prices, it's worth what you can buy it for on Ebay. Looking online and Ebay in color beats a b&w price guide. Beckett can move it all online and not spend the money on books. >>



This troubles me - pricing values have always been determined by monitoring as many sales in as many markets as possible. To simply rely on the latest ebay sale is too capricious and flies in the face of accurate statistical analysis and stable marketing. I'd hate to think the value of any card is based upon the high bid for an example of that card viewed during a 7 day period during which the attention of many potential buyers may have been drawn to something like, oh, let's say, a massive media spin on burying a former president.

2 cents from me

jason045

I knew they were doomed when they started running ads for PRO grading.

Lothar52

Griffins

<<Doesn't Keith still write for VBCB? >>

He might still be writing for VCBC, but if they never get the issue to press no one will ever see it. I think he's averaging about 2-3 issues a year.

Mantlefan

Right on target. Their last issue promised a new editor and issues every 6 weeks. That was 4 months ago! I have sent emails with no response. VBCB might be DOA!

TCC

<< <i>Right on target. Their last issue promised a new editor and issues every 6 weeks. That was 4 months ago! I have sent emails with no response. VBCB might be DOA! >>



I was wondering why no one mentioned them as a vintage resource during our discussion the other day. Maybe this helps to explain it. Have any of you been a subscriber to this though? What did you think of it?

-Bob