Auction of the Copeland Collection, 3/91

bobsbbcards

Hi,

I was busy earning about $20,000 in 1991 when Sotheby's auctioned James Copeland's collection. If I borrowed the annual salaries of 22 of my closest friends, I would still have come up short against Mr. Gretzky and Mr. Allen in the bidding for THE Honus Wagner card (but a close second). Now, 13 years later, with a much better paying job, I can afford to buy the catalog from said auction on eBay for $5.00 (+$5.00 S&H).



Outside of the Wagner card, I had little if any knowledge of what sold during that auction, or what kind of prices were realized. If any of you participated in this auction, I'm sure we would be very interested in learning what you purchased (or tried to purchased). Also, I would be more than willing to look up any items that you think might have been for sale (after a few days of looking through the catalog, there is not much that Mr. Copeland did not own). I also received the sale results sheet with all of the hammer prices (10% buyer's premium...10 not 15 or 17.5!).

Bob

koby

Anybody remember the reason why Jim Copeland had to sell his entire collection?

interchanges

Anybody remember the reason why Jim Copeland had to sell his entire collection?

I don't know Koby but if he had waited ten years he would have tripled his sale. I think. (maybe not unlike Halper, it almost became a burdon).

Whatyou think Murcerfan?

Griffins

The story I had heard (I wasn't collecting then)was that Jim Copeland (owner of a decent size chain of sporting goods stores in California) went on a spree buying every high grade card in sight for about 18 months. There have been stories that surfaced that people in the know were paying stupid prices for oversized cards and trimming them down to normal size. Prices on cards went shooting way up, then he sold and they settled back down for a while.
I have no idea why he sold- maybe he was one of those guys that became obsessed only to lose interest. I know that in L.A. at least Copeland's had a small presence that diminished greatly about that time as Sports Chalet took over the sporting goods business. Oshmans went down the tubes about the same time, and Big 5 began its descent as well. Maybe that had something to do with it.
When they started auctioning off the Copeland catalogs on ebay a year or so ago they trickled them out slowly, and they were going for about 35. At 5 bucks they are well worth it. Borders occasionally has the slip cased Halper catalog for 5. as well.
My Copeland catalog didn't include the realized prices, if anyone has them please pm me.

qualitycards

<< <i>but if he had waited ten years he would have tripled his sale >>


IC - maybe so! And if he sold it 5 years earlier he might have gotten 1/3 what he did.
When you need money, you sell it and hope you get more then what it cost, and ya don't look back...jay

Basilone

Griffins-

PM Sent.

mikeschmidt

Griffins:

I have one copy of prices realized. When I next come across it, I'll happily send you a copy.

Best-
ms

bobsbbcards

Hi again,

I should have just done this originally, but here you go. They should print fine from your browser:

Copeland Auction Sale Results Page 1

Copeland Auction Sale Results Page 2

Copeland Auction Sale Results Page 3

Copeland Auction Sale Results Page 4

Bob

Griffins

Thanks to everyone that posted and pm'd and faxed the results. Its really great that you just mention you're looking for something and 6 guys hand it to you.