Need some feedback about my appraisal of an item..

GatorGuy

So a friend of mine asked me to give him a ball park figure regarding a Riddell Helmet that has the signatures from Both teams/coaches from the 1996 Orange Bowl.

Originally I based my estimates on the values of helmets that have Bobby Bowden's signature, and Lou Holtz Signature which usually go for apprx. $300 dollars for either.
Since the helmet has both of these, I figured $600 for the coaches signature, another $300 for the rest of both teams, and approximately $250 due to the 96' Orange Bowls historic value (last O.B. at the Orange Bowl Stadium)

I gave him an estimate of $1250.

What do you think about this estimate, he's trying to sell it for $1900 on ebay and thinks that I'm crazy for saying its too much..

Here are the pictures and auction on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260727583056&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_1329wt_893

mikeschmidt

I think $1,250 is way too much.

Much like a team-signed baseball often has less value than a single-signed baseball of the star player, adding up the Bowden / Holtz auto values and then more for the rest of the team does not seem to fly.

Hope your friend has good luck on the sale. I think he would be lucky to get any offers of even $1,000-

Sean1125

link

Mdube16

I would say a better estimate of its value is $300-$400 if it were authenticated (PSA/DNA, JSA). As is I would say it would bring $200-$250 if it were listed at .99 starting bid and no reserve. The two teams were not historic in any way and it being the last Orange Bowl game held in the OB doesnt effect its value. Its a nice looking item all said, just not particularly valuable.

fkw

its modern, and its not game used.

There is a limit of value for those 2 reasons.

Modern mass signed stuff like that are fairly common, seen in charity auctions often. Not saying that exact item/combo is common, but there are a ton of signed items signed just so they can be auction for charity later. $$ was the object when they set up the signing, unlike something signed in say 1930 or 1950.

The scarcity/demand would increase if it was older or game used.

or if there were any future super stars in the game that signed it.....

My guess would be in the $500-$1000 range, if you found the right buyer.

thenavarro

I'm a Notre Dame alum, and know a lot of Notre Dame collectors, and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt IMO that the usual Notre Dame collectors that are used to shelling out big $$$ for nice Notre Dame stuff, wouldn't pay too much for that helmet because we lost that game. I would think your friend will get lucky if he gets offers of $500 or higher.

Mike

GatorGuy

Thanks for the replies everyone. I can't wait to shove this in his face! lol

BTW: I'm not a sports collector or appraiser, so don't think I was trying to give him a professional appraisal. He just asked my personal opinion and after some googling, this is what I came up with. I thought the helmet was pretty awesome, so I guess I was overly generous!

smtjoy

Good luck with selling it but would agree with everyone here that the value should be in the $300-400 range. But always worth a try to run it for a month or two on ebay and try.

mtcards

Outside of the Bowden and Holtz sigs, none of the autos are of superstar quality. Since its not authenticated, anyone willing to pay that much would generally try and authenticate it. I would go with the others estimates, but think that the most this item would sell for "as is" is in the $250 range.

NickM

A good catalog auction could probably bring a 4-figure bid for this item.

I don't think he's crazy for asking $1900 for it on eBay - most people figure BINs are set at at least double the worth of the item, leaving lots of room to negotiate.

Nick

vladguerrero

too generous, but I'm not sure, since I only collect Pokemon cards.

GatorGuy

You guys are great, thanks for all the replies! He's seen this thread and has decided to reduce the price significantly after the auction ends.