Ruth market?

miwlvrn

I have an uncut panel from the mid 1930's. One of the two on it is Babe Ruth. The other is another big name star too. It will definitely qualify for addition to the Babe Ruth master set composition once it has been graded. I need to decide whether to cut the panel and submit each item separately or to sub as a whole. Either way, the grade potential is likely high, at least a 6, maybe up to a 9. It/they will receive a grade either way. I know how much the other side of it, if cut, would bring in sale once graded. What is the general opinion for approximate market value for a rare mid 1930's Ruth that would end up being a 1 of 1 for quite some time unless someone else was lucky enough to track one down (unlikely though technically possible)? I'd be curious even to hear a broad range if not guessing a specific figure. I'd like to maximize my return and am trying to figure out if that would best be if it is subbed as a panel or two separate items. I apologize for being vague, but I am not ready to show my hand at this point in case I might be able to find another one someday and would rather keep the acquisition cost as low as possible. Thanks a lot.

vols1

Is it in the standard catalog?

steel75

You would think a panel would be rarer than a single.

swish54

Originally posted by: steel75
You would think a panel would be rarer than a single.

That would be my guess as well.

Bliggity

It sounds like you might be talking about the Ruth/Cobb W551 panel (although that was 1921, not mid-30s)? If so, I definitely would not cut the panel. Much more value for the uncut panel. Plus, there are a limited number of uncut panels left, and you can always buy the individual cards that have already been cut, so why destroy the panel?

As for market value, of course it all depends on what type of card it actually is (W vs R vs E, etc), and whether it is really an actual 1-of-1, which would pretty much be unheard of for a 1930s card. Remember that most of these types of cards are in SGC holders, so it may be a PSA 1-of-1 on the pop reports, but there may be many more out there.

Of course now I'm really interested in knowing what it is!

JoeBanzai

While the panel might be rarer, that certainly doesn't make it more valuable. Certainly cards are easier to handle than a sheet. Generally speaking, IF the cards receive grades, cutting the sheet (how many cards here?) MIGHT make you more money. It is kind of a shame to do so though.



You might want to contact some of the Ruth collectors and see if one of them offers you big money for the sheet. There are some heavy hitters collecting the Babe!



Since you didn't say what the card is, my caution would be that PSA might not grade them because they are hand cut, or if they did, they might not allow them in the registry. You say it will definitely qualify for the Ruth registry? Remember if the cards were issued as singles, PSA might not allow them. Also regarding PSA's decision making, I have a 1963 Post Alpha Bits complete box Harmon Killebrew I found at the National a few years back that PSA graded and refuses to allow me to add to my Master set. They make some incredibly strange decisions at PSA!



Without a better idea of what you are talking about, I can't give you much of an answer, except be careful before cutting.

miwlvrn

Thanks a lot for the replies so far, much appreciated. Nope, the panel is a mid 1930's, not the Ruth/Cobb. I've never seen another one and I've collected this particular set for a while. Though relatively obscure, it is an American issue. PSA grades singles and panels from the set, all w/ numerical grades, not just "Authentic". They are intended to be hand-cut by design. I've cut a bunch myself and have received numerical grades in most instances, even as high as Mint 9. Monetarily speaking, keeping it as a panel means that it can be added into the registry composition as a separate and additional line item as compared with just the single items. So even if someone were to find one or the other, the chance of finding another uncut panel is unlikely. I definitely have a buyer for the non-Ruth side, and the price is fairly high no matter whether it is a single or a panel, so I'm happy with that portion. What I don't have a handle on is if it were left as a panel, if it went to auction, would the two separate lists of collectors (Ruth vs. non-Ruth) compete to make the single panel hammer price exceed the total price of the two if sold separately? My inclination is probably the Ruth guys are going to pay a certain price level regardless of single or panel, so therefore does it double the profit to sell individually even though a panel is more rare? I have plenty of experience selling oddball & foreign pre-war 1/1 items that are on PSA registry compositions but most are not baseball and none have been something as high profile as a Ruth, so I just don't know what a reasonable expectation is.

sbfinley

Is the panel vertical rather than horizontal?

vols1

R337 Eclipse Import sample?

JoeBanzai

Originally posted by: miwlvrn
Thanks a lot for the replies so far, much appreciated. Nope, the panel is a mid 1930's, not the Ruth/Cobb. I've never seen another one and I've collected this particular set for a while. Though relatively obscure, it is an American issue. PSA grades singles and panels from the set, all w/ numerical grades, not just "Authentic". They are intended to be hand-cut by design. I've cut a bunch myself and have received numerical grades in most instances, even as high as Mint 9. Monetarily speaking, keeping it as a panel means that it can be added into the registry composition as a separate and additional line item as compared with just the single items. So even if someone were to find one or the other, the chance of finding another uncut panel is unlikely. I definitely have a buyer for the non-Ruth side, and the price is fairly high no matter whether it is a single or a panel, so I'm happy with that portion. What I don't have a handle on is if it were left as a panel, if it went to auction, would the two separate lists of collectors (Ruth vs. non-Ruth) compete to make the single panel hammer price exceed the total price of the two if sold separately? My inclination is probably the Ruth guys are going to pay a certain price level regardless of single or panel, so therefore does it double the profit to sell individually even though a panel is more rare? I have plenty of experience selling oddball & foreign pre-war 1/1 items that are on PSA registry compositions but most are not baseball and none have been something as high profile as a Ruth, so I just don't know what a reasonable expectation is.

Sounds like PSA will grade them, so that answers that. Must pe a smallish panel if PSA will grade the entire panel.

On a personal note, I would hate to see it cut up. If you have an idea of what the individual cards go for, you might get the entire panel graded and offer it with a reserve. If it looks like you will make a lot more by cutting it up, you could do it then. I don't have any idea of the uncut panel collectors out there. I might add that the value of the panel might go way up in the future as more collectors realize how scarce they are. Apples and oranges, but the unopened market has become insane and you don't even know if any of the cards inside have ANY value. Your panel has Ruth so you know it's as good as it gets!
Good luck on whatever you decide!!!

CollectorAtWork

I'm curious what this card could be, especially since there were not many strip card sets released in the 1930s, as compared to the 1920s, at least. If it is a Ruth card that was issued during his playing days (1935 and before), and not seen before, it could be worth a considerable amount, although being a part of a strip card set somewhat will depress its value. Still, I think regardless, you would do well. I think others are guessing the card may be an Eclipse Import salesman sample, a panel which was sold on Heritage a few years ago. Or it could be a panel that is a non-salesman sample, which is rare. That's as good a guess that I have, also.

miwlvrn

Thanks again for the replies. No, not a strip card set, or Elipse or Import Sample.



Any guesses on approximate range? $500? $1,000? $2,000? $3k? More than that?

miwlvrn

Originally posted by: sbfinley

Is the panel vertical rather than horizontal?

Horizontal.

jfkheat

Originally posted by: miwlvrn

Thanks again for the replies. No, not a strip card set, or Elipse or Import Sample.



Any guesses on approximate range? $500? $1,000? $2,000? $3k? More than that?

Without knowing what the card is I would guess the range somewhere between $10 and $100,000.

James

CollectorAtWork

Right, without knowing the card, hard to estimate the value. It could be between $500 to $50,000, seriously. If it's a card like the Buttercream Ruth, it would be on the high end of that scale.

1954

If it is Buttercream you would be crazy to cut it down.

sbfinley

There is literally no way to value it blindly. If it's something already cataloged a quick google search will let you know if it has been previously on the market in the form you have. If you can't come across a previous sale or even a scan of it uncut I honestly don't see how you would stumble across a second one.

JoeBanzai

Originally posted by: jfkheat

Originally posted by: miwlvrn
Thanks again for the replies. No, not a strip card set, or Elipse or Import Sample.

Any guesses on approximate range? $500? $1,000? $2,000? $3k? More than that?

Without knowing what the card is I would guess the range somewhere between $10 and $100,000.
James

+1

miwlvrn

True enough.



More relevant question: for Ruth collectors/buyers, does it affect the value, regardless of what that price level would be, cutting to a single vs. leaving as a panel where there are not any others of it graded by PSA, SGC or BVG in either form? Or do they not care which way of the two it is and they would buy it for the same price either way?

bounce

you're asking a bunch of questions that aren't really answerable without knowing what it is or what it looks like.

how can anyone tell you whether they'd rather have a single or a panel without seeing it first?

rarity isn't the only consideration, and I'd submit that for really hardcore collectors what it LOOKS like matters greatly in estimated value.

sounds like you have something cool, but as soon as you slab it it's gonna pop so everyone will know then so unless you think you can find another one before you slab this one, I'm not sure it makes any difference.

I'm confident it's worth more than $10, i'll set the offer at $11 how about?

miwlvrn

You're right.



I've been sitting on it about a year so far waiting to spot another before slabbing but no luck. Also never found much on previous sales either. I keep thinking I'll send it in with my next order, and when the time comes I find an excuse to hold off a little longer.

bounce

CHICKEN! . just send it in man! You can do it!