This is not a link, just an item of interest!

Something for pre-war collectors to keep an eye on: A Cobb T205 ending this Sunday evening (3/7). I'll just include the auction number: 320493783906. It's a PSA4, and I haven't noticed those pop up much. The card is OC front and back, and the seller has a feedback rating about half a percent lower than I'll usually deal with, but there's considerable action nonetheless.

The Mathewson in this set has become a bit of a holy grail for me, so I'm very curious to see how this auction reflects the market for 'authenticated' big fish in the set. I promise I won't make a habit of throwing up ebay stuff. And I don't know the seller; I'm not pimping, I swear! Like I said, the seller's rating is too low for me. I wouldn't bid. I just thought others might also wanna eyeball this one.

That is a card which will never be cracked out of its holder, because even PSA would not give it a 4 again.

Here's a link to the auction for quick access: T205 Cobb on Ebay

There are usually plenty of t205 Cobbs available on ebay on a regular basis - so I think you can afford to be picky until one comes along that meets your price/condition criteria.

TheRiddler wrote:That is a card which will never be cracked out of its holder, because even PSA would not give it a 4 again.

I thought that myself, Riddler. Mighty generous rating. Doesn't PSA get paid based on the value of the card? And doesn't the value jump significantly on these older cards once you go from the 1-to-3's into the 4's, 5's, and 6's? Or am I just being a conspiracy theorist? And/or I don't really know how PSA works.

Anyway, I agree. That's kind of a shabby 4.

I also agree "I don't really know how PSA works"

Yikes. Shouldn't that Cobb be closer to 0.4?

gross

And, unfortunately, that price will be recorded in VCP as a sale for a 4 (with only the front scan) and then be used by buyers to set what an appropriate offer for a 4 should be. I've got an SGC 50 T205 Cobb I'd like to sell, and because there was a single sale of an SGC 50 several months back from a shady seller that went for under $1400, I haven't gotten an offer more then that. It's a fault in the way people use VCP.

The graded card market hasn't normalized yet. By this, I mean that eventually all worthwhile cards will have been cracked out and resubmitted until each resides in the holder indicating the numerical value representative of the highest number which the card can ever achieve. When that status is reached, then VCP can accurately be used as it is now.

Although my view does not differ from yours in substance, it is my contention that the unwanted status is self correcting, and sellers currently have to educate their buyers to reflect our interim situation.

?

TheRiddler wrote:
Although my view does not differ from yours in substance, it is my contention that the unwanted status is self correcting, and sellers currently have to educate their buyers to reflect our interim situation.

It's hard for a buyer to objectively accept a seller telling them that their card is worth more then the last recorded VCP sale because the last one has some back damage that can't be seen/verified.

Who can refute your point? You have a legitimate obstacle which is compounded by altered cards getting past the graders. I do not envy your position, and I do not share it. I am solely a hesitant buyer, I do not sell. And if I smell anything even a little questionable, I run. You have my sympathy and understanding, but I certainly appreciate a buyer's position. And it is a reasonable ideal: to obtain what we pay for, at a fair price. Anything which you can do to help me in that endeavor will be appreciated. Including honestly advising me of the situation, such as you have just done. Afterall, a good seller is also a consultant.

That crappy stinkin' card went for $1,136.00. Hard to believe somebody doled out that much. I am undeterred, however. I will score a T205 Mathewson, and in a decent grade. It is my quest!

it didn't end up nearly what a 4 is...checking vcp (yes mark i got a sub so won't be bothering u for a month ) it went for around a 3.5 price. here's the last 40 that went strong (cuz card is nice) which i think i'd rather have.

nice sgc 40

Seems to be a standard 4 for PSA. Check out this one... same off-centering, almost identical corners, same grade...

http://cgi.ebay.com/T205-Gold-Border-Ty-Cobb-Tigers-HOF-PSA-4-SMR-1800-00_W0QQitemZ120525843640QQcategoryZ213QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D10%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8403386373479748725

The cards ARE different though.