Ripken Playing Card Auto

[Fandruw25]

Plus if these cards do truely have coating over the auto I would assume it was a facsimile not an authentic signature. I would further assume that each pack either had one or the other and I got the facsimile and someone else got the authentic with some sort of COA. To an average collector they may not have noticed the sig or simple put it away thinking it was a novelty.

Not only that, but how many people bought these cards not as a collection item but as a different style playing card. Fans of the game, not necessarly collectors. I know when I was a kid my parents would buy me and my brother these types of playing cards and most of them probably ended up torn or trashed. I probably wouldn't have even realized it was signed and thought my brother scribbled on it.

 

[James52411]

Why aren't there any of these on ebay if they are supposedly prevalent?

Fair question. Could be that collectors have had 18 years to add them to collections and they are tucked away. At the same time it could also be that some are in boxes waiting to be found. I don't think the fact that ebay has only had one offered this year is an indication of the scarcity of the card. There are a lot of Manning cards numbered in the hundreds that I have had in my saved searches for months with no luck. Doesn't mean they are rare, just means people aren't selling them. Of course with no information out there it seems until this week I could see why someone would be afraid to sell not knowing if they have just another Ripken sig or the next T-206 Wagner.

I don't think there are thousands of these signed Ripken cards out there. I do think there are at least 100, which doesn't make it a $6K card. Even if there are five of them I don't think it is a $6K card.

You make some good points and certainly there are rare cards that do not pop on eBay very often. However, I do not think there is a single autograph of any of the players from this set on eBay or Beckett. If the autographs were seeded one per case of playing cards there should be a few more out there.

I am not arguing against your valuation of the card, and I would guess that you are right that a price in the thousands is absurd. In the end, however, what the card is worth is what a collector that does not have the card is willing to pay for it. What I am questioning is the alleged lack of scarcity of the card based on the advertising panel for these decks of cards. I know that many of you are very serious Ripken collectors and track all possible outlets in order to add a rare card. That none of you has ever come across the card is pretty strong evidence that it is extremely scarce.

 

[Russ S.]

I see what you are saying James, but some valid points have been mentioned.

* Auto is under the gloss, so it's very hard to even tell it's an auto.
* No COA or any distinction that it's in fact an auto.
* These were in the hands of children, general public, and non collectors not in the know.


True that is it a rare card, with many HARD CORE player collectors not having them. Part in fact to the above points.
If it was strictly a auto baseball card, then there could be more info. regarding the card, and could be seen in more collection in my opinion.

Think of how many CASES of unopened packs could be sitting in Big Lots or Dollar Store warehouses somewhere.

Also, there are ZERO Cal Ripken 1998 Donruss Purple Crusades on ebay right now. There are 250 of those. Would you pay $1k or more?

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

You make some good points and certainly there are rare cards that do not pop on eBay very often. However, I do not think there is a single autograph of any of the players from this set on eBay or Beckett. If the autographs were seeded one per case of playing cards there should be a few more out there.

I am not arguing against your valuation of the card, and I would guess that you are right that a price in the thousands is absurd. In the end, however, what the card is worth is what a collector that does not have the card is willing to pay for it. What I am questioning is the alleged lack of scarcity of the card based on the advertising panel for these decks of cards. I know that many of you are very serious Ripken collectors and track all possible outlets in order to add a rare card. That none of you has ever come across the card is pretty strong evidence that it is extremely scarce.

Out of everything written on both sides of this (somewhat heated) discussion the above makes the most sense...probably because its the most moderate viewpoint that could be applied to any card in this circumstance.

 

[James52411]

I see what you are saying James, but some valid points have been mentioned.

* Auto is under the gloss, so it's very hard to even tell it's an auto.
* No COA or any distinction that it's in fact an auto.
* These were in the hands of children, general public, and non collectors not in the know.


True that is it a rare card, with many HARD CORE player collectors not having them. Part in fact to the above points.
If it was strictly a auto baseball card, then there could be more info. regarding the card, and could be seen in more collection in my opinion.

Think of how many CASES of unopened packs could be sitting in Big Lots or Dollar Store warehouses somewhere.

Also, there are ZERO Cal Ripken 1998 Donruss Purple Crusades on ebay right now. There are 250 of those. Would you pay $1k or more?

I agree that all of your points with asterisks are legitimate reasons why the card might be somewhat undiscovered. I also agree that $6K is a crazy amount because of the risk that additional copies will be found and due to the fact that it isn't an "iconic" card and likely will not become one. The mere fact that many of the Ripken collectors on this board wouldn't stroke a check for thousands of dollars for the card devalues it, particularly if additional copies continue to emerge.

The key question isn't how many of these cards were produced, but rather how many are likely to be discovered. Of course, the greater the production number, the greater the odds that more will be discovered. Still, the fact that only two have turned up in 8 years tells me it's a pretty darned tough find. I could see wanting $1K plus for the card with only two currently discovered.

Really, I'm not arguing so much about valuation as I am about scarcity. Valuation is always what the open market will bear. The scarcity of the card is apparent from the facts, though there is also a risk that more will be discovered, particularly if the Ripken and Maddux bring good coin. As for the Crusade card you mentioned, if you and some of the people with fantastic Ripken collections didn't have it and one hadn't appeared for many years I'd probably think it's really scarce

 

[scotty21690]

"This may be the smartest thing you have ever said. I love how this card comes up FS on the boards and then all of these Ripken authorities try to talk the card down and say that it is fairly common and not worth much. Yet, there has only been two confirmed copies, correct? Even if in 1993 there where 100+ available at the time, it seems that they have not made it into circulation. This seems to be a very rare card and worth a lot to high-end Ripken collectors, as it should be. If I were a high-end collector I would pony up the money for this over a minor league card any day."

Ha, probably why he is not a high end collector, huh? Also, is it worth a lot to you Ripken collectors on FCB?.....Didn't think so. These guys make me laugh.


THE(NEXT)LEVEL.....he used to be on Beckett correct? He had all of the vintage Yankee patches and such??

 

[Russ S.]

Big Douches talk alot of smack over there, but won't even attempt with the big boys here.
They will get put in their place!

 

[scotty21690]

James, this card will go down and down in value everytime it is sold again. This is because the first time it was sold it was wayyy overvalued, and since there has been one or two other copys found which reduces the rarity of the card which in turn lowers the value. Now there is evidence that there may have been hundreds of these signed, but not many to have surfaced. Knowing this there is no way this card holds it's value.

Secondly, with that card being so rare, does that make the McGriff and Pendleton have similar values to the Ripken? (having similar rarities?) You did say that none of the other two players auto'ed playing cards were to be found on eBay, so with those being as rare as the Ripken they must also be $1000+ cards?


Lastly, scarcity doesn't always equate to value. I can't imagine there is much of a market for an oddball playing card auto. I know if my player had a similar card I would not be interested at all.


Just my $.02

 

[RITM]

You make some good points and certainly there are rare cards that do not pop on eBay very often. However, I do not think there is a single autograph of any of the players from this set on eBay or Beckett. If the autographs were seeded one per case of playing cards there should be a few more out there.

I am not arguing against your valuation of the card, and I would guess that you are right that a price in the thousands is absurd. In the end, however, what the card is worth is what a collector that does not have the card is willing to pay for it. What I am questioning is the alleged lack of scarcity of the card based on the advertising panel for these decks of cards. I know that many of you are very serious Ripken collectors and track all possible outlets in order to add a rare card. That none of you has ever come across the card is pretty strong evidence that it is extremely scarce.

I agree that something is worth what one is willing to pay. However, collectors need the benefit of having the information out there, which is why I became so interested. The card was being sold as if there were only two copies in the world. If that is confirmed, then fantastic. However, it is unfair for people to cry out that this is the next T-206 Wagner as if comments on a message board are gospel.

The fact that few of us have heard of the card is not the best indication as to scarcity. I do not know how the decks were distributed. By that I ask if this was something that one specific store sold? Was it regional? Of course I am sure that some of these guys are flattered by their reputation but the folks on that other board have to be consistent with their recognition of high end Ripken collectors. For example, you can't say on one hand that mighty Ripken collectors do not have it so it must be worth a fortune while at the same time refuting the same collectors as haters when they present a piece of the puzzle. I think all Ripken collectors are intrigued about the find while at the same time wanting to learn more about the card.

In time I am confident that more information will come out. Someone is going to find an old Tuff Stuff or Beckett with the information. Who knows, maybe someone will ask Cal on the record. Either way my concern is not so much in folks wanting to call it a "Holy Grail" as much as they are claiming without evidence that there are only two out there. Maybe in time we will find out Cal signed 5, maybe 500. Either way I hope the information comes out and I doo see your point.

 

[mudflap02]

I find it interesting that the thread on FCB is easy to follow, with respectful disagreement and opinions backed up with why each party feels that way. The thread over there does not quite read the same way.

 

[mudflap02]

OH JEALOUS MUCH??? HIGH END RIPKIN COLLECTORS MUST BE STUPID ASSHATS BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS CARD BUT I JUST SOLD IT TO A HIGH END RIPKEN COLLECTOR FOR AN AMOUNT BETWEEN $500 AND $7000. IT IS THE HONUS WAGNER OF AUTOGRAPHED 1990'S PLAYING CARDS.

 

[James52411]

OH JEALOUS MUCH??? HIGH END RIPKIN COLLECTORS MUST BE STUPID ASSHATS BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS CARD BUT I JUST SOLD IT TO A HIGH END RIPKEN COLLECTOR FOR AN AMOUNT BETWEEN $500 AND $7000. IT IS THE HONUS WAGNER OF AUTOGRAPHED 1990'S PLAYING CARDS.

That's a great comment! :lol: The guy at my local Waffle House is the Gordon Ramsay of Waffle House fry cooks.

 

[mudflap02]

Which would you rather have? The best meal a Waffle House can offer (playing card auto) or a mediocre meal at the Capital Grille (Purple Crusade)?

 

[James52411]

Which would you rather have? The best meal a Waffle House can offer (playing card auto) or a mediocre meal at the Capital Grille (Purple Crusade)?

I'd rather have the former, unless I'm going to have to pay $300 for the best meal at a Waffle House. A perfectly made meal of waffles, eggs, and bacon is a beautiful thing.

 

[Russ S.]

Which would you rather have? The best meal a Waffle House can offer (playing card auto) or a mediocre meal at the Capital Grille (Purple Crusade)?

Why choose?
Breakfast at Waffle House.
Lunch at Capital Grille.

 

[mudflap02]

Which would you rather have? The best meal a Waffle House can offer (playing card auto) or a mediocre meal at the Capital Grille (Purple Crusade)?

I'd rather have the former, unless I'm going to have to pay $300 for the best meal at a Waffle House. A perfectly made meal of waffles, eggs, and bacon is a beautiful thing.

The Waffle House meal's price is unknown. Only 2 people have ever ordered it, but you can see it on the menu. The first one reportedly cost the guy $6500, the second one was reportedly four figures. It is REALLY good bacon, but it's going to cost a lot of money. Capital Grille will cost you about $150 but your friends won't make fun of you for spending 6k at a glorified mobile home with a grill.

 

[RITM]

I learned something interesting that pertains to the subject. This info is not mine but from my friend IronManFan. In 1994, Burger King restaurants in the Baltimore area gave out trading cards. Cal signed some of the cards and they were randomly inserted. Apparently there was nothing extra special that denoted anything about it being a signed card.

Admittedly I have not researched the Burger King card as I have the Aces card from Bicycle. However, in the searches I have done I am yet to find any information about it's existence. Guess what, no completed auctions either. Is it the next T-206 Wagner? Is it a $6k card?

 

[Jastermereel]

For future reference, there is no need to ask if something is worth 6.5k in the future. If you've never seen something before it's instantly worth 6.5k until another shows up then its worth 2k.

 

[Russ S.]

For future reference, there is no need to ask if something is worth 6.5k in the future. If you've never seen something before it's instantly worth 6.5k until another shows up then its worth 2k.

You forgot your ~ ~

 

[BunchOBull]

I learned something interesting that pertains to the subject. This info is not mine but from my friend IronManFan. In 1994, Burger King restaurants in the Baltimore area gave out trading cards. Cal signed some of the cards and they were randomly inserted. Apparently there was nothing extra special that denoted anything about it being a signed card.

Admittedly I have not researched the Burger King card as I have the Aces card from Bicycle. However, in the searches I have done I am yet to find any information about it's existence. Guess what, no completed auctions either. Is it the next T-206 Wagner? Is it a $6k card?

I believe Tuna has a couple of copies, but I'm not positive.