REA vs. Mastro today

[mjkm90]

Is anyone besides me disappointed in the current REA auction? This event represents a significant drop in both volume and variety compared to the last few. This is also the first time in many years they have been crushed in the vintage memorabilia department by Mastro. I'm still a Rob L. devotee, but with one auction a year we have come to expect more.

[aaron1050]

Is anyone besides me disappointed in the current REA auction? This event represents a significant drop in both volume and variety compared to the last few. This is also the first time in many years they have been crushed in the vintage memorabilia department by Mastro. I'm still a Rob L. devotee, but with one auction a year we have come to expect more.

I'm a little disappointed in the REA auction as well. I can usually count on Rob's auction as being the highlight of the collecting year (other than the National), but this year there aren't a lot of items that I find interesting (for comparison, usually I have between 30 and 40 items on my watchlist-this year I only have 15 with many of the items almost identical lots).

I'm particularly disappointed in the lack of pennants, postcards, trophies, unused baseballs and pinbacks (Rob is a pinback specialist, so I'm pretty stunned how weak that category is for him).

OTOH, I'm sure baseball card collectors are thrilled as Rob seems to have a great selection of 19th century and pre-war items. (Which is basically to say that REA has never more resembled a typical Mastro auction than it does this year.)

Speaking of which, I don't think Mastro "crushed" REA in the vintage sports memorabilia category. If anything, Mastro's offering is even weaker (I have a grand total of three items on my Mastro watchlist).

It just seems like more and more the major auctions are all about baseball cards, photographs and autographed items -- none of which I find the least bit interesting.

[mjkm90]

Crushed is probably a bit strong. Let's just say Mastro was the tallest of the midgets in the memorabilia category.

[slidekellyslide]

I am very interested in at least one REA auction lot as it falls right into my focus. :) But I see your point here Mike as there seems to be a lot less than we are accustomed to from REA when it comes to memorabilia.

And I'm hoping that there is a lot of interest in the final auction lot as it is for a very worthy cause.

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/site/bidplace.aspx?itemid=9748

[HiNeighbor]

I have one major problem with the REA auction.

I don't have enought $$$$$$$ !

For those who want balls....there's a 1912 Red Sox ball on there with a starting bid of $85,000

Sweet (but not that sweet)

I hope to get one piece out of the Michael McGreevy 3rd Base Selections, but I doubt my pockets are deep enough.

Hope you guys do well in the auction (as long as you don't bid on BoSox stuff :D )

Greg

[slidekellyslide]

You don't have to worry about me Greg...and while the Red Sox are my favorite team I don't have the deep pockets for that early Sox memorabilia anyway. :D

FYI The Leland's auction is now posted and it looks to have a lot of nice memorabilia lots.

I'm hoping to pick something up within my focus here locally tonight....fingers crossed. If I do I'll post it to the board.

[slidekellyslide]

Well the item that I went to look at tonight was not what I was hoping for so I passed....I was told it was a bulletin for the Nebraska Indians baseball team, but it turned out to be for the NI Basketball team of which I have no interest in....oh well.

[JimCaravello]

Relative to strictly vintage ( pre-1980 ) game used items - I believe both current auctions have a lack of top notch jerseys and bats - many fewer items than in the past - don't get me wrong - there are a few really nice items, but the quantity is just not there like it was years ago.

I believe this is just reflective of the lack of available items in the market as the "good stuff" is just being rat holed away by collectors and has been cut up by the card companies over the years. It also reflects the increase in available auctions to consign to, along with ebay growing in popularity over the years.

It will be interesting to see what type of material Grey Flannel has in their auction which is scheduled to go live tomorrow. Jim

[slidekellyslide]

REA went very heavy on cards this year....it's possible that they had to turn some stuff away on the memorabilia side. There are some big time card collectors getting out right now. Sergio Delgado, Hal Lewis and the legendary Lionel Carter are all getting rid of cards in either Mastro or REA.

It looks like the Lelands auction that just recently went online looks to have a nice selection of memorabilia.

[vintagesportscollector]

I was very very disappointed in REA, and pretty much Mastro too, although I find Mastro to be a little better. Lelands is OK, but nothing that wows me. There are some nice items but I have seen them before on ebay or other auctions. (getting kind of sick of seeing all the retreads and flips...would be nice to see some fresh stuff)

I am sure there is great stuff for many out there, just not much at all that interests me. I jones for antique equipment and items that display great. That stuff just isn't out there. I am watching a few items but I doubt I'll even bid on anything this go around.

Dan- I find it very apparent too that REA went big on cards this year. Since I have no interest in cards, that's a bummer for me.

-Joe

[mjkm90]

Did anyone receive the new Grey Flannel catalog? I usually flip through it and immediately drop it in the recycling bin. Not this time. They actually have more vintage displayable memorabilia than REA and Mastro. Granted, there aren't as many historically significant pieces, but still impressive. Two nice Spalding trophies:)