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I just returned from the Oakland A's Fanfest, and the volume of game-used memorabilia sold was incredible. When the doors opened at 10:00 a.m., there were nearly 100 collectors in line for the sale. The line remained at least 20 to 25 deep for the duration of the sale, which ended at 3:00 p.m. In the 10 years I have been attending Fanfest, the lines have never been this constant. In fact, by the end of the day, the only items left were jerseys of common players and jerseys of star players that appeared game-issued. What was amazing was that people who were clearly not involved in our hobby were buying $800 to $1,000 jerseys, which was unusual. In past years, I would see those same people spending $25 on a Scott Hatteberg bat or $150 on an Adam Melhuse jersey, which you would see them wearing at an A's game.
On a related note, there were many more game-used bats, as well as caps, for sale than in past years. But there were no vintage pieces as in past years. For example, in the past, 1970's era suitcases, bags, warm-ups, parkas and jackets would be available. In a find a few years back, a friend purchased Reggie Jackson's and Rollie Finger's bullpen parka for $20 each.
As with the jerseys sold at the 2006 Fanfest, the presence of year tags was inconsistent. Some jerseys had year tags and others, including those absolutely hammered with use, did not. I asked A's Equipment Manager Steve Vucinich about the inconsistency, and was told that jerseys, especially those of stars, are replaced throughout the year for various reasons. And when they are replaced, a correct sized blank is used whether it has a previous year's tag, current year's tag, or no tag.
As for prices, the most expensive jerseys were Frank Thomas at $1,000, Barry Zito at $800, Huston Street at $800, Nick Swisher at $700, and, interestingly, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder at $600 each. Also, unlike past years, there was no limit on the number of jerseys one could purchase nor the number of a specific player's jerseys one could purchase.
Now, the bad part is that, in all the excitement and frenzy, I purchased a alot more jerseys than I should have. So I am listing several of them for sale in order to lessen the upcoming credit card hit. No games, no secrets, no negotiations, no playing one collector off another. You know my purchase price and sale price. And it's first come first served. All include the original A's COA, a copy of the A's Fanfest program, and A's memorabilia sale price list.
Frank Thomas - green alternate @ $1,300 - as Steve Vucinich said to me, "You can't pass it up, he's a future Hall of Famer."
Huston Street - green alternate @ $900
Bobby Crosby - green alternate @ $600
Rich Harden - green alternate @ $575
I also have two green alternate Eric Chavezes from prior years @ $700 each.
Randy
On a related note, there were many more game-used bats, as well as caps, for sale than in past years. But there were no vintage pieces as in past years. For example, in the past, 1970's era suitcases, bags, warm-ups, parkas and jackets would be available. In a find a few years back, a friend purchased Reggie Jackson's and Rollie Finger's bullpen parka for $20 each.
As with the jerseys sold at the 2006 Fanfest, the presence of year tags was inconsistent. Some jerseys had year tags and others, including those absolutely hammered with use, did not. I asked A's Equipment Manager Steve Vucinich about the inconsistency, and was told that jerseys, especially those of stars, are replaced throughout the year for various reasons. And when they are replaced, a correct sized blank is used whether it has a previous year's tag, current year's tag, or no tag.
As for prices, the most expensive jerseys were Frank Thomas at $1,000, Barry Zito at $800, Huston Street at $800, Nick Swisher at $700, and, interestingly, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder at $600 each. Also, unlike past years, there was no limit on the number of jerseys one could purchase nor the number of a specific player's jerseys one could purchase.
Now, the bad part is that, in all the excitement and frenzy, I purchased a alot more jerseys than I should have. So I am listing several of them for sale in order to lessen the upcoming credit card hit. No games, no secrets, no negotiations, no playing one collector off another. You know my purchase price and sale price. And it's first come first served. All include the original A's COA, a copy of the A's Fanfest program, and A's memorabilia sale price list.
Frank Thomas - green alternate @ $1,300 - as Steve Vucinich said to me, "You can't pass it up, he's a future Hall of Famer."
Huston Street - green alternate @ $900
Bobby Crosby - green alternate @ $600
Rich Harden - green alternate @ $575
I also have two green alternate Eric Chavezes from prior years @ $700 each.
Randy
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