Jim F - When I used to have a table set up at the Expo there was a collector from Montreal who was working on the Quaker Oats set. His first name was Frederick but I cannot remember his last name. Eventuayllhe needed only the three cards you mentioned. He said he had seen them in beater condition a couple of times and both times they were sold before he could make an offer. It is doubtful those cards would surface at a major show without being scooped up by Len, Gerry or Harvey. Whoever got a hold of any of the rarities that you mentioned could virtually name their price.
Personally, I have never seen any of the cards. I remember talking to Len about them before but I cannot remember how many he has handled.
I have heard of a prominent NJ area collector having atleast one of each, but have never seen any. I have not set up at a show in about 4 years. About 5-6 years ago at the Expo, someone I have never seen before walked up to my table with a binder. You could tell he was not a collector, just found the cards at a garage sale or something. All he said to me was "would you like to buy a 1955 set"? I opened the binder in the middle and noticed the Quaker Oats backs. Before I flipped any more pages, I asked if it was a complete set. When he said yes, I think my knees buckled especially since what I looked at already was exmt+. After a short pause he added, except 3 cards have red backs. My 10 second wet dream was over. I still bought the set for a price some other dealers thought was way too high, but 60% graded 6's and 7's. Jim.
I collect the set, I am MotorCity on the PSA site. I have sent in over 100 cards to be graded, kept the best ones, if you can call them that, in my set. There is some high grade stuff, but generally out of my price range. I was the underbidder on all three PSA 7's on ebay this week, bummer. I have talked to Len and Gerry about these cards in the past, Len has seen all three. I believe the Lumley is the most common, followed by Richard. The Clancy is truly near impossible. I have searched ebay for years (gowingzgo is my handle) and never seen one. I have actually seen about 10 Royal Desserts in that time, but not one of the big three. Fun set to collect, the sideways cards are killer, love them. I am always looking to upgrade the cards I have if you know of anyone with extras. I always check out Gerry, he gets good cards. Harvey generally deals in high grade, he has 4 or 5 in PSA 8 now. Len and his son I have bought a few off of as well in the past.
Nice to have you on board Tony. If those cards popped up you can bet it would be one of those 3 dealers that would have it. I love a challenge but my thing with the Quaker Oats set was why start something that you probably could never finish. Even if you had the chance to pick up one of these cards, would you be prepared to pay the price? Especially when there is a good chance that the card would be a beater. Since you brought up Royal Desserts, does anyone know what commons and stars would go for these days. I have a chance to pick up the Lindsay card in decent condition, but have no idea what price range I should be in. Jim.
I've never seen one and I've been collecting the set for a few years. Probably doesn't help that living in Missouri, I'm far removed from the hockey card epicenters of North America.
I do remember a guy - metallica50, maybe - who used to periodically run eBay listings that were basically offers to buy a Corbeau for up to $10G's. I assume he never found one.
10k sounds like a big price tag for that card, but if one in presentable condition came up right now, I know of 2 different collectors that would bid 20k right away. Jim.
I have not seen any of the shortprints mentioned. If metallica50 (cutthroat Larry) was paying $10,000 for the card he probably had a few buyers lined up. Although, I do agree the card would sell for much more as there are probably quite a few collectors that need just that one card to complete the set. Larry is one of the best and easiest dealers to work with. I have got so many deals from him over the years at the Expo.
I didn't realize the guy was a dealer, plus it's been quite some time since he's ran those listings. That was back when eBay was even more lawless than it is today and I'm sure listings like his would get yanked in hurry if they ran now. So, yeah, $20,000 is probably a conservative estimate.
I've often wondered if I could trade every non-V145-1 in my collection for that card (or sell off everything and then buy it) if one become available. Not saying that I would if the chance arose, but just thinking hypothetically. At $20,000+, probably not.
Larry is probably more of a flipper than a dealer, but he is all over the place and often comes up with some great stuff and he always seems to be fair in prices. Jim
A heads up.. DMD Classics just picked up an entire set yesterday.. They're breaking it up to sell. www.dmdclassics.com .. If interested let David know Garret sent you. Maybe they'll work with you on price.
I have decided to sell my 1955 Quaker Oats set, it is MotorCity on the PSA site. I plan to add scans of each card, and will put on ebay probably in 2 weeks or so. If you know of anyone that collects this set and would be interested, have them shoot me an email at gowings@fuse.net
