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Great message board for game-used collectors
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Free online auction sniping service
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Nation's leading game-used equipment authenticators
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Company that grades cards, packs etc.
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 UpcomingCardShows.com
Perfect site to find a card show in your area
 Vintage Baseball Card Forum
Network 54 board with all advanced vintage card collectors









 Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Gavel Chat reader to open a 1952 Topps pack on blog from SportsFest
Posted by Chris

topps-find.jpgAlright, I lied ... Kinda.

Wouldn't it be cool though, to see a box-break style crack of someone opening a 1952 Topps pack, or any important vintage pack for that matter?

Well, I'm throwing it out there. I'm inviting any interested parties to approach me with a pack pre-1985 at SportsFest and you will instantly become a star. I will video tape you opening the pack and post it on the blog.

To those of you who don't realize, Gavel Chat has become one of the most popular sports card and memorabilia blogs ever and thousands of people will see your mug on the blog. You will also be subject to a little Gavel Chat Mojo, which has not let anyone down yet, and you may pull a very topps-lady.jpgvaluable card as a result.

At the very least it will be tons of fun!!

Don't let Gavel Chat Nation down.

Note: The images for the post were borrowed from the Baseball Card Kid's website. The blog would like to give a shout out and special thanks to Mark Murphy for the use of these wonderful photos.

****************


Gavel Chat Newsbreak 6/2





6/3/2008 4:11:25 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [1]
 Monday, June 02, 2008
Monday's Gavel Chat rated PG-13
Posted by Chris

kimbosmash.jpgTwo warnings on today's Gavel Chat ... The first is that this post has nothing to do with collectibles or auctions. The second warning is if you have a weak stomach, you may want to go surf eBay or something instead of reading your favorite blog.

I had to tap into the wonderful world of the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and the event that took place on Saturday, featuring former street fighter Kimbo Slice. I was watching Kimbo on Youtube for nearly two years now and never thought I'd see the day when this freak would be taking in six figures on National television.

The fight was pretty much what I expected, and was actually pretty entertaining, until I saw one of the worst, most disgusting things ever. Kimbo hit his opponent's cauliflower ear like a Piñata. After I saw his opponent come out of the locker room, the first thing that I saw was his horrible looking, throbbing ear and yes, Kimbo nailed that thing and popped it like a grape.

kimboauto.JPGAughhhh!!!

I will say, however, that other than Mike Tyson, I have never seen a guy with such a freak show-type of excitement as Kimbo.

Which card company will be the first to put Kimbo in one of its products and what innovative seller will be selling that poor guys ear on eBay... Gosh, I hope not.




Maybe Kimbo's opponent should have watched the following video before he stepped in the cage Saturday night:

*************
Also, don't you think "phantom ticket" would be a better word for these than "useless?" LOL


6/2/2008 4:32:56 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [0]
 Thursday, May 29, 2008
Canseco's eyes set on fighting Mike Tyson??!! Exclusive interview with agent
Posted by Chris

Canseco39fc.jpgAs Gavel Chat promised yesterday, we contacted Jose Canseco's agent, Bernie Gernay to get the lowdown on the former Bash Brother's recent boxing venture.

What I found very interesting was not that he was going to be fighting former pro football player Vai Sikahema, but Gernay told me that the person in charge of promoting the fight wants to sign Canseco to a two-fight deal. And guess who is at the top of the list for Jose's next opponent. None other than Mike Tyson.

If you think about it, Canseco and Tyson have a lot in common. Some people love them both and some hate them, but no matter what your opinion on these two guys, everybody wants to watch their every move, especially if it entails a boxing match.
tysonmpic-mm.jpg
Now you might think Canseco is just another one of those celebrity freak show boxing guys, but Gernay said that isn't the case.

"Basically what Canseco has trained in is Japanese Karate, Taekwondo and Muay Thai," said Gernay. "He's been doing this for years, not coming in there cold like some kind of a goofy celebrity boxing match with like Tonya Harding or something."

If the potential Tyson deal falls through, Gernay said that another possible future opponent would be former NFL sack legend Mark Gastineau, even though Gernay thinks a Tyson/Canseco bout would be a better match.

markg.jpg"Canseco is an incredible boxer," said Gernay. "He's doesn't do this piecemeal. He's completely dedicated to this. I don't think people are expecting what is going to happen on July 12th. It's going to be real interesting in Atlantic City that day."




5/29/2008 12:53:18 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [1]
 Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Iconic Memorabilia and Vai Sikahema
Posted by Chris

robinson.jpgLooks like Jeff Woolf, former co-owner of Universal Rarities auction and former partner of Tom Riccio is going to stick with the auction gig.

I would advise Gavel Chat Nation to check out the new auction site, Iconic Memorabilia. Iconic's auction is now live and there are some very obscure items that are, at the very least, fun to look at.

For those of you who might not know who Riccio is, you may have a chance to sit in on the next O.J. Simpson trial (they are struggling to find suitable jury members), because you've obviously been living in a box for the past year.

Riccio is the dude who set up the sting to get some of Simpson's alleged stolen memorabilia back from the man who had the stuff. Riccio taped phone conversations he had with the Juice, and the entire event that took place at the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas.

Anyway, other than a few dealings I have had with Mr. Riccio, I have also had a few with Mr. Woolf. All I can say is Woolf has always been very good at customer service and I wish him the best.

******************
SportsFest is in less than two weeks and I'm really hoping to meet some of my Gavel Chat readers. I plan on doing some video interviews with you guys and hopefully we will have a nice turnout.

I will have some fun prizes at our booth and will try to make sure everyone is entertained. If we're lucky T.S. O'Connell with do his patented stand-up comedy act.

******************
By the way... I guess Jose Canseco is turning into a version of Mike Tyson, in more than one way. Some would say Canseco is a little off his rocker already, but now Canseco is doing something a little more Tysonesque and going to be partaking in a boxing match versus former NFLer Vai Sikahema. Click here.

I just put a call into Canseco's marketing agent Bernie Gernay to get the lowdown on what's going in Canseco's mind, and if he really thinks the former Major Leaguer stands a chance against Vai.

Click here to watch Sikahema take out some aggression on a goal post during a pro football game. I wouldn't mess with him.





5/28/2008 5:50:58 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [0]
 Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Chris Nerat's Gavel Chat Newsbreak with Scott Kelnhofer 5/27
Posted by Chris

ruthhair.jpgWell, I guess you've gotta hand it to Upper Deck for its innovation. The card company just announced that it will be unveiling trading cards that feature some very ‘Rare Hair’ and Ancient Autographs. I've got to admit, I wasn't that thrilled with the idea of affixing body parts to baseball cards, but after seeing that UD put some super-rare cut signatures on these pasteboards, I felt a little bit better with the new product.

At the very least, they'll be a heck of a conversation piece.

***********

Sorry I don't have more to blog about today. I am dead tired and still shaking off the cobwebs from a long weekend. My friends conned me into going camping, even though I'm not much of an outdoors man. It was fun however, and I really thought I was something out there, roughing it and all. I mean, I actually had to haul wood, wear bug spray and cook potatos over a fire ... My buddies weren't that impressed because I actually spent most of my time in a cabin, with running water and television. I didn't know you had to sleep in a tent to actually be considered "camping."

BUTTONe.jpg




5/27/2008 5:14:25 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [0]
 Friday, May 23, 2008
I hate eBay reserves – 100 bucks to anyone who can change my opinion
Posted by Chris

dollars.jpgI invite any Gavel Chat reader out there to change my opinion on this topic. If you change my opinion, I will award you $100 cash.

I hate reserves on eBay! How many times have you searched the world's favorite online auction site and spotted an awesome item that you are willing to bid on only to find that it has a hidden reserve on it? I wouldn't mind this, but it is human nature to think that their item is worth more than it actually is, and in escence that logic forces the person to put a crazy reserve on the item.

It actually just happened to me and that's why I am going on this rant, not that it's gonna do me any good.

Why the heck do people put reserves on their items anyway? Any time an item has a reserve on it, potential bidders are immediately turned off. I have actually stopped bidding on items that have reserves. If you want to sell the item in an auction-style format then take the stinking reserve off of it.

EBay charges a ton more to list an item that carries a reserve. Good thing too, because I would guess that the majority of items that do have a reserve never end up selling, which obviously means that eBay doesn't receive its commission.

So, that's it for my Friday rant. And I am serious. If anyone can change my opinion, I will happily hand you a Benjamin. Don't get too excited though, it probably ain't gonna happen.


********************

Also, I usually don't directly borrow tidbits from other auction houses, but I think everyone should read this article written by Rob Lifson of Robert Edward Auctions. He makes some great points about third-party authentication. CLICK HERE TO READ ROB'S BLOG ENTRY



5/23/2008 1:03:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [8]
 Thursday, May 22, 2008
Great new prizes from Topps added to Olbermann contest
Posted by Chris

We are really excited to announce that Topps just sent us some absolutely killer prizes to add to the ones already in our Keith Olbermann Proof Series contest. Click here to fill out the survey to be entered into the contest.

Also, click here to read the first installment of Olbermann's series.

Click on the video link below to learn more about these great doodads from our very own T.S. O'Connell:



5/22/2008 2:09:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [0]
 Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Gavel Chat Newsbreak 5/21
Posted by Chris

BUTTONe.jpg


5/21/2008 10:24:10 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [0]
 Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Last part of Gavel Chat's interview with Lou Lampson
Posted by Chris

The host of Gavel Chat's weekly newsbreak's host, Scott Kelnhofer, extended his vacation on accident today, so we are delaying this nifty new feature until tomorrow morning. That said, make sure you tune in tomorrow, as there's lot of stuff going on in the industry that he will be telling blog viewers about.

Instead, today I put the final part of my Lou Lampson interview on the blog. Enjoy.

l



5/20/2008 5:18:02 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [0]
 Monday, May 19, 2008
"Autopen signatures are considered authentic"
Posted by Chris

This is a first... According to golfer Phil Mickelson's official website, "Autopen signatures are considered authentic as long as they are not offered for sale."

This is one of the dumbest things I have ever read since I've started collecting. And to make it worse,if that's even possible "It typically takes a year from the date of request to receive your item."

I think it's safe to say that if I ever have to refer a pro athlete to an agency, Gaylord Sports Management won't be on the top of the list.

phil2.jpg



5/19/2008 5:48:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [2]
 Thursday, May 15, 2008
I still wanna see how this book is 80 pounds
Posted by Chris

opus.jpgAbout two years ago I started hearing about this book and I still have never seen one in person.

Premier Auctions is offering a Super Bowl XL Opus (MVP Edition, No. 140 of 400) limited-edition autographed book available from the publisher, KrakenOpus, in its latest auction that ends May 29.

The retail price was $40,000. The lot carries a minimum bid of $25,000.

The Opus also includes an in-depth analysis and story of every Super Bowl played, illustrated with more than 1,200 astonishing images. The 20-by-20-inch book weighs more than 80 pounds.
The MVP Opus also contains a page that is personally signed by the 34 of the 35 Super Bowl MVPs.

All I wanna know is, how the heck is a book 80 pounds?!!

Are the pages made out of lead? No question that's a hefty minimum bid for a killer modern-day football piece, but I would compare it to the NBA 50 Greatest players lithograph and those go for up near $70k.

I just got off the phone with Walter Cerini from Premier auctions and he said that this was the last example of the Opus book available and they will now be all sold out.



5/15/2008 4:45:49 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [0]
Montana sues Heritage, ex-wife
Posted by Chris

0508081montana1.jpgAccording to a report from the website thesmokinggun.com and a chat that Gavel Chat had with auction officials, former NFL quarterback Joe Montana is suing Heritage Auction Galleries for the sale of assorted items including love letters to his former wife Kim Moses. Montana is also suing Moses, who consigned the pieces to Heritage's May 2008 Signature sale. Montana, 51, claims that the sale of the assorted items violated his copyright and privacy rights.

Chris Ivy, Heritage sports division auction director said he hasn't seen a copy of the complaint yet.

"We're kind of stuck in the middle of this," said Ivy. "It's just a question of ownership and title. We're just kind of stepping back and letting their attorneys hash it out.

The total of the nine lots that Heritage sold for Moses tallied $20,972.

-Chris Nerat




5/15/2008 9:46:55 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [0]