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Any time I have seen you appraising an item(s), I always appreciate your There are some grading companies that have worked hard to
enthusiasm and willingness to share all kinds of information and stories determine a rating system for items that include trading cards and
comics, etc. We often say, “Condition is everything,” and when that is
that make it more relatable. You great respect for sports memorabilia, backed up by an independent grading company it does weigh heavily
and the collectors seem to feed off of what you have to say. when determining value.
Thank you. Researching a collection or even just a single item is the Not everyone needs to get their cards and comics and uniforms, etc.,
closest thing that I can think of to get to a place where you might never graded. Often, if the owner thinks the item is of considerable value and
have been. they are looking to sell at auction, the auction house will pay to get the
It is like collecting a ticket stub, whether it is to a Broadway play or item graded. And, for the average collector, they may wish to get certain
the World Series. I wasn’t born in the 1940s or earlier, and I couldn’t pieces graded depending upon perceived value for something such as a
have gone to this event, right? But, here is an artifact. A relic that was legal matter or a will or something like that. Otherwise, it is a good idea
there and I can touch it. The whole basis of what I do is making that to learn how to preserve what you have, properly frame and display
connection with the past or with the future, that’s kind of where I’m at your collection, and see about getting certain pieces appraised by a pro-
as a fan, a collector, and an appraiser. That’s what’s fessional such as PSA, CSG, or CGC (for comics).
my whole thing.
Really, when it comes to collectibles, it’s almost Antiques Roadshow
like you get to take a trip back in time. You buy the What should sports collectors consider when deciding
ticket and take the souvenir with you and you remem- what to bring to an AR appraisal event?
ber the experience. That’s the fun of this whole thing.
Consider bringing something with some age. New
collectibles generally do not have enough history to
While you tend to stick to physical objects to both go along with assigning a value. Another thing to
collect and appraise, new trends are popping up, con-sider bringing is a cross-collectible. A player’s
especially in the world of sports collectibles – NFT jersey that has been signed and was game-worn on a
historic game can bring out more information for
(non-fungible tokens) are a hot topic right now, along the collec-tor and typically more value.
with buying a percentage of an item vs. purchasing a Every city we travel to is different, and we are
historic collectible outright. How do you feel about always discovering new local treasures that we are
happy to be given the chance to value.
these trends?
Personally, I prefer to collect things that I can have How much prep work do you do before you conduct an
in my home or with my collection. There is some- appraisal on AR?
thing about being able to hold it in your hand, right?
That being said, there are good things about these Limited Edition GAS Series 3 #21 H.P. While every appraiser brings their own in-depth
forms of collecting and it mainly has to do with Lovecraft Cracked Foil Prism Card knowledge with them, we have staff that are hitting
involving younger collectors in this business. Digital from Simeon Lipman’s Company up information online, and we always confer with
collectibles may best suit their lifestyle today and it www.gastradingcards.com each other no matter what we are appraising.
gets them involved in the stories that go with the Because I have a varied background in many col-
image. When it comes to owning a percentage of an item, again, the lectible fields, I will confer with other departments and even conduct
younger collectors can grab onto the story that goes with it and hope an on-camera appraisal if I have the knowledge. It can take a while—
their “asset” will gain in value over time. even a few hours— between selecting something that looks like it could
Then there are those who invest and expect a return. This type of be really interesting and then looking up and going on-camera to film
collecting is for people who are looking for an interesting way to invest, the appraisal.
but it involves a more personal approach – different from those who What is your typical day of appraising like?
collect because they are passionate about something.
We all interact with collectors within our department and others all
When it comes to appraisals, collectibles that are graded have a large day long as hundreds of items come to us from very long lines. It is a
long day but it is an adventure.
amount of value coming from that grade. Should collectors be spending A good day of appraising for me means I was able to show three
the money to get their items graded? items that are worthy of being presented on-camera. Then I know I did
my job and I’ll be seen on upcoming episodes.

Links to some of Simeon’s great appraisals and auctions

One of Simeon Lipman’s favorite Simeon Lipman curated a special auction When it came to
appraisals on Antiques Roadshow was the one for Christie’s Auction house called The reviewing the 2021
he did for this special All Star watch owned Secret History of Baseball that was held on sports cards at auction,
by Mickey Mantle. October 19, 2016. “To experience a collec- Simeon worked with
“This was a really good story – some- tion like this hands-on is very exciting,” Sports Collectors Digest
thing you could not comments Baseball specialist Simeon on this special article
find anywhere else Lipman while exploring highlights of called “State of the
except by working on Christie’s 19 October sale, The Golden Age Hobby: Top Online
Roadshow. And this of Baseball: Selections from the National Sales of 2021, and
was a great appraisal.” Pastimes Museum. The collection of rare what ‘crazy’ market
Here the story and memorabilia includes spine-tingling items means for the future of
learn the results of the dating as far back as 1860. sports cards.”
appraisal online here: Check out Simeon’s video produced for Check it out here:
this special auction here where he gives https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/news/
insight into the auction and how he top-selling-sports-cards-of-2021-online-
https://www.facebook.
com/watch/?v=219651 approaches a collection: auctions-michael-jordan-lebron-james-
8047137515 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK- kobe-bryant
GY_6fzoY

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