Complete idiot or marketing genius? Check back for the results in a week!
Even though I am also an eBay buyer, I often ponder just what makes an eBay bidder’s mind tick. An Esposito card worth $15 with a starting bid of $.99 and no takers. A bidding war breaks out on an obviously off-centered 1972-73 Jerry Korab common card. I’ve heard it said that even after all the analysis, the stock market works sans logic. So does the eBay hockey card auction world.
As an experiment, I’m listing nine different vintage hockey cards (eight different players) with an initial bid price of just $.01. According to Beckett, the cards range from $1.50 to $20 in the high range. Assuming all will sell, I risk just making $.09 on what could be valued at over $80 worth of cards.
What could happen?
- The opening bid price could be seen as suspicious and bidding avoided.
- The opening bid price could draw several watchers and possibly result in great interest and hopeful bidding wars.
- Some sniper could grab all nine for $.09 at the last moment.
Introducing my guinea pigs (Beckett range):
Click on the links to go each eBay listing
Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders 1978-79 O-Pee-Chee #10 ($5.00 – $10.00)
Trottier played in the NHL from 1975 to 1994 with the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. Bryan won each of the following major trophies once: Calder Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy. As a player, Trottier was a member of six Stanley Cup winning teams over his NHL career, four with the New York Islanders and two with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Trottier was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997.
Frank Mahovlich, Montreal Canadiens 1972-73 Topps #140 ($2.00 – $4.00)
Frank played in the NHL/WHA from 1957 to 1978 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls. Mahovlich was a member of the 1972 Team Canada team that competed against the Soviet Union in the Summit Series. Frank entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.
Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee #196 NHL Action ($5.00 – $8.00)
Tony played in the NHL from 1968 to 1984. Other than 13 games played with the Montreal Canadiens during the 1968-69 season, Esposito spent his entire career with the Chicago Black Hawks. Tony won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year and three Vezina Trophies. Esposito became a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
Jacques Lemaire, Montreal Canadiens 1972-73 Topps #25 ($.60 – $1.50)
Lemaire played his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens from 1967 to 1979. In that moderately short career, Lemaire was part of eight Stanley Cup winning teams. Later, as an assistant general manager of the Canadiens, Lemaire was part of two more Stanley Cup winning teams. In 1994-95, Jacques was the head coach of the New Jersey Devils as they won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Lemaire was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984.
Stan Mikita played from 1959 to 1980 with only the Chicago Black Hawks. Mikita won the Hart Trophy twice, the Art Ross four times and the Lady Byng twice. Stan was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee #76 NHL Action ($5.00 – $8.00)
Esposito began his career with the Chicago Black Hawks and ended it with the New York Rangers. However, it was the time in between with
- The backs of the 9 vintage hockey cards that have an eBay starting bid of $.01.
the Boston Bruins that made Phil famous. Esposito was a five time winner of the Art Ross Trophy as the highest point-getter in the NHL and was awarded the Hart Trophy on two occasions. Phil became a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984, four years before his brother Tony.
Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks 1971-72 Topps #125 ($6.00 – $10.00)
Terry Harper, Montreal Canadiens 1968-69 O-Pee-Chee #57 ($5.00 – $8.00)
Harper played in the NHL nearly twenty years with the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Colorado Rockies. Terry was part of five Stanley Cup winning teams in Montreal.
Denis Dejordy, Chicago Black Hawks 1963-64 Topps #24 ($8.00 – $12.00)
Dejordy played goal in the NHL sporadically from 1962 to 1974 with the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings. In 1967, he shared the Vezina with Black Hawks goaltending partner, Glenn Hall. In 1963, Dejordy was named the American Hockey League’s top goaltender and most valuable player while playing with the Buffalo Bisons.
Stay tuned for updates!