Most Watched Sports Trading Cards on eBay – 2010
For the past year, thanks to updated blog posts at Sports Card Report, we will be able to have a rough estimate of the Top 10 most watched sports trading cards to be put on eBay during 2010. This list may not be 100% accurate, but it is very close. You can determine how many watchers an item has on eBay by running an API call.
2010 was a good year for high end sports cards. The 2010 Bowman Baseball set was the product that set things in motion, fueled by sales of Stephen Strasburg and Jason Heyward rookie cards. ’10 Bowman Baseball Box prices climbed to as high as $200 which made dealers and distributors delighted. On May 29 – Robert Power bought the 2010 Bowman Stephen Strasburg Superfractor Rookie, serial numbered 1/1, for $16,403 in one of the most talked about sports card auctions on eBay in years. He appeared on ESPN and Beckett Media videos showing off his new prize. Just one month later, Razor Collectibles bought the card from Power for $21,403 after a deal with another buyer for $25K on eBay fell through. When Strasburg went down with injury in late August, it was a blow to the hobby, but not a crippling shot. Many high end cards from other sports caught fire at years end including strong sales from Hockey and Basketball.
Note: Each and every week, literally, a high end Michael Jordan card is toward the top, or at the top of the most watched trading cards on eBay. They typically peak at 100-200 watchers, but if there was one player who had the “most watched” cards on eBay during 2010 it would unquestionably be Jordan, although he has no cards that appear on this list.
1 – 2010 Bowman Stephen Strasburg 1/1 Superfractor – Part 1
Watchers: 10,330+ – Final Price $16,403.00 – May 29, 2010
When this card was sold, Stephen Strasburg had not played yet for the Nationals MLB team. Robert Power was a former collector who got caught up in the Strasburg hype and decided to plop down $16K+ for the card. Hobby enthusiasts everywhere took notice and this was one of the most talked about eBay sports card auctions in years.
Was it a good buy? It was for Robert Power! He not only made $5,000.00 on the card when he sold it to Razor Collectibles a month later, but I heard his tax business BOOMED because of the publicity he received both locally and nationally. Great business move!
2 – 2010 Bowman Stephen Strasburg 1/1 Red Autograph
Watchers: 7,188 – Final Price $17,000.00 – July, 2010
When this card was for sale on eBay it had as much electricity as the Superfractor cards – but the auction was eventually ended early after the price of the card reached $1 Million. Clearly the seller was getting worried that the bids were fake, and went on to sell the card through Huggins & Scott about a month later for $17,000.00. The card was graded a BGS 9 when it was sold by H&S, but was not graded when it was for sale on eBay.
Was it a good buy? This card does have an autograph, but the price is staggering, for any baseball card especially considering Strasburg is only considered a prospect and may never have a successful career in the MLB. This is a prime example of what hype and demand can do to the short term value of trading cards.
3 – 2010 Bowman Stephen Strasburg 1/1 Superfractor BGS 9.5 – Part 2
Watchers: 3,854 – Final Price $25,000.00* – June, 2010
When Robert Power bought the Strasburg Superfractor back in May – the card was not graded. While this card was up for sale by Power, he received the card back and the grade was a 9.5. The deal for $25,000 fell through, but Razor Collectibles bought the card and inserted it into packs of 2010 Razor Rookie Retro. As of December 26th, it is believed the card still has not been “pulled” although some collectors wonder if the card even made it into the set to begin with.
Was it a good buy? Determining if this was a good buy or not by Razor depends on how well they did with the sales of the 2010 Razor Rookie Retro set. If they made a bunch of money it was a good business move by the company.
*Deal fell through – card sold to Razor/Leaf ‘off eBay’ for $21,403.00.
4 – 2010 Bowman Chrome Jason Heyward 1/1 Superfractor Auto
Watchers: 1,076 – Final Price $6,156.00 – June, 2010
Card pulled from: Blowout Cards
Heyward started off the season with a bang by hitting a HR in his first ever MLB at-bat. The chase was on for his cards and collectors were treated to a rare sight when all three of Heyward’s Superfractor cards from 2007, 2008, and 2010 were all on eBay at the same time. Only the 2010 card eventually sold at auction.
Was it a good buy? Hard to say – it was certainly a better buy then a few of the Strasburg cards – some of which did not even have an autograph. This Heyward card is a “true rookie” with the MLB Rookie Logo and also has an autograph. If Heyward goes on and has a great career this card could possibly be worth more.
5 – 2010 Bowman Stephen Strasburg 1/1 Red Parallel RC
Watchers: 1,033 – Final Price $4,050.02 – June, 2010
Was it a good buy? This card was sold before Stasburg made his debut with the Washington Nationals – but the hype for his cards was enormous because he was blowing away people in the minors. If the card was re-sold after Strasburg got injured, the price would be at least half off. Whomever purchased this card has got to hope Strasburg comes back and dominates again.
6 – 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter Beethoven 1/1 DNA Relic Hair Card
Watchers: 728 – Final Price $4,050.02 – July, 2010
Was it a good buy? This Beethoven card got a lot of attention from collectors who normally don’t purchase baseball cards. Beethoven is considered one of the most influential musical composers of all time. The price for this hair card makes you wonder how much a cut autograph would sell for.
It should also be noted that the 2009 version of this card also sold in July 2010 at auction for $2,467.50 through auction house Huggins & Scott.
7 – 2005/06 UD The Cup Alexander Ovechkin Black Rainbow 1/1
Watchers: 720+ – Final Price $9,189.00 – November 27, 2010
Was it a good buy? Ovechkin is considered one of the games top players, so spending this kind of money on a player like him I don’t have a problem with. UD The Cup is one of the top end Hockey products that is produced every year. The Black Rainbow parallels, serial numbered 1/1, are some of the most sought after cards in the industry.
Sold By: Beckett Media Auctions
Blogosphere Reaction:
8 – 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter Chipper Jones Nameplate Jumbo 1/1
Watchers: 447 – Final Price $702.00 – July, 2010
This is an over-sized card that came out of a 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter Box Loader pack – which were inserted into Hobby Boxes only.
Was it a good buy? I like the price of $702 because every other card on this list sold for over $1K. Jones is one of the most popular players in Braves history so this is a great buy especially if it ended up in the hands of a big ATL fan.
9 – 2005 Bowman Chrome Aaron Rodgers Gold 1/1 Auto
Watchers: 412 – Final Price $2,570.00 – September 8th 2010
-Most Watched Football Card on eBay in 2010–
Was it a good buy? Will Rodgers be one of the all-time great QB’s by the time his career is done? He already has the skills and popularity to live up to the card price, it’s just a matter of if he can win a Super Bowl or two in Green Bay by the time his football career is over.
Recent Sales of high end 2005 A. Rodgers RC Cards on eBay:
- 2005 Sp Authentic
– 3 Clr Patch – Autograph #1/25 – $1,550
- 2005 UD Exquisite
– 3 Clr Patch – Autograph #/199 – $905.00
10 – 2010 Topps Triple Threads Mantle/Maris Dual Autograph Book
Watchers: 316 – Final Price $2,275.00 – October 18th 2010
Was it a good buy?
Considering both Maris and Mantle are two of Baseball’s all time legends we would rate this a good buy. Here are some previous sales of other Mantle/Maris dual autographs to be sold at auction by Huggins & Scott.
Mantle/Maris Dual Signed Baseball – JSA Authentic – 4,112.50 – 12/2/2010
Mantle/Maris Dual Signed Baseball Bat – JSA Authentic – $5,278.50 – 3/25/2010
