My holy grail, white whale of all whales up for sale.

[chadjaja]

For the first time ever I've seen one for sale. On eBay for a few hours and already has a bid from a mate in the US at the starting price of $1,500US.

I'll have to sit this one out and tie my hands down so I don't bid on this as it will go way beyond my budget. Maybe one day I'll own one. This is the best condition one you could get and one of only maybe 20 or so in existance.

Man that sucks. Basically the only brand vintage Havlicek I don't already own.

Not quite sure what to think of what it will go for as one hasn't been up for sale in a few years both on eBay and in the auction houses. I've heard of reports of some selling from $3,000US to over $10,000US. My mate Rob had three of them at one point :shock: :shock:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8820768463&fromMakeTrack=true

 

[Matt26]

Chad, my advice is start buying lottery tickets.....

It's certainly frustrating when you see a card you really want/need for your collection and you aren't in a position to have a crack at it.

Hopefully one day you will be in a position to pick up one of these cards!

Cheers
Matt

 

[Benny J]

I'll have to sit this one out and tie my hands down so I don't bid on this as it will go way beyond my budget. Maybe one day I'll own one. This is the best condition one you could get and one of only maybe 20 or so in existance.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8820768463&fromMakeTrack=true

Is that 20 of the card or 20 graded versions Chad??

 

[WoobieZarz]

Dang, and here I was almost havin a cry about deleting stuff from my Watched Items cos we're goin to Melbourne... lol.

Is THAT the Holy Grail dude? Mate, it's a "nice card". WOW

Fill us in bud, what's the "Test" bit for? Were they like proto's before the actual thing was released? It looks like one I've seen before, (not that card, the pic).

 

[JZA]

tough luck chad, i think we all know the pain of not having the funds to bid on a card we really want, but when its your dream card thats gotta hurt a lot. i guess the only thing to do is start saving for the next one that pops up...

 

[chadjaja]

yeah DVS there is reportedly around 20 copies in existance total. They haven't been on the secondary market that long. These were made by topps to pitch for making a set that they did in 1969 but went with the tall boy design. Only 22 cards made up and when you flip them over they make up a picture of Wilt dunking like the old scanlens footy cards! LOL

They came into the hobby from the son of one of the original executives from topps. Its the first card for Hondo, Bing, Bradley, DeBusschere, Reed and Monroe too. All XRC's of sorts.

And yeah JZA it may take a while. To justify something like this card you have to basically be set up enough that other important things are out of the way too. I might create a Hondo test issue account and squirel funds away in the hope another eventually comes up for sale.

 

[Benny J]

Being only 20 in existance....is it unusual for it to be a PSA 8 or are there better versions??

 

[chadjaja]

that psa 8 is the highest one graded, none higher. Most are in only psa 4-7 condition.

 

[oz-antoine]

A personal loan is your friend....bank manager I need a loan.....sure for a car? holiday? swimming pool?.....No a basketball card. I'd lvoe to see their face.

 

[Richo]

The thing about cards like that Chad.......they'll only go up !

 

[gemini0928]

Where's your bid Chad? C'mon!

 

[chadjaja]

I think the snipers might jump on this one. ;-) You never know like the psa 10 RC a while ago. That sold for 15KUS but most predicted 10K like myself. On the other hand this may not go much above 4K and someone gets a bargain. Damn its hard not to have a crack but a mate is leading at the moment so at least I know where its going for in the future ;-)

 

[chadjaja]

Didn't quite get to the 10k mark and is a good buy at only US $7,350.00 for the psa 8 version.

Maybe one day :-(

 

[graham]

Is the winner someone you know mate ?

 

[chadjaja]

Yeah it is. He is an older collector that has a MASS collection of old and rare basketball memorabilia going back to the late 1800's. His place is like a museum. Good to see a collector like him get it. Maybe I can work out a deal one day with him for it.