An Interview with Michael O'Keeffe.

The folks at the webzine (didn't know they still made those things, did ya?) Gelf recently interviewed The Card author Michael O'Keeffe. It's really not anything that you haven't heard before, but it's still a good read nonetheless. And if it helps O'Keeffe sell a few more units, good for him.

Another item of interest for those of you who are in the greater New York area, Gelf is sponsoring a lecture (as part of it's Varsity Letters series) by O'Keeffe this Wednesday night at The Happy Ending Lounge in Manhattan.

(Yes, it's really called "The Happy Ending Lounge." I didn't make that up.)

Normally I'd go to an event like this. But if I did, I'd miss the first Phillies Playoff game in fourteen years. (Not to mention the seasons premiere of South Park and Sarah Silverman.)

Anyway, if anyone's going I'd appreciate a few pictures.

Card Flipping.

Well that didn't take long. Seven months after it became the first trading card to sell for over $2 million, "The Card" has changed hands again.

According to beckett.com the "McNall Gretzky" T-206 Honus Wagner was sold for $2.8 million. The transaction was brokered by SCP Auctions, and both buyer and seller remain anonymous.

Ben Henry Interviews Michael O'Keeffe

I don't know how he did it, but Ben Henry snared an exclusive interview with The Card author Michael O'Keeffe. Very good insights about Bill Mastro, Ray Edwards and John Cobb, and the state of The Hobby media. Check it out.

The Card. A Review.

1. At times, I felt like I had already read this book.

And in fact, I did... When it was called Card Sharks. The whole "Marvin Money" chapter seems like it was lifted straight from Pete Williams' 1995 book. Granted, O'Keeffe gives Williams credit. And I suppose that -- given the lack of books written about The Hobby -- there really aren't all that many sources to quote. But still the best book written about the history of The Hobby remains Card Sharks, and if you haven't read it yet, you should.



2. Michael Gidwitz is a guy that I'd like to have a beer with.

Or two. Or ten. If you haven't checked out Gidwitz's website preciouspaper.com, you ought to. It's a fun way to kill a couple of hours.


3. Keith Olbermann has restored my "faith" in professional grading services.

Let me state for this record: I've never "got" grading. I've never had any of my cards graded, and I've purchased three slabbed cards in my life -- all of which I immediately cracked open.

The best quote in The Card comes from the infamous, deplorable, one himself on page 87:

"' You want to know what I think of slabbers?' (Olbermann) asked. 'Homer Simpson is the safety expert at the Springfield nuclear plant. That's what I think of slabbers.'"


4. They did what to The Card?

Perhaps the biggest revelation in The Card, is at the very end. On page 204:

"(Brian) Seigel sells The Card, which he has had reholdered and is no longer known as the Gretzky T206 Honus Wagner, to an anonymous collector for $2.35 million."

So he had The Card regraded? And if so, who slabbed it, and what grade did it receive?

Preview of "The Card."

Our friends at Sports Collector's Daily have posted an exclusive preview of the forthcoming book "The Card." The subject matter is the infamous Gretzky/McNall T-206 Wagner.

Looks like a must read.

I'll have a review, shortly.

The "Gretzky" Wagner sets a new record.

Ladies and gentlemen, a new record for the T-206 "Gretzky/McNall" Honus Wagner. $2.35 million! Read all about it here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2781059&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

and here:

http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/latest/holy-honus-t206-wagner-sold-for-2.35-million.html