ABC's LOST trading card set from Inkworks

[Guest]

[Bryanjs14]

Thank goodness, another three big money cards I do not need to worry about!

Anyone see these yet?
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOST-SEASON-1-MASTER-SET-COMPLETE-AUTOGRAPH_W0QQitemZ6218628495QQcategoryZ37901QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOST-SEASON-1-MASTER-SET-COMPLETE-AUTOGRAPH_W0QQitemZ6218628495QQcategoryZ37901QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I believe the master set is a bit high, I could be wrong, but I think they are asking a little too much...but what is REALLY amazing is the fact that the set with the three auto/costume cards is only $200 more! I think just one of those will sell for around $200! I guess if you do not enjoy opening the packs and just want to knock everything out this is definetly the way to go...what does everyone else think? The master too high or right around the perfect price?

[grecopa]

I say high.  If the ratios are like Serinity, it's not farfetched to hope for 10 different autos and 10 different pieceworks in a case.  That only leaves 2 autos and 2 pieceworks, plus the 3 auto/costume cards to go in the set.  So I don't think the auction without the 3 auto/costume cards is worth it.  Can't say on the complete set, who knows what the 3 premium cards will be going for.  I just hope I get one of them in my case! 

[rns91294]

I say high.  If the ratios are like Serinity, it's not farfetched to hope for 10 different autos and 10 different pieceworks in a case.  That only leaves 2 autos and 2 pieceworks, plus the 3 auto/costume cards to go in the set.  So I don't think the auction without the 3 auto/costume cards is worth it.  Can't say on the complete set, who knows what the 3 premium cards will be going for.  I just hope I get one of them in my case! 

I agree.  Their charmed set you could get almost a master set in one case as well, although you might be missing just one or two cards.  If that is the case with Inkworks (and they are usually pretty good about this stuff) then yes, the prices are too high.

[Roz]

The auto pieceworks are sure to be mini-bombs and I suspect, very successful indeed. Inkworks are usually a little fairer with their odds than for instance Topps or Artbox (which makes them more collector friendly really).

I wouldn't like to comment on the price until we have the set in hand, but I don't think the auto/auto'd pieceworks one is completely out of the realm of reality but the one without the special pieceworks is surely a little high.

[rns91294]

I agree, it really is too soon to say anything pricewise, as we really do need to see where those auto/piecework cards end up.

But for those who list these auctions, what happens if they buy loads of cases, and don't get all three of those special cards?  That would suck for the buyer, huh?

[canny19]

Perhaps the dealers have heard some juicy info about the insert rations on the cards?!
Maybe they know something we dont?! 

[Roz]

So who exactly are all these people, some of their names aren't quite enough for me:

Evangeline Lilly - Kate Austen (we know well)

Josh Holloway - James "Sawyer" Ford (we know well)

Maggie Grace - Shannon Rutherford (we know well)

Malcolm David Kelley - Walt Lloyd (we know well)

Fredric Lane - Marshal Edward Mars (the Marshal, Pilot only)

Mira Furlan - Danielle Rousseau (the French lady)

John Terry - Dr. Christian Shephard (Jack's father)

Swoosie Kurtz - Emily Annabeth Locke (not sure - Locke's Mum?)

William Mapother - Ethan Rom (ooh evil Ethan... we know all too well!)

Daniel Roebuck - Dr. Leslie Artz (the teacher who was the unfortunate resident expert on dynamite  :'()

Nick Jameson - Richard Malkin (Aussie psychic who foretold doom for Claire's baby if it was given away)

Kevin Tighe - Anthony Cooper (this one took me a bit - Locke's father!!!)

Anway that's helped clear things up for me - I hope we can add a John Locke/Terry O Quinn auto to our collecion in the next set since we have both his parents in this set

[sketchqueen]

Swoosie Kurtz is def. Locke's mom and a good signer too! The only one I couldn't figure was the Psychic ...

Also, Frederic Lehne is in more than the pilot ep. - he's also in eps. 1.2, 1.3 and then back around (for the big time) in 1.23 and 1.24 which I don't think has aired abroad? So he also ranks as a good signer

[Roz]

Also, Frederic Lehne is in more than the pilot ep. - he's also in eps. 1.2, 1.3 and then back around (for the big time) in 1.23 and 1.24 which I don't think has aired abroad? So he also ranks as a good signer

Oh yes - I'd forgotten the flashbacks, I just assumed because he'd died that was the end of the matter

I haven't seen last night's episode but other than that I'm up to date on US airings, and I'm just tucking in to reading LOST official magazine.. I guess that makes me a LOST official nerd

Sketch and Kelly have both mentioned Swoosie Kurtz as being a great signer - is she famous in the US then?

[Scifi Cards]

I agree, it really is too soon to say anything pricewise, as we really do need to see where those auto/piecework cards end up.

But for those who list these auctions, what happens if they buy loads of cases, and don't get all three of those special cards?  That would suck for the buyer, huh?

Pre-sells for master sets are a tough business.  I have been known to take orders for them, but pricing them is nearly impossible until the details on insertion ratios is known.

If it is a reputable dealer, they will do whatever it takes to finish out the set they have sold.  I've been known to buy one last card on eBay rather than to keep opening cases in hope that you find one card.

A less-than-reputable dealer might do any number of things including refunding your purchase if they couldn't do the set, giving you what they have assembled and refunding you part of what you paid, or keep your money entirely.  Best to go with a dealer you know on something as important as a master set.

Also noticed the 'master sets' above did not have any of the promos, which I consider part of a master set.  This seller also tends to use "Complete Master Set" in the auction title and then include "EXCEPT" the best cards in the description.  So read auction descriptions very closely...

Ed

[Scifi Cards]

Perhaps the dealers have heard some juicy info about the insert rations on the cards?!
Maybe they know something we dont?! 

No juicy insider information at this point, but a few observations about this and previous Inkworks sets...

Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway, and Maggie Grace will all be harder to pull.  If everyone agreed to sign the exact number of cards there will be less of their regular cards because they also signed the autographed Pieceworks cards.  This happened with the Evil Trio in Men of Sunnydale, the regular cards were harder to find because they also signed the triple auto.  And there is NO guarantee that the 'big names' in the show would agree to sign the same number of cards as everyone else.  Serenity was exceptional in this area and the exception, not the rule.

Also, there will automatically be less of these 3 cards on the open market.  People are more likely to keep these cards rather than sell them.  And from a Dealer's perspective, these cards may already be pre-sold prior to release.  I know I had orders for many of the Stargate: Atlantis autographs "should I pull them," so it might seem I never had them because they went straight to a customer.

We'll be really lucky if these autographed Pieceworks cards are inserted any more than 1 in 2 cases.

Ed

[grecopa]

Sketch and Kelly have both mentioned Swoosie Kurtz as being a great signer - is she famous in the US then?

She's not famous like Tom Cruise or anything, but she's a good actress and has been in lots of movies and tv shows over here.  I think she does a some Broadway these days.

[beckham1]

We'll be really lucky if these autographed Pieceworks cards are inserted any more than 1 in 2 cases.

Ed

I sure hope they fall at least one per case, but I know that may be wishful thinking.  What is your guess on the regular auto?  I think the Garner auto in Alias 1 and 2 were about 1 in 2 cases.  Does that sound right?  I hope you can get at least 2 of the top 4 autos in a cases and an auto PW every other would be reasonable.  Hopefully it is not 1 in 3 cases or worse.

[rns91294]

I am only getting one box, so the odds of me getting one of those auto/pieceworks cards is extremelu slim.  I think if I am going to buy any of these on eBay, this is the card I would get, as I do not have any combined auto/pieceworks cards and think it is a great idea.    I had a dream that Artbox came out with the Diggory dual for the GoF set like this, but since that didn't happen, this is as close as I will get.  Can't wait to see them!

[Roz]

I agree, it really is too soon to say anything pricewise, as we really do need to see where those auto/piecework cards end up.

But for those who list these auctions, what happens if they buy loads of cases, and don't get all three of those special cards?  That would suck for the buyer, huh?

Pre-sells for master sets are a tough business.  I have been known to take orders for them, but pricing them is nearly impossible until the details on insertion ratios is known.

If it is a reputable dealer, they will do whatever it takes to finish out the set they have sold.  I've been known to buy one last card on eBay rather than to keep opening cases in hope that you find one card.

A less-than-reputable dealer might do any number of things including refunding your purchase if they couldn't do the set, giving you what they have assembled and refunding you part of what you paid, or keep your money entirely.  Best to go with a dealer you know on something as important as a master set.

Also noticed the 'master sets' above did not have any of the promos, which I consider part of a master set. This seller also tends to use "Complete Master Set" in the auction title and then include "EXCEPT" the best cards in the description. So read auction descriptions very closely...

Ed

It's like Jo says in the X Files connections thread, on pre-sell Jo saw auto pieceworks from the set (GIllian Anderson) on buy it now for $225 or so. When the set came out that card reached $450! It's impossible to really know what everything is worth until cases are in hand and dealers know what they need to break even and get a small profit... and after that the market itself sets a price as bidding wars start for the most stunningly popular cards.

[ferdinand_the_yak]

It's taking a big gamble that may pay off or leave you rather out of pocket. You have to gauge the popularity of the set and the how willing the actors are to sign and whether they are likely to sign again. With X-F Connections, as Roz said, I was alomost going to BIN a Scully auto-PW for $225 and they went up to $500. Gillian Anderson only signed a handful of cards for 2 other series, so the going was always going to be tough for any of her auto cards. And also X-Files is a massive cult phenomenon which lasted for 9 seasons and a movie, with Lost, its very popular, but hasn't had time to really establish itself - who knows if interest will die after 2 seasons. I don't know what a good price for any of the auto/auto-PWs are... I don't know much about Inkworks and their insert rates/auto runs. And how fan-friendly are the 'big three' for this series (Evangeline, Josh and Maggie)?

Who wants to gamble?

[Eve]

Sketch and Kelly have both mentioned Swoosie Kurtz as being a great signer - is she famous in the US then?

She's not famous like Tom Cruise or anything, but she's a good actress and has been in lots of movies and tv shows over here.  I think she does a some Broadway these days.

Swoosie Kurtz achieved a rarity in the theatre - she won The Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for THE FIFTH OF JULY. I think her most mainstream movie was DANGEROUS LIASONS. I'm looking forward to getting her autograph card....

[Roz]

Sketch and Kelly have both mentioned Swoosie Kurtz as being a great signer - is she famous in the US then?

She's not famous like Tom Cruise or anything, but she's a good actress and has been in lots of movies and tv shows over here.  I think she does a some Broadway these days.

Swoosie Kurtz achieved a rarity in the theatre - she won The Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for THE FIFTH OF JULY. I think her most mainstream movie was DANGEROUS LIASONS. I'm looking forward to getting her autograph card....

Cool, I always think that Broadway/the West End is a much bigger test than film/tv acting... there's no blooper reel in the West End

I shall have to dig up some past work of hers before the set comes out

[Roz]

Also noticed the 'master sets' above did not have any of the promos, which I consider part of a master set. This seller also tends to use "Complete Master Set" in the auction title and then include "EXCEPT" the best cards in the description. So read auction descriptions very closely...

Yeah, here's a case in question, I think 90% is leaning towards the generous side of "complete autograph"

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOST-SEASON-1-MASTER-SET-COMPLETE-AUTOGRAPH-90_W0QQitemZ6219343858QQcategoryZ37901QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[sketchqueen]

it's not exactly 90% is it   You get 8/12 autos - which is 66% and you get 7/12 pieceworks, which is 58% and you get 0/3 auto'd pws - which is, well, it just isn't.

I don't know - for me, buying piecemeal like this just isn't as satisfying ... I'd rather crack a box, or a couple of boxes, or just buy the whole thing outright, but not nit-pick it to death ...