Damn Confused. Who's more popular? The recent grads or the old schoolers.
So we're stuck approaching hump day of a week between EMU and Indiana. Not that either is a slouch, just not like its ND or OSU week. Hope you don't mind the post but I seek knowledge.
Very confused about something. So I've been working with all this Michigan memorabilia stuff for three years now. Wasn't knowledgable on the subject at all before I started trying to fundraise using it. This year has completely baffled me.
So I list these two from years past and was hoping to get anything for them and they're doing OK (cleared $100 each)
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=90276375
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=75917044
But:
Chad Henne - NADA!
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=67351282
David Harris - No Love.
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=91161175
Steve Breaston - Can't get to a Benjamin.
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=90286303
I don't get this at all. Thought the recent grads/guys still in the NFL would do better. Thoughts from the peanut gallery?
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:03 PM ^
The big issue is that recent guys can still sign stuff. If I buy a picture or helmet and head to a Dolphins pre-season game, I can probably walk away with both a souvenir and a story. Simply purchasing it seems less personal. It feels like the cheap way out.
The old stuff is much harder to come by, and purchasing it is the only way to go. If you see something you like, you just pay until its yours because you won't know when you'll get another chance.
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:15 PM ^
Who really has time to go do all that though? Get your point about the personal thing.
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 PM ^
People with the money to spend on that probably were around when those old guys were donning the winged helmets.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 PM ^
For me, old school players bring back great memories that have been buried for years. Players like Henne and Hart may have graduated, but they played at UM so recently, there's no nostalgia. Time seems to make memories even sweeter.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:58 PM ^
I'm not sure how helpful this is, but here are a few of my thoughts to your question:
I think a player's legend grows the further they're removed from the game, so although each of the players you listed were stars in their own right while at UM, the older players end up becoming more revered at this point in time.
Some of that may be due to the target audience of a $100-ish auction. I think it's natural that as you get older (and have more disposable income to put in an auction) that you get nostalgic for the "old days", so maybe seeing a Ron Johnson or Bob Chappius item rekindles that era you grew up a fan.
The specific item can also be a drawing card, depending on its uniqueness and perceived rarity. An 8x10 of Chad Henne is more standard than say, a game program of a memorable Henne game, just like an autographed replica jersey is viewed as less "valuable" than a game-used one.
However, it's impossible to please everyone and difficult in memorabilia to know what will strike a chord with a certain group of people. Sometimes it's a surprise what ends up getting bid up and what doesn't, but I guess just live and learn and adjust accordingly.
Good Luck!