Re: [MOPO] When to break a set?

[Flixspix]

Alan, Your question should bring in all kinds of opinion I would think.  It becomes an argument of dollars versus collector's philosophy in most cases.   It also becomes a question of desirable cards in a given set.  Best example  I can think of  in not breaking a set is Lawrence of Arabia.  A full set consistently well command 800 - 1000  dollars.  If you break up set,  the title card will get $400  the portrait card of O'toole  maybe $200   and good luck getting sold the rest at any price.   Heritage has demonstrated time and again breaking up sets generates far more dollars than a complete set.  So has Bruce. Take a full set of Invasion of the Saucermen.  So many of the cards will achieve  $400 individually.   But to generate $3000  for a full set is not impossible it just seriously limits the chances.  So many go the route of least resistance and higher dollars.   But take a film, I will use one I experienced recently, Hondo.  Building a full set where all the cards were pristine took me a total of acquiring 14 Hondo cards to create the best possible set of 8.  I was able to sell the other cards, some I had minor pin holes filled as long as image of Wayne a winner.  Those cards sold  but multiplying by 8 it would have been just short of what I ultimately sold the full set for.  But this set building took over a year, I felt some premium in order for the effort made.   This enterprise worked out just okay.    But presently I have 7 stone mint scene cards of YOU WERE NEVER LOVLIER.  I am missing the title card.   I have passed on several because they would not match the quality of the other cards.   But I have asked myself would paying a premium for a mint title card completing my set enhance the demand for such a set or would I be better to break up set given the fact that one of the cards,  Rita and Fred leaping,  sells alone for over a 1000.00.  We are still in limbo over this scenario.   A set I built which took over three years was acquiring a full set of all 8 deluxe lobby cards for the '39 JESSE JAMES.  I can't recall paying more than $175  for any card but I sold the set  listing on Ebay for just over  $1600.00.  I thought it would have done better.   So Alan  when you say break up the set with each card more than $50...... I  think you have to assess the overall "take"   on a set.  Some may sell for over $150  but others will end up generating no sale.   Its a law of averages.          freeman fisher 8601 west knoll drive #7 west hollywood, ca 90069 Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.