Sports Cards Live 289 keeps rolling as Jeremy, Leighton, and Dan mix vintage story time with some uncomfortable questions about how our comp driven hobby really works. Leighton shares a new prewar pickup with a great family backstory, Jeremy shows off a low grade vintage grail that punches way above the label, and Dan comes in hot with ideas on what needs to change at the auction house level if collectors are going to trust comps again.

In this segment of Sports Cards Live 289, we touch on:

• A rare prewar pickup Leighton chased to Nashville, including why its regional roots and family history make it more than just another group of old cards

• Jeremy’s latest vintage hockey addition that tests how far you are willing to bend on grade when centering, color, and overall presence are all there

• The challenge of valuing cards that almost never trade publicly, and what it looks like to price and buy in a world where the usual comp tools are not much help

• Dan’s case for stronger transparency from auction houses, from bidder vetting to what we should really be able to see when we place a bid

• How secret reserves, house bidding, and inflated bid counts can quietly shape prices and collector behavior far beyond a single auction

• The tension between fighting the good fight on shill bidding and still keeping enough joy in the hobby to enjoy shows, trades, and collecting with friends

Your comments and questions drive the show, so jump in live or in the replay chat and let us know where you stand on rare regional issues, low grade stunners, and what you expect from auction houses going forward.

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