So how good are sketch cards?

[zanderlex]

i never even hears of Sketch cards until around March and then I pulled one from 2018 Han Solo box. Bit what are they? Are they rare? Are they valuable? Are they just another insert?


Generated from my LG H918 using tools.sportscard.trade



Generated from my LG H918 using tools.sportscard.trade

[glen87]

Originally Posted by zanderlex

i never even hears of Sketch cards until around March and then I pulled one from 2018 Han Solo box. Bit what are they? Are they rare? Are they valuable? Are they just another insert?


Generated from my LG H918 using tools.sportscard.trade

depends on product, artist, quality.

you have too broad of a question that can easily be answered.

[zanderlex]

Originally Posted by glen87

depends on product, artist, quality.

you have too broad of a question that can easily be answered.

The product and artist is right there.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by zanderlex

The product and artist is right there.

was referring to this part in an overall viewpoint since that is how i read it

Originally Posted by zanderlex

Bit what are they? Are they rare? Are they valuable? Are they just another insert?

who is the artist? i see the card, but cannot see the signature. possibly on the back.

[glen87]

for that set -

Sketch Artists Set Checklist
133 artists.
Sketch odds - 1:225 packs

[dd316]

Originally Posted by glen87

who is the artist? i see the card, but cannot see the signature. possibly on the back.

The second pic shows the back - Humberto Fuentes. Much like anything, Ebay is going to be the best gauge of value.



Since you're not familiar with sketch cards, you do realize each one is an original piece or art, right?

[Deathgate]

You may find this link helpful:

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=sketch+cards

[HiltonL]

"I'd buy that for a dollar!"

[aggie4ever]

Sketch cards are widely collected. Value varies based on artist, character, quality, and set, and can vary widely just like autograph cards. Some sell for only $5, some sell for hundreds.

If you want to see what range of values there are for this particular artist, search for "humberto fuentes sketch" on ebay and look at sold prices.

As mentioned above, each one is individually hand drawn, so many of us find that pretty cool and collectible. And there are many ways to collect... some collect certain artists, some collect certain characters, and some even try to collect one from each artist on a set.

[Vargaman]

Originally Posted by zanderlex

Bit what are they?
Are they rare?
Are they valuable?
Are they just another insert?

• Hand drawn art

• Usually 1 per box or a few per case, depending on the set odds shown on the wrappers

• depends on the quality and artist

• no, they're a "hit" like autos and patches/medallions

[cypher]

One of the major sketch collectors that inflated the entire market stopped collecting and liquidated through Probstein. The market hasn't recovered yet.

[mjohnatgt]

Are they rare? Overall they used to be. Because they're hand drawn (some people call them 1 of 1 originals), there will always be interest in them. If you pull up eBay and search sketch card, you'll get thousands of listings. There are plenty on comc.com as well.

It's a great place to collect if you like characters from Marvel, DC, Star Wars, etc.

[jrosales]

The market is diluted regarding Star Wars sketch cards (there are way too many of them and there are too many artists on each set). Same with other Topps non-sports properties such as Stranger Things.

However, some of the other types of properties (Rittenhouse sets such as Game of Thrones, Topps sports sets) do a really good job of not oversaturating the market with sketch cards, so these still hold significant value (in particular, as of late, Topps MLB sketch cards have been doing really well; I've been successful in getting full asking price for most of my MLB artist proof sketch cards, whereas my Star Wars ones have been sitting forever).

[webjon]

Regarding rarity -- it all has to do with the set, subject and artist.

There are currently over 38,000 active auctions for sketch cards in the non-sport section of eBay. So in general, not rare -- all of those other factors make all the difference.

[Ashes]

Originally Posted by zanderlex

i never even hears of Sketch cards until around March and then I pulled one from 2018 Han Solo box. Bit what are they? Are they rare? Are they valuable? Are they just another insert?


Generated from my LG H918 using tools.sportscard.trade



Generated from my LG H918 using tools.sportscard.trade

You have been given good insight from the members that have posted.
Hopefully, they have answered your questions.
Here is my contribution.


what are they?
Miniature art.
Typically, for what you possess, a sketch card is an original, one of a kind, piece of art created by an approved artist who has been selected by the licensed card company.
The sketch card sizes vary; the most common sketch card size is (approximately) 2.5inches by 3.5inches.

Are they rare?
Yes.
They are not mass produced cards.
Each sketch card is an original piece of art by the artist.
Because each sketch card is an original, the term "one-of-one" or "1/1" is often utilized.

Are they valuable?
Yes and no.
The question is subjective to each individual (whether buyer or seller).
Ultimately, it will be the buyer who decides what they are willing to pay to have that sketch card.
Is the artist popular amongst collectors?
Will the sketch card create a buying frenzy amongst collectors?
Is a Star Wars sketch card valuable at a place that is selling sports memorabilia?
If you are a hardcore fan of Star Trek memorabilia and you think Star Wars sucks, will you consider the Star Wars sketch card valuable?

Are they just another insert?
Yes.



Below are the only (4) Star Wars sketch cards (by the artist you have) that have sold, as of the date & time of my posting, in eBay's "Sold Items".
Note that each character is well established and popular among Star Wars fans.
The characters are Boba Fett, Princess Leia & R2-D2, Chewbacca, and Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master).



Topps Star Wars 2017 Masterwork WOOD Sketch Card BOBA FETT HUMBERTO FUENTES 1/1
eBay item number: 372685084676
Ended: Jun 13, 2019 , 8:25PM
Winning bid: US $161.19





Topps Star Wars black and white sketch card signed by Humberto Fuentes
eBay item number: 113787401485
Ended: Jun 24, 2019 , 8:17AM
Winning bid: US $19.99






TOPPS STAR WARS SOLO A STAR WARS STORY SKETCH CARD HUMBERTO FUENTES 1/1
eBay item number: 323853051186
Ended: Jul 12, 2019 , 1:22PM
Winning bid: US $26.25




Luke Skywalker Topps Star Wars Masterwork Sketch Card 1/1 Humberto Fuentes
eBay item number: 333268978821
Ended: Jul 21, 2019 , 10:54AM
Winning bid: US $11.50

[Rictor]

I think there are a lot more subject collectors than artist collectors out there. I'm personally a subject collector, and I don't care much who the artist is, unless they're a comic book pro in addition to being a sketch artist.

I think a lot of the sketch artists that fetch a high price, their cards will go down in value over time, unless they get art jobs outside of sketch cards. It seems crazy to me that I've paid less for Dave Dorman (my all-time favorite Star Wars artists) original paintings than people pay for some sketch cards by artists that have never been published.

Twenty years from now, I'm pretty sure my Dorman art will have held its value better than any sketch card.

[Raymond23]

Originally Posted by Rictor

I think there are a lot more subject collectors than artist collectors out there. I'm personally a subject collector, and I don't care much who the artist is, unless they're a comic book pro in addition to being a sketch artist.

I focused on just one set (Star Wars 40th Anniversary). Sketches are all from my favorite movie (A New Hope), and have at least one sketch from each artist (96 artists in the set). Trying to get variety of styles and subjects, but a unifying theme (Star Wars) on the same kind of blank card (glad that they didn’t have die cuts, different foils or wood cards for this set). I have about 180 sketches and still going (slowing down since the well is drying up after two years, I have most characters...including most obscure background guys, and I’m getting picky...it needs to add something to the set).

I think it turned out well, but I doubt I will ever collect any sketches after this...getting burned out and spent a lot more then I planned...

[80s Showtime]

Originally Posted by Raymond23

I focused on just one set (Star Wars 40th Anniversary). Sketches are all from my favorite movie (A New Hope), and have at least one sketch from each artist (96 artists in the set). Trying to get variety of styles and subjects, but a unifying theme (Star Wars) on the same kind of blank card (glad that they didn’t have die cuts, different foils or wood cards for this set). I have about 180 sketches and still going (slowing down since the well is drying up after two years, I have most characters...including most obscure background guys, and I’m getting picky...it needs to add something to the set).

I think it turned out well, but I doubt I will ever collect any sketches after this...getting burned out and spent a lot more then I planned...

Looks great! Hang in there on that set because you’ll probably find some deals that will add nicely to your collection in the future (and bring down your overall price per sketch card)

[EclipsEtoEvolve]

The whole reason that I'm here is 'sketch cards'.

I appreciate auto, memorabilia cards and the like, but sketch cards are where my heart is at.

[zanderlex]

Originally Posted by Ashes

You have been given good insight from the members that have posted.
Hopefully, they have answered your questions.
Here is my contribution.


what are they?
Miniature art.
Typically, for what you possess, a sketch card is an original, one of a kind, piece of art created by an approved artist who has been selected by the licensed card company.
The sketch card sizes vary; the most common sketch card size is (approximately) 2.5inches by 3.5inches.

Are they rare?
Yes.
They are not mass produced cards.
Each sketch card is an original piece of art by the artist.
Because each sketch card is an original, the term "one-of-one" or "1/1" is often utilized.

Are they valuable?
Yes and no.
The question is subjective to each individual (whether buyer or seller).
Ultimately, it will be the buyer who decides what they are willing to pay to have that sketch card.
Is the artist popular amongst collectors?
Will the sketch card create a buying frenzy amongst collectors?
Is a Star Wars sketch card valuable at a place that is selling sports memorabilia?
If you are a hardcore fan of Star Trek memorabilia and you think Star Wars sucks, will you consider the Star Wars sketch card valuable?

Are they just another insert?
Yes.



Below are the only (4) Star Wars sketch cards (by the artist you have) that have sold, as of the date & time of my posting, in eBay's "Sold Items".
Note that each character is well established and popular among Star Wars fans.
The characters are Boba Fett, Princess Leia & R2-D2, Chewbacca, and Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master).



Topps Star Wars 2017 Masterwork WOOD Sketch Card BOBA FETT HUMBERTO FUENTES 1/1
eBay item number: 372685084676
Ended: Jun 13, 2019 , 8:25PM
Winning bid: US $161.19





Topps Star Wars black and white sketch card signed by Humberto Fuentes
eBay item number: 113787401485
Ended: Jun 24, 2019 , 8:17AM
Winning bid: US $19.99






TOPPS STAR WARS SOLO A STAR WARS STORY SKETCH CARD HUMBERTO FUENTES 1/1
eBay item number: 323853051186
Ended: Jul 12, 2019 , 1:22PM
Winning bid: US $26.25




Luke Skywalker Topps Star Wars Masterwork Sketch Card 1/1 Humberto Fuentes
eBay item number: 333268978821
Ended: Jul 21, 2019 , 10:54AM
Winning bid: US $11.50

So what makes the card an $11.50 card or a $100 one? If it's character wouldn't you expect the Luke to be near the top?

It's up to the buyer but the bid wouldn't have gotten that high if thete wasn't multiple people bidding. Doesn't that mean that multiple people are overpaying for 1 but undervaluing another?

[PoPCulture]

Originally Posted by zanderlex

So what makes the card an $11.50 card or a $100 one? If it's character wouldn't you expect the Luke to be near the top?

It's up to the buyer but the bid wouldn't have gotten that high if thete wasn't multiple people bidding. Doesn't that mean that multiple people are overpaying for 1 but undervaluing another?

The Wood Sketch cards from Masterwork were much more rare than paper cards. Couple that with the subject being arguably the most collected character in the Star Wars universe and that will bring more bidders in on that one. In my experience, photorealistic Luke sketches do much better than the example posted. There are just so many factors with Sketch cards and secondary market value. The market is also not as strong, as a whole, as it was just 5 years ago.

[Ashes]

Originally Posted by PoPCulture

The Wood Sketch cards from Masterwork were much more rare than paper cards. Couple that with the subject being arguably the most collected character in the Star Wars universe and that will bring more bidders in on that one. In my experience, photorealistic Luke sketches do much better than the example posted. There are just so many factors with Sketch cards and secondary market value. The market is also not as strong, as a whole, as it was just 5 years ago.

Thanks.
You've given insight that I didn't have (i.e. wood vs. paper).

[PapaStu]

Originally Posted by zanderlex

So what makes the card an $11.50 card or a $100 one? If it's character wouldn't you expect the Luke to be near the top?

It's up to the buyer but the bid wouldn't have gotten that high if thete wasn't multiple people bidding. Doesn't that mean that multiple people are overpaying for 1 but undervaluing another?

Character is just one part of the 'value' puzzle.

In Boba's case, I'd think subject matter was a big part, the fact it was a rarer wood sketch (the art is drawn on actual wood) and it's got detail and is screen accurate. The cards that are more of an artists personal take can have a much smaller buyer pool.

Just go type in 'Star Wars Sketch card' on eBay. You can see a huge range of subject matter (somewhat determined by the set, or limitations placed by Topps/Disney), artists on the set, sketch quality, medium used, is it a special version (die cut/wood/multi-panel). That basic search term just now kicked back over 3000 results to me. There are only so many people collecting these things.

Don't forget to take into account is when is the sketch hitting auction as compared to release. Brand new release has better legs, but it's a short window especially in a saturated market like Star Wars and even more so if it's a 'bad' set, I believe that the Solo trading card series was considered bad, due to a poor autograph checklist and huge restrictions on what could be done for a sketch (which I believe was limited to a single trailer, which is why so much across the whole set is so repetitious).

Also, max bids can be a double edged sword and all it takes is two people who want the card for whatever reason to make it jump.

While not on Star Wars sketches, I have had my max's hammered hard for sketches because of the "I collect and won't lose this subject matter" and I didn't have a snipe set and just threw up a HUGE max (and I'm sure that I had the few other bidders know there was someone chasing that subject matter and they were going to make me pay).

[cypher]

Wood sketch cards do not make a sketch more valuable. I pulled an Adriana Vanderstelt wood sketch that looked like an elementary school drawing.

[eldavojohn]

Originally Posted by cypher

Wood sketch cards do not make a sketch more valuable. I pulled an Adriana Vanderstelt wood sketch that looked like an elementary school drawing.

Sure it does! If that's MW15 there was only five of her sketches on wood. Plus the novelty of the wood -- they're so much rarer. Sight unseen, I'd pay $25 for your Adriana Vanderstelt wood sketch versus sight unseen I'd pay $5 for your Adriana Vanderstelt MW15 sketch. I will back up those prices, please PM me if you want to move the wood sketch for $25.