Pre War Accrington Stanley Programmes

[Ringo]

Hello,

I have come into my posession around 50 Accrington Stanley Home Programmes from around 1936-38 in very good condition (no creases, marks, rusty staples - just a little fusty).

I just wondered whether anbody could help with an approximate guide price for AS progs from this era. I appreciate some may be worth more than others so I was hoping for the lower end of the scale and anything else may be a bonus.

Many thanks for any help.

[Wullie]

Wow what a collection. I would say easy £100 plus each. The only trouble is , if you wanted to sell them , say on ebay , if you listed them all in one go, the price would drop . Better to " drip feed " them on to the market, i would say.

[holtie96]

agreed!
Would be more than happy to buy one off you.
If you send a list, I am sure the forum would help.
How about giving forum members an opportunity to own a pre war accrington programme at an agreed price that can be validated by the members?
Failing that, would love to know more about the collection.
Well done mate
Holtie

[ForestMick]

I think that's a good idea Holtie. List your progs, and if someone wants to buy, let everyone advise you as to a fair price.
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[Auchinleckian]

Could be a wind up...........

[andyfromboston]

50 Pre War Spaccy Stanley programmes turn up just like that......

I'm with Auch, I smell bullshit!

[Wullie]

andyfromboston wrote:

50 Pre War Spaccy Stanley programmes turn up just like that...... I'm with Auch, I smell bullshit!

Anything is possible. An old bloke dies..relatives look in the attic , who knows what's hanging around. The only problem i have is they are all in excellent condition. No folds , No rusty staples? I wonder if you can show a photo of the collection before everyone starts sending off any money . ( if of course he want's to sell)

[Auchinleckian]

What made me think it might be a wind up is the fact that it's the guys first posting. However, he knew the terminology associated with the condition of programmes. Given that, I thought he'd have had at least some idea of the value? Let's face it, it's not difficult to go onto ebay and check out pre war league programmes....
I would never offer any kind of value for such an instance, it's not what this site is about, is it?

[holtie96]

I see where everyone is coming from but with all due respect, you find me any listing on ebay or any google search that gives a 1938 Accrington Stanley price?
This site is beginning to attract interest so can't see why somebody wouldn't ask us.
Saying that, i agree that there should be a sense of scepticism, until we see photos. It will be interesting just to see them first, then if we are able to give sound, honest advice the seller will either let us own one or will most probably pop off to the nearest auction house or list on ebay.
Let's see what the next few days bring and yes, this could be a wind up, but let's reserve judgement before commenting on our new poster.
Cheers
holtie

[Ringo]

Hello again,

Thanks for the answers. It was a serious question. A much older friend of mine was given them from a gentleman who was moving house into an old peoples home and said that they were originally the gentlemans fathers. He is potentially looking to sell and if he decides to, said we could go halves if I did the leg work!

I said I would investigate further and find out if they were of any value (I had an idea that they may be of some worth) as he has no concept of the internet etc. I stumbled across this forum whilst trying to search for an approximate price but as a previous poster has already said, I couldnt find any AS from the 1930's anywhere.

I have been an avid collector of Cambridge United programmes and own a complete set of H & A from our first league season (1970) to date. I also occassionally sell on ebay some spares but havent done so for a while. Please feel free to check my ebay account (ringo_76). My knowledge of anything older that the 60's is pretty non-existant.

I should hopefully be seeing him tomorrow and will obtain a list and some pictures.

[Tynie Topics]

Welcome Ringo, it would be good to see a list and what sort of condition they are in.
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[Auchinleckian]

I realise the pre war Stanley programmes are not exactly common.

However, post war examples abound on ebay, and it's easy to access their prices. People can then see that they attract a premium price in comparison to others of that era, and usually sell for a minimum of £10 when other late 50's items are sometimes lucky to make a pound or two.

It's then fairly easy to see prices realised for the harder to get hold pre war issues. Discount the likes of the Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Fulham, Villa and West Brom, and you get the average price for pre war issues which isn't cheap. You then add the obvious premium, and it really isn't difficult to work out what such programmes are likely to go for.

They were a third division north side then, and playing the likes of New Brighton, Gateshead, Barrow etc. So if there are any against the likes of those sides you can probably start to appreciate their scarcity.

In the F A Cup, in 36/7 they played Wellington Town and Tumbridge Wells Rangers - so the scope there would widen to take in non league in the cup collectors, as well as a home tie against Blackburn, which would be hugley collectable. In 37/ they played Lancaster City three times in the F A Cup, and Palace at home in the next round, again hugely collectable as Palace are one of the more popular clubs.

In the Lancashire Cup, they didn't pull up any trees but did play Manchester United in 37/8 at Old Trafford, in front of a huge crowd of 2,000. If there was a programme for that game, it would probably be one of United's rarest ever programmes givent he attendance? That programme would attract huge interest, and I assume a minimum price of £400.

If this collection does turn out to be cosher, it will be very interesting to see the clamour for them.

[holtie96]

Hi Ringo
I think you will find that you will be able to get some friendly, fair and honest advice on here. Don't whatever you do go to a dealer with these, you are likely to get only 50% of what they are worth.
I can't speak for people on here, but I would love to own a pre war issue and I am sure others would.
Would love to see some photos.
I agree with the previous listing, that selling in bulk would reduce the potential return. Also having such a large number may dilute the value over the course of selling.
These don't come up often, so I am pleased for the old guy, should this all be genuine.
If you would consider selling individually to genuine collectors on this site, please let us know.
Best wishes
Holtie

[rob71]

I think this post shows the how good it is to have a forum such as this. A guy obtains some old rare programmes and want more information so searches on the internet. Finding this forum he thinks it is worth positing to try to find out more information about their value from collectors who have more experience than himself.

I understand there is caution until members see photos and more information regarding condition, but much better he seeks advice here than from someone dodgy who might try to get them on the cheap.

[andyfromboston]

Apologies for doubting you........like the others say a list and pictures would be a big help here.

Needless to say it sounds like a little gold mine.

[Wulfrunian]

I think this posting shows that the forum is doing what its supposed to, pooling knowledge to help out someone who needs it. I think the sceptecism was well founded, but if it is genuine, he and his friend will appreciate the unbiased advice that a dealer probably wouldnt have readily given. So congrats to all who have helped.

Oh and welcome to you Ringo too
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[Wullie]

I couldn't agree more. Avoid dealers at all costs, ( no disrespect , but obviously they'll want to make a profit on them). I often wonder what would would happen, if i ever came across a vast collection of Sunderland Home pre war programmes. How would i sell them? Would i want to sell them? Of course, the reason they are so valuable is they are so scarce ( like Accrington). What would be the risk to value if the market was suddenly flooded with them ? Would they be worth no more than a common Chelsea or an Arsenal and would people then turn their noses up at them? Very interesting thoughts....

[Posh1959]

Hi Ringo PM sent, i believe in good condition you are looking at £200- £250 each.

[lambie the leap]

Ringo. PM also sent. I think £300 each is too high an estimate. I live in Accrington and have a fairly good knowledge of Stanley programmes, and pre War ones do crop up occasionally. The main problem is that many of the games will be against less collectable clubs.

[Auchinleckian]

Both views are right to a certain extent. My earlier posting about the Stanley programmes - should they exist - is that certain items will command higher premium prices than the others. Somebody else also made the point that if they all come on the market in one go then the price will suffer for the vendor. That is undoubtedly the case, and it would be a problem for the vendor.
If there are 50 of them between 1936 and 1938 I'm making the assumption that they probably represent about two complete seasons? The league only comprised of 88 clubs then, pre 1950, and consequently each team in each league played 42 games per season. 50 programmes would probably indicate 42 home league games, give or take a few, plus FA Cup ties, Lancashire Cup etc.
If only one programme was to come on to the market it would undoubtedly go for £200 plus - 50 wouldn't. Doubt there's too many serious Stanley collectors, and once someone has a pre war Stanley they're probably out of the running for another one? It's the away teams who will determine the price of each programme. All depends whether or not the vendor wants a quick sale, and not too bothered about trying to get as much as possible for them, or whether they're prepared to sit it out and drip feed them onto the market, in which case they'll undoubtedly get more for them.