I was watching the Memorial yesterday, and of course Nicklaus was a part of the telecast, and at the same time I was on GolfWRX on my laptop. I came across an article about the MacGregor Nicklaus Muirfield 20th Edition irons that caught my attention. When my son (he's 51 yrs old now) was in high school, he was a huge Nicklaus fan (as was I) and a pretty fair HS golfer, so when he graduated from HS in 1987, a set of these irons seemed like an appropriate gift....something he would keep and remember for a long time. So, we bought them, and he loved them and used them until a few years ago, when I gave him a set of my old Ping i5's that had gotten too stiff
for me in my old age!
Last year, he asked me if I could sell the Muirfields for him, as he didn't have any use for them any more. So, I took them and (after trying to hit them myself.....LOL....and learning once again that there's a HUGE difference between classic blades and modern game improvement clubs!) eventually sold them to one of those online sites that buys and sells used clubs. I waited until they offered a 50% bonus on trade-ins, and got about $50 bucks for them, IIRC. Gave him the money.
So, I'm reading the article, and it led to an interview with Clay Long, the guy who had designed the blade for Nicklaus, and he's describing the process, etc.....all very interesting. And they're talking about how these irons are SOOoooo sought after by collectors, and I'm getting this sinking feeling in my stomach....OMG....did I get rid of something that has real collectors value?? So, I go to Ebay, and found at least one set that was BRAND NEW, and they're asking $750!!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MacGregor-Jack-Nicklaus-Muirfield-20th-3-SW-mint-condition/153952770890?hash=item23d84cdb4a:g:YswAAOSwzO5e0dN0
Of course, they ARE in perfect shape, and his were definitely NOT, as they were +30 year old clubs. I did notice that there were plenty of other sets in similar shape to his that were "asking" much more reasonable prices. The point I'm trying to make is that I assumed that the market for collectable clubs has come and gone, but maybe I am wrong.....???