Video Life and MagiCard "FOUND", Need Advice

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What you see here are the original Video Life and MagiCard, not reproductions. They have been owned by only one individual, a good friend for 32 years, who purchased them direct from CommaVid back in the day. I stand behind him AND the authenticity of both items.

 

 

First, the introductory photos:

 

 

 

Here's the story, briefly:

 

My friend had ordered and received Video Life and MagiCard the same time I did (May 1984) using a copy of the order form I gave him. He thought he had misplaced or lost them in a basement flood years ago. Lots of his Atari stuff had been ruined and was thrown away including, apparently, the manual and overlays for the MagiCard.

Last week he finally took the time to go through all the remaining boxes and found what you see here. He has asked me to hold the items for safe-keeping and documentation, and to help him find a buyer. He agreed with me that the Atari Age community was an excellent place to start by seeking advice on how best to sell these rarities.

This is not yet a solicitation for offers because he's looking for objective viewpoints on just how valuable these items might be, considering their less-than-pristine condition. That said, he HAS done his own research and believes he can get between $1800 and $2400 for Video Life CIB and perhaps around $200 for MagiCard, though they certainly do not have to be sold together.

 

 

Here are more detailed photos:

 

 

 

 

 

(Please note the torn top flap of the Video Life box as well as the water stains on the MagiCard cart end and the back of the Video Life manual. Remarkably, water doesn't seem to have touched anything else. I DO have more photos including screen shots that show both carts tested and working, but they won't upload despite being less than 500kb each. If or when the time comes, I can provide them via email.)

 

 

My friend has told me he's looking for a minimum of $2000 total for both, again to be sold separately OR together depending on response. So, please allow me to ask for the following:

Opinions, comments, questions, rants, suggestions, ANYTHING BUT OFFERS! This forum is for discussion, not sales. eBay is a possibility but he wants these to go to the Classic Gaming Community and I'm glad he feels that way. As a member, I would be remiss if I didn't bring this opportunity to your collective attention.

If anyone is interested in making an offer, send me a PM expressing interest but PLEASE do not mention ANY numbers.

I will share with him EVERYTHING said here and in the PMs, giving him your views and the number of interested parties, if any. Once there's a consensus, he will decide how to proceed and I'll inform the community accordingly in this thread.

 

If he decides to proceed with the sale HERE, I will post a NEW thread in the Marketplace Forum where I will invite offers and suggest a deadline.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to any and every response.

 

[nofrills100]

I hate threads like this

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding! I hate them cause I know I'll never own them!

 

Amen!

[atari181]

Ah man! I need to check my finances! Very nice

[Rick Weis]

I would suggest him either doing it here on AA or GameGavel! I think his thoughts on what video life is worth are way off! even in that condition! IMO

 

I wish him good luck with his sale!

 

Rick

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I resized the other 9 photos and here they are:

 

 

Specific damage to the Video Life box (crease, dent, puncture, rip, scrape)...

 

 

 

Bleeding rust on the staples of the Video Life manual (due to water damage)...

 

 

 

Screenshots...

 

 

 

They were tested on my modded 6-switch to accommodate the widescreen.

 

Note you're getting a glimpse of The Atari Wall (FINAL version), still in progress.

 

[iwan-iwanowitsch-goratschin]

These are true gems! Good luck on the sale..

[Trade-N-Games]

PM sent would love to add them to my collection!

[atari181]

IMO he is thinking too low on the Magicard. I would say at least twice that

[Marco]

Nice finds!

 

Gems like these are always tough to value, but maybe $1k on the Magicard and $5k on the boxed Videolife?

 

Cheers,

Marco

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To those who have expressed interest, please check your PMs.

[atari181]

I am interested, I was only honoring your request to not ask about buying them at this time.

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Since interest in Video Life CIB and MagiCard loose has been favorble, the owner has decided to proceed with the sale here on Atari Age.

 

You'll find the Marketplace threads for Video Life here:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/228379-video-life-cib-by-commavid-for-sale/

...and MagiCard here:

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/228381-magicard-cartridge-by-commavid-for-sale/

 

 

Deadline to make offers is this Thursday evening, August 7th.

Thanks to everyone for their input!