Jensen Huang really set the table pretty well in his GTC keynote... The next frontier is physical AI. mechanical thought has been largely solved, but now we need world models and semantic context which can be used safely in robotics. I expect to see modern piracy in my lifetime... a.k.a. Hakim Bey
since the original post the nasdaq wnet from 17785 to 25810 today
cards -- pokemon is totally out of control. prices are busting at the seams. sports cards are on an unbelievable run, where 1984 psa 10 nolan ryan's go from $500 to $1800 during the same time frame..and thats just the tip of the iceberg
but really it wasn't tough to predict. just follow the fundamentals. when people feel good they spend money, when people feel worried they don't.
but as things get better, its hard to think that prices of everyday items are going to go down. the world doesn't work that way. more spending begets higher prices just like with the nolan ryan's.
@olb31 said:
I really believe that card prices are getting ready to explode later in the year. Much like the stock market right now, time to buy!!!!
this was the very first post on March 20, 2025. I knew things were going to be big but I would have never guessed things would have exploded like they have good and bad.
1) Card grading - almost extinct now. prices are 4 or 5 times more or non-existent.
2) Number of cards being graded is just off the hook. PSA does more in 1 year then they did in the first 30 years of existence.
3) Card Prices - (not all of course) - many of big time players have blown up. low serial number autos driving the sports market to a large degree and vintage 8's and up.
4) total market value - my portfolio of graded cards has spiked up over 33% in this time period, with some stuff triple what is was on this date.
5) while we are being told the economy is just ok or bad, the card and grading market are telling us something 180 dgress different. There must be a lot more disposable income in our economy than is being told. No other way to look at.
6) Unopened packs and boxes. I have a 1994 Upper deck unopened box of baseball that went from $250 to about $1,500 in a year and a half. You can't hardly find skybox basketball boxes from the 90's. 1990 fleer baskets doubled or tripled. baseball and football more steady but strong. 1.1 million for 8 unopened packs of 1952 topps--crazy prices.
since the original post the nasdaq wnet from 17785 to 25810 today
cards -- pokemon is totally out of control. prices are busting at the seams. sports cards are on an unbelievable run, where 1984 psa 10 nolan ryan's go from $500 to $1800 during the same time frame..and thats just the tip of the iceberg
but really it wasn't tough to predict. just follow the fundamentals. when people feel good they spend money, when people feel worried they don't.
but as things get better, its hard to think that prices of everyday items are going to go down. the world doesn't work that way. more spending begets higher prices just like with the nolan ryan's.
Tell me what the number for the NASDAQ will be in 6 months from today please. This is how predictions work.
I could say “Things gonna get weird” and just wait until they do.
@olb31 said:
I really believe that card prices are getting ready to explode later in the year. Much like the stock market right now, time to buy!!!!
this was the very first post on March 20, 2025. I knew things were going to be big but I would have never guessed things would have exploded like they have good and bad.
1) Card grading - almost extinct now. prices are 4 or 5 times more or non-existent.
2) Number of cards being graded is just off the hook. PSA does more in 1 year then they did in the first 30 years of existence.
3) Card Prices - (not all of course) - many of big time players have blown up. low serial number autos driving the sports market to a large degree and vintage 8's and up.
4) total market value - my portfolio of graded cards has spiked up over 33% in this time period, with some stuff triple what is was on this date.
5) while we are being told the economy is just ok or bad, the card and grading market are telling us something 180 dgress different. There must be a lot more disposable income in our economy than is being told. No other way to look at.
6) Unopened packs and boxes. I have a 1994 Upper deck unopened box of baseball that went from $250 to about $1,500 in a year and a half. You can't hardly find skybox basketball boxes from the 90's. 1990 fleer baskets doubled or tripled. baseball and football more steady but strong. 1.1 million for 8 unopened packs of 1952 topps--crazy prices.
Since March 2025 the S&P 500 is up 36.6% and the Nasdaq up 70.5%. I don't think you're looking at an even distribution here regarding economic activity and I wouldn't leverage sports/ trading cards, even at the low-end, for a pulse on the economy.
@olb31 said:
I really believe that card prices are getting ready to explode later in the year. Much like the stock market right now, time to buy!!!!
this was the very first post on March 20, 2025. I knew things were going to be big but I would have never guessed things would have exploded like they have good and bad.
1) Card grading - almost extinct now. prices are 4 or 5 times more or non-existent.
2) Number of cards being graded is just off the hook. PSA does more in 1 year then they did in the first 30 years of existence.
3) Card Prices - (not all of course) - many of big time players have blown up. low serial number autos driving the sports market to a large degree and vintage 8's and up.
4) total market value - my portfolio of graded cards has spiked up over 33% in this time period, with some stuff triple what is was on this date.
5) while we are being told the economy is just ok or bad, the card and grading market are telling us something 180 dgress different. There must be a lot more disposable income in our economy than is being told. No other way to look at.
6) Unopened packs and boxes. I have a 1994 Upper deck unopened box of baseball that went from $250 to about $1,500 in a year and a half. You can't hardly find skybox basketball boxes from the 90's. 1990 fleer baskets doubled or tripled. baseball and football more steady but strong. 1.1 million for 8 unopened packs of 1952 topps--crazy prices.
I hope this act of self-congratulation provides sufficient reinforcement to temporarily alleviate what appears to be a rather pronounced need for external validation 🙂, because BGR is correct
since the original post the nasdaq wnet from 17785 to 25810 today
cards -- pokemon is totally out of control. prices are busting at the seams. sports cards are on an unbelievable run, where 1984 psa 10 nolan ryan's go from $500 to $1800 during the same time frame..and thats just the tip of the iceberg
but really it wasn't tough to predict. just follow the fundamentals. when people feel good they spend money, when people feel worried they don't.
but as things get better, its hard to think that prices of everyday items are going to go down. the world doesn't work that way. more spending begets higher prices just like with the nolan ryan's.
Tell me what the number for the NASDAQ will be in 6 months from today please. This is how predictions work.
I could say “Things gonna get weird” and just wait until they do.
@olb31 said:
I really believe that card prices are getting ready to explode later in the year. Much like the stock market right now, time to buy!!!!
this was the very first post on March 20, 2025. I knew things were going to be big but I would have never guessed things would have exploded like they have good and bad.
1) Card grading - almost extinct now. prices are 4 or 5 times more or non-existent.
2) Number of cards being graded is just off the hook. PSA does more in 1 year then they did in the first 30 years of existence.
3) Card Prices - (not all of course) - many of big time players have blown up. low serial number autos driving the sports market to a large degree and vintage 8's and up.
4) total market value - my portfolio of graded cards has spiked up over 33% in this time period, with some stuff triple what is was on this date.
5) while we are being told the economy is just ok or bad, the card and grading market are telling us something 180 dgress different. There must be a lot more disposable income in our economy than is being told. No other way to look at.
6) Unopened packs and boxes. I have a 1994 Upper deck unopened box of baseball that went from $250 to about $1,500 in a year and a half. You can't hardly find skybox basketball boxes from the 90's. 1990 fleer baskets doubled or tripled. baseball and football more steady but strong. 1.1 million for 8 unopened packs of 1952 topps--crazy prices.
Since March 2025 the S&P 500 is up 36.6% and the Nasdaq up 70.5%. I don't think you're looking at an even distribution here regarding economic activity and I wouldn't leverage sports/ trading cards, even at the low-end, for a pulse on the economy.
>
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972) Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
@olb31 said:
1982 - if things were bad, sports cards and pokemon would be worse. most people like heat a/c cars and food much more than cards.
There are multiple factors but, primarily, look at cards as a new asset class and look at that in the shadow of inflationary pressures. Then consider the last few years from an asset class perspective versus a wage class perspective.
Then ask yourself the value of an accounting degree.
how about i look at it as -- cards have exploded in value -- as this is what the post is about. trying to examine asset class vs wage class is meaningless to me, i could care less. i examined that my 1988 fleer jprdan psa 10 went from $4,000 to $14,000 in 18 months.
the value of an accounting degree is good but its not everything. a lot of my clients make well above what i make, some never went to college. its not about degrees its about hard work and dedication. plenty of people have meaningless degrees. and plenty of accountants don't make crap.
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
Yup. It's why this conversation exists in a cuddly corner. Understanding market activity is paramount to being a successfully casual and callous collector. At least we can each interpret that in our own way. Outside the comfort of this nest, much different.
Have you guys seen the EXPLOSION of graded 1977 STAR WARS (series 1 specifically) in the last 3 weeks... Your minds WILL be begoggled. Also ever since that 1960's spiderman PSA 9 card sold for a HUUUGE price 2 weeks ago or so? It flowed almost instantly to my 3 1975 and 1976 TOPPS marvel sticker unopened boxes and single cards. Turned into a small fortune almost overnight. Never ever ever seen vintage material EXPLODE 5-10X times in value in ONE MONTH. This stuff has been around for years then BAME.
@olb31 said:
how about i look at it as -- cards have exploded in value -- as this is what the post is about. trying to examine asset class vs wage class is meaningless to me, i could care less. i examined that my 1988 fleer jprdan psa 10 went from $4,000 to $14,000 in 18 months.
the value of an accounting degree is good but its not everything. a lot of my clients make well above what i make, some never went to college. its not about degrees its about hard work and dedication. plenty of people have meaningless degrees. and plenty of accountants don't make crap.
I think you mean couldn't care less. Could care less implies that you do care some
@HOMETOWNSPORTS said:
Have you guys seen the EXPLOSION of graded 1977 STAR WARS (series 1 specifically) in the last 3 weeks... Your minds WILL be begoggled. Also ever since that 1960's spiderman PSA 9 card sold for a HUUUGE price 2 weeks ago or so? It flowed almost instantly to my 3 1975 and 1976 TOPPS marvel sticker unopened boxes and single cards. Turned into a small fortune almost overnight. Never ever ever seen vintage material EXPLODE 5-10X times in value in ONE MONTH. This stuff has been around for years then BAME.
Raw Star Wars cards as well. Mind boggling prices for the popular singles.
@HOMETOWNSPORTS said:
Have you guys seen the EXPLOSION of graded 1977 STAR WARS (series 1 specifically) in the last 3 weeks... Your minds WILL be begoggled. Also ever since that 1960's spiderman PSA 9 card sold for a HUUUGE price 2 weeks ago or so? It flowed almost instantly to my 3 1975 and 1976 TOPPS marvel sticker unopened boxes and single cards. Turned into a small fortune almost overnight. Never ever ever seen vintage material EXPLODE 5-10X times in value in ONE MONTH. This stuff has been around for years then BAME.
And how exactly is it NOT a bubble?
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972) Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
@1982FootballWax Of course this is a bubble that is blowing up quickly and like most all bubbles contract or pop? at some point. Now when is anybody's guess right?. Alot of these 1977 star wars card series 1 have been increasing by like 20% daily for the past week it seems. Some of the key cards in the set are getting snapped up almost instantly in any grade the day they are listed so it seems it still has room to continue to expand. What makes this bubble interesting is those who react to it with the raw cards and see this have to currently pay $80 and wait what like 3 months? to get the cards back so it will be interesting to see how big this gets and when it starts to get smaller. Now your thoughts are welcome on this!!
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
when exactly does it get better for the ones you are talking about? when the nolan ryan rookie psa 8 hits $100,000, $200,000, $500,000? Or when the nasdaq hits 30,000, 40,000, 50,000? You just said above the stock market is on fire just like the cards, so I assume it needs to get hotter than this for the other folks to start making money? How hot does it need to get?
I have a friend who didn't graduate HS and started mowing grass. He makes around $200,000 a year. His wife is a manager at a day care and makes about $100,000. $300k in SWVA is decent money, very nice money. And all they did was go to work and raise their kids. Nothing magical.
I would suggest this same path for the ones you are concerned about.
The current backlog for grading creates a sticky situation. I've got some raw cards that should grade very well, but if they take too long to get back I might miss the ride up...
@HOMETOWNSPORTS said: @1982FootballWax Of course this is a bubble that is blowing up quickly and like most all bubbles contract or pop? at some point. Now when is anybody's guess right?. Alot of these 1977 star wars card series 1 have been increasing by like 20% daily for the past week it seems. Some of the key cards in the set are getting snapped up almost instantly in any grade the day they are listed so it seems it still has room to continue to expand. What makes this bubble interesting is those who react to it with the raw cards and see this have to currently pay $80 and wait what like 3 months? to get the cards back so it will be interesting to see how big this gets and when it starts to get smaller. Now your thoughts are welcome on this!!
Thanks. Ive a large bunch of PSA 9 & 10 + CGC 10 1975-76 Marvel Stickers purchases slabbed as well as self submitted plus multiple raw sets self accumulated over the years.
While I never sell cards Im going to make an exception.
Ive decided to "consign" them to a buddy who own a comic shop and does online sales at multiple venues.
If, big if, I get anywhere near going rate I will use the funds to add an extension on to my home...?
If it works out I'll be able to tell guests that portion of the home funded by the rubes who purchased Punisher and Howard The Duck "Rookies"
The whole thing is laughable as the supply of them is large but due to low demand few were slabbed before recently
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972) Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
@HOMETOWNSPORTS said: @1982FootballWax Of course this is a bubble that is blowing up quickly and like most all bubbles contract or pop? at some point. Now when is anybody's guess right?. Alot of these 1977 star wars card series 1 have been increasing by like 20% daily for the past week it seems. Some of the key cards in the set are getting snapped up almost instantly in any grade the day they are listed so it seems it still has room to continue to expand. What makes this bubble interesting is those who react to it with the raw cards and see this have to currently pay $80 and wait what like 3 months? to get the cards back so it will be interesting to see how big this gets and when it starts to get smaller. Now your thoughts are welcome on this!!
Thanks. Ive a large bunch of PSA 9 & 10 + CGC 10 1975-76 Marvel Stickers purchases slabbed as well as self submitted plus multiple raw sets self accumulated over the years.
While I never sell cards Im going to make an exception.
Ive decided to "consign" them to a buddy who own a comic shop and does online sales at multiple venues.
If, big if, I get anywhere near going rate I will use the funds to add an extension on to my home...?
If it works out I'll be able to tell guests that portion of the home funded by the rubes who purchased Punisher and Howard The Duck "Rookies"
The whole thing is laughable as the supply of them is large but due to low demand few were slabbed before recently
Good for you, man. I did similar last fall. First time I've ever sold but just got sick of having tons of them around and consigned/sold 3/4 of my collection. I put most right in the market (which turned out to be a good thing in hindsight) with the intention of redoing our house later.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
when exactly does it get better for the ones you are talking about? when the nolan ryan rookie psa 8 hits $100,000, $200,000, $500,000? Or when the nasdaq hits 30,000, 40,000, 50,000? You just said above the stock market is on fire just like the cards, so I assume it needs to get hotter than this for the other folks to start making money? How hot does it need to get?
I have a friend who didn't graduate HS and started mowing grass. He makes around $200,000 a year. His wife is a manager at a day care and makes about $100,000. $300k in SWVA is decent money, very nice money. And all they did was go to work and raise their kids. Nothing magical.
I would suggest this same path for the ones you are concerned about.
I don't know what point you're trying to make. Do you know how CPI works? A lot of the people impacted are those on fixed incomes. That's beside the point I was making. I was trying to explain that we're still in a very K-shaped economy - this means good for those of us who are fortunate and bad for those of us who are not. The widening divide between asset-owners and wage-earners remains the defining feature of our economy. Trading cards have become an alternative asset class and lots of money is flowing in and prices are rising and markets have also been riding high but that only looks at a tiny fraction of what's going on in the US and World economies. I'm sure you're right though now that I think about it.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
when exactly does it get better for the ones you are talking about? when the nolan ryan rookie psa 8 hits $100,000, $200,000, $500,000? Or when the nasdaq hits 30,000, 40,000, 50,000? You just said above the stock market is on fire just like the cards, so I assume it needs to get hotter than this for the other folks to start making money? How hot does it need to get?
I have a friend who didn't graduate HS and started mowing grass. He makes around $200,000 a year. His wife is a manager at a day care and makes about $100,000. $300k in SWVA is decent money, very nice money. And all they did was go to work and raise their kids. Nothing magical.
I would suggest this same path for the ones you are concerned about.
I don't know what point you're trying to make. Do you know how CPI works? A lot of the people impacted are those on fixed incomes. That's beside the point I was making. I was trying to explain that we're still in a very K-shaped economy - this means good for those of us who are fortunate and bad for those of us who are not. The widening divide between asset-owners and wage-earners remains the defining feature of our economy. Trading cards have become an alternative asset class and lots of money is flowing in and prices are rising and markets have also been riding high but that only looks at a tiny fraction of what's going on in the US and World economies. I'm sure you're right though now that I think about it.
He was exactly right with his prediction. One cannot discount it any way you try. If you didn't enter the market or buy cards at his prediction time, then an opportunity was missed.
You are right about what is important is the next six months and not the last six. What are your thoughts on how to play the next six months to a year in the market or the cards?
A lot of people are truly in a bad spot and there is no arguing that, , but there are also a vast amount of people in a tight spot because they didn't make the right plays. Hindsight is 20/20 so can't worry about what one did or didn't do in the past, but the good thing is there is still time to change the course.
I could live on the following meals:
Protein shake for breakfast is $1 a serving. 30 grams of protein.
Can of tuna fish for lunch for .79 cents. If you want some flavor and live a little, I get cans of Pringles for $1.50-$2 a can. So eat 1/4 of a can with your tuna fish and you have a 20 grams of protein and a feel good side for $1.30.
Four egg cheese omelette for dinner and a frozen hash brown patty. I get eggs for $1.50 a dozen or less. Hash brown patty is .35 cents. Slice of cheese .25 cents . Appx 26 grams of protein.
So that simple meal plan with the most minimal prep time yields you 76 grams of protein for the day(plus sides) for less than $5. Less than $5!
Potatoes and Rice are extremely cheap for any side or main dish. Pork chops are routinely $2.49 a pound, and chicken thighs and legs the same. So I can mix and match those for dirt cheap meals of protein and complete carbs. There are several viable options.
Maybe those prices are higher in california or Hawaii, so that might change a bit.
Imagine the excess waste anyone has spent on extra drinks for lunch, breakfast, or at a bar, and ineffcient meal choices. Now imagine if for the last two years only they put that $20 a day into QQQI and turned on the DRIP,
That $20 a day investment into QQQI right now would be worth $15,195
You would be getting $177 a month in dividends right now from that to do with as you please.
That is assuming you saved the weekend money and invested on trading days.
All just for altering a simple meal plan. Of course,, people want to live a little, but if you are in a bind, that is a choice.
Obviously there are ETF's or stocks that out generated QQQI, but that is a reliable yield maker and works well in a sideways market that has some volatility. People have to make their own choices on where to put their money.
Cars, phones, streaming service, etc...all can be managed(or eliminated) for costs not much different than the last eight years. Don't need a new phone every year for one. Use your Iphone until Apple sends you a message that it will no longer support their software updates. Also lower ones expectations on what car to drive. Use it simply as a tool to get from A to B.
A million scenarios, but the meal plan is simple and doable. Please check with your doctor on the health of the food and your body to make your own decisions of course.
Here is another one from AI:
"If you had taken the exact amount of money required to buy one pack of cigarettes every day for the last 30 years and instead invested it directly into a major tobacco company like Altria Group (MO) with the dividends reinvested (DRIP), you would be a millionaire today, with an estimated total between $1.1 Million and $1.4 Million. [1] (https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/MO/altria/stock-price-history)."
Now of course if everyone did that, then that company wouldn't make money lol....but if someone is willing to make a sacrifice and buck a trend, hey, why not.
I wish I took many of these thoughts to heed myself, lol....its hard to resist choices...but when in a bind makes it a different story.
@HOMETOWNSPORTS said: @1982FootballWax Of course this is a bubble that is blowing up quickly and like most all bubbles contract or pop? at some point. Now when is anybody's guess right?. Alot of these 1977 star wars card series 1 have been increasing by like 20% daily for the past week it seems. Some of the key cards in the set are getting snapped up almost instantly in any grade the day they are listed so it seems it still has room to continue to expand. What makes this bubble interesting is those who react to it with the raw cards and see this have to currently pay $80 and wait what like 3 months? to get the cards back so it will be interesting to see how big this gets and when it starts to get smaller. Now your thoughts are welcome on this!!
Thanks. Ive a large bunch of PSA 9 & 10 + CGC 10 1975-76 Marvel Stickers purchases slabbed as well as self submitted plus multiple raw sets self accumulated over the years.
While I never sell cards Im going to make an exception.
Ive decided to "consign" them to a buddy who own a comic shop and does online sales at multiple venues.
If, big if, I get anywhere near going rate I will use the funds to add an extension on to my home...?
If it works out I'll be able to tell guests that portion of the home funded by the rubes who purchased Punisher and Howard The Duck "Rookies"
The whole thing is laughable as the supply of them is large but due to low demand few were slabbed before recently
Good for you, man. I did similar last fall. First time I've ever sold but just got sick of having tons of them around and consigned/sold 3/4 of my collection. I put most right in the market (which turned out to be a good thing in hindsight) with the intention of redoing our house later.
Good luck to you!
Love it! We expect to see pictures that include an upgrade to your main hobby/den/game room.
The 2026 Topps Chrome Marvel cards are damn nice.
Successful coin BST transactions with Gerard and segoja.
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
@HOMETOWNSPORTS said: @1982FootballWax Of course this is a bubble that is blowing up quickly and like most all bubbles contract or pop? at some point. Now when is anybody's guess right?. Alot of these 1977 star wars card series 1 have been increasing by like 20% daily for the past week it seems. Some of the key cards in the set are getting snapped up almost instantly in any grade the day they are listed so it seems it still has room to continue to expand. What makes this bubble interesting is those who react to it with the raw cards and see this have to currently pay $80 and wait what like 3 months? to get the cards back so it will be interesting to see how big this gets and when it starts to get smaller. Now your thoughts are welcome on this!!
Thanks. Ive a large bunch of PSA 9 & 10 + CGC 10 1975-76 Marvel Stickers purchases slabbed as well as self submitted plus multiple raw sets self accumulated over the years.
While I never sell cards Im going to make an exception.
Ive decided to "consign" them to a buddy who own a comic shop and does online sales at multiple venues.
If, big if, I get anywhere near going rate I will use the funds to add an extension on to my home...?
If it works out I'll be able to tell guests that portion of the home funded by the rubes who purchased Punisher and Howard The Duck "Rookies"
The whole thing is laughable as the supply of them is large but due to low demand few were slabbed before recently
Good for you, man. I did similar last fall. First time I've ever sold but just got sick of having tons of them around and consigned/sold 3/4 of my collection. I put most right in the market (which turned out to be a good thing in hindsight) with the intention of redoing our house later.
Good luck to you!
Love it! We expect to see pictures that include an upgrade to your main hobby/den/game room.
The 2026 Topps Chrome Marvel cards are damn nice.
Me too, man. Me too.
Since it's been on a sliding schedule for about 20 years I'm not holding my breath...
Wow kool to see some of you have some marvel cards/collections? and yes they are now a small fortune.
@1982FootballWax very nice indeed to have some of those marvel stickers ALREADY graded . That HAS to be a good feeling much like a find in your OWN collection (did you ever think such a huge run-up on anything in your collection such as this?).. I know it was for me when I saw the prices of graded 1970's Topps Marvel stickers and I had 1 1975 and 2 1976 marvel wax boxes (only 3 stickers to each pack but still awesome to have now). I even found the 1976 Topps UK (British) version of the set in awesome condition mint? (The backs have "peel here") See photos below
My oldest is in college. He doesn't collect cards, but has two friends who started doing breaks on Whatnot. He decided to go over and watch them do it and thought it was interesting. The conversation revolved around them not making a ton, but for their time of breaking and shipping, it was similar to each of them making minimum wage (which is $16.90 per hour here in CA). The kids were thinking this was great - they basically get to open packs on their own schedule and get paid. Although they could make more flipping burgers at In-N-Out, the physical output doing that is disporportionately greater than sitting and opening packs.
My message to my kid has been not to discount the value of having a skill. Although you don't necessarily need a degree (like the gardner example), having one and putting in the work to developing a skill and applying that skill (of course, one that consumers need) will afford you the ability to make money consistently over time. Then, invest wisely. Fortunately, he's built more like me, so he understands. I thought it was interesting, though, of the thought process of younger guys who are chasing what is hot.
Buying and selling cards and/or doing breaks are only good when there is demand and if you focus on that, what do you fall back on when there is a retraction? The hare may do really well in bursts, but the tortoise usually wins the race.
@HOMETOWNSPORTS said:
Have you guys seen the EXPLOSION of graded 1977 STAR WARS (series 1 specifically) in the last 3 weeks... Your minds WILL be begoggled. Also ever since that 1960's spiderman PSA 9 card sold for a HUUUGE price 2 weeks ago or so? It flowed almost instantly to my 3 1975 and 1976 TOPPS marvel sticker unopened boxes and single cards. Turned into a small fortune almost overnight. Never ever ever seen vintage material EXPLODE 5-10X times in value in ONE MONTH. This stuff has been around for years then BAME.
Thanks so much for sharing this news on the 70s Marvel cards. It has made my day. I loved this set. I believe the 1976 Marvel stickers was the first pack of anything I opened. I feel like I remember sitting on the carpet watching cartoons and my mom handed a pack to me. So I open it and immediately peel them off and place them on things.
Sometime around the COVID period I really started collecting them. Was able to get a handful of packs which felt expensive then but dang, should have got as many as I could afford or even not afford.
I was pursuing them more as just a collector than an investor. But I often wondered, people love Marvel why aren't these old condition-sensitive Marvel cards worth that much. I bought a Cyclops PSA 10 for like 500 bucks and then was kind of kicking myself cause that may have been at the height of overpaying for cards and then a dip followed. Now I can feel good about the move. Had these guys stashed in the okay pile but now will move them to the really good pile. Thanks again.
@UlyssesExtravaganza Very Very NICE!!! Non-sports and specifically 1977 Star wars and 60's and 70's marvel stickers or cards are about the HOTEST I have ever seen any vintage get in one month (BY FAR). The 1960's Spiderman PSA 9 at $100K+++ and the 1977 Topps PSA 10 #1 Luke @ $600K have jolted the dickens out of the price of these cards. I sold a PSA 10 Punisher about 2 years ago for $750 and now that card is $20K+ and rising (look at research 3 year ebay sales). Have a great evening and enjoy your new found GEMS!!!
Hometown, if it makes you feel better, I think I sold a Sgt. Fury PSA 10 for like $200 to $300 a while back cause I just figured I'd keep the more popular characters. Then I think I sold most of the 8s, which only netted like 20 30 bucks each, cause hey only an 8. Probably a Spider-Man and some other nice ones in there. Dont want to check. But cant complain.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
when exactly does it get better for the ones you are talking about? when the nolan ryan rookie psa 8 hits $100,000, $200,000, $500,000? Or when the nasdaq hits 30,000, 40,000, 50,000? You just said above the stock market is on fire just like the cards, so I assume it needs to get hotter than this for the other folks to start making money? How hot does it need to get?
I have a friend who didn't graduate HS and started mowing grass. He makes around $200,000 a year. His wife is a manager at a day care and makes about $100,000. $300k in SWVA is decent money, very nice money. And all they did was go to work and raise their kids. Nothing magical.
I would suggest this same path for the ones you are concerned about.
I don't know what point you're trying to make. Do you know how CPI works? A lot of the people impacted are those on fixed incomes. That's beside the point I was making. I was trying to explain that we're still in a very K-shaped economy - this means good for those of us who are fortunate and bad for those of us who are not. The widening divide between asset-owners and wage-earners remains the defining feature of our economy. Trading cards have become an alternative asset class and lots of money is flowing in and prices are rising and markets have also been riding high but that only looks at a tiny fraction of what's going on in the US and World economies. I'm sure you're right though now that I think about it.
He was exactly right with his prediction. One cannot discount it any way you try. If you didn't enter the market or buy cards at his prediction time, then an opportunity was missed.
You are right about what is important is the next six months and not the last six. What are your thoughts on how to play the next six months to a year in the market or the cards?
A lot of people are truly in a bad spot and there is no arguing that, , but there are also a vast amount of people in a tight spot because they didn't make the right plays. Hindsight is 20/20 so can't worry about what one did or didn't do in the past, but the good thing is there is still time to change the course.
I could live on the following meals:
Protein shake for breakfast is $1 a serving. 30 grams of protein.
Can of tuna fish for lunch for .79 cents. If you want some flavor and live a little, I get cans of Pringles for $1.50-$2 a can. So eat 1/4 of a can with your tuna fish and you have a 20 grams of protein and a feel good side for $1.30.
Four egg cheese omelette for dinner and a frozen hash brown patty. I get eggs for $1.50 a dozen or less. Hash brown patty is .35 cents. Slice of cheese .25 cents . Appx 26 grams of protein.
So that simple meal plan with the most minimal prep time yields you 76 grams of protein for the day(plus sides) for less than $5. Less than $5!
Potatoes and Rice are extremely cheap for any side or main dish. Pork chops are routinely $2.49 a pound, and chicken thighs and legs the same. So I can mix and match those for dirt cheap meals of protein and complete carbs. There are several viable options.
Maybe those prices are higher in california or Hawaii, so that might change a bit.
Imagine the excess waste anyone has spent on extra drinks for lunch, breakfast, or at a bar, and ineffcient meal choices. Now imagine if for the last two years only they put that $20 a day into QQQI and turned on the DRIP,
That $20 a day investment into QQQI right now would be worth $15,195
You would be getting $177 a month in dividends right now from that to do with as you please.
That is assuming you saved the weekend money and invested on trading days.
All just for altering a simple meal plan. Of course,, people want to live a little, but if you are in a bind, that is a choice.
Obviously there are ETF's or stocks that out generated QQQI, but that is a reliable yield maker and works well in a sideways market that has some volatility. People have to make their own choices on where to put their money.
Cars, phones, streaming service, etc...all can be managed(or eliminated) for costs not much different than the last eight years. Don't need a new phone every year for one. Use your Iphone until Apple sends you a message that it will no longer support their software updates. Also lower ones expectations on what car to drive. Use it simply as a tool to get from A to B.
A million scenarios, but the meal plan is simple and doable. Please check with your doctor on the health of the food and your body to make your own decisions of course.
Here is another one from AI:
"If you had taken the exact amount of money required to buy one pack of cigarettes every day for the last 30 years and instead invested it directly into a major tobacco company like Altria Group (MO) with the dividends reinvested (DRIP), you would be a millionaire today, with an estimated total between $1.1 Million and $1.4 Million. [1] (https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/MO/altria/stock-price-history)."
Now of course if everyone did that, then that company wouldn't make money lol....but if someone is willing to make a sacrifice and buck a trend, hey, why not.
I wish I took many of these thoughts to heed myself, lol....its hard to resist choices...but when in a bind makes it a different story.
Predicting that trading cards are going to go up when there is a lot of money flowing in to trading cards while prices are going up already might not be the most difficult prediction.
I’m only commenting on the faux-correlations presented as evidence.
As far as where the NASDAQ will be in the next 6 months… I don’t think anyone knows. Everyone is waiting on the Fed this month. We’re probably not going to see a rate hike because it adds a headwind to valuations. The interest is already priced in for a hike because equity debt is based off the e 10 year and that’s already at 4.7%. The direct is less than like $15B total per year. Thats nothing vs DDR. The problem is the multiple and the jobs numbers came in a little hot. The other main issue is the concentration. The markets we follow are based on a handful of companies moving the needle. There’s a growing rift in technology as supply chain is in turmoil now. It’s not my domain so I can only tell you what I’m told. Most people say up through 2026 and then we look to rotate.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
when exactly does it get better for the ones you are talking about? when the nolan ryan rookie psa 8 hits $100,000, $200,000, $500,000? Or when the nasdaq hits 30,000, 40,000, 50,000? You just said above the stock market is on fire just like the cards, so I assume it needs to get hotter than this for the other folks to start making money? How hot does it need to get?
I have a friend who didn't graduate HS and started mowing grass. He makes around $200,000 a year. His wife is a manager at a day care and makes about $100,000. $300k in SWVA is decent money, very nice money. And all they did was go to work and raise their kids. Nothing magical.
I would suggest this same path for the ones you are concerned about.
I don't know what point you're trying to make. Do you know how CPI works? A lot of the people impacted are those on fixed incomes. That's beside the point I was making. I was trying to explain that we're still in a very K-shaped economy - this means good for those of us who are fortunate and bad for those of us who are not. The widening divide between asset-owners and wage-earners remains the defining feature of our economy. Trading cards have become an alternative asset class and lots of money is flowing in and prices are rising and markets have also been riding high but that only looks at a tiny fraction of what's going on in the US and World economies. I'm sure you're right though now that I think about it.
He was exactly right with his prediction. One cannot discount it any way you try. If you didn't enter the market or buy cards at his prediction time, then an opportunity was missed.
You are right about what is important is the next six months and not the last six. What are your thoughts on how to play the next six months to a year in the market or the cards?
A lot of people are truly in a bad spot and there is no arguing that, , but there are also a vast amount of people in a tight spot because they didn't make the right plays. Hindsight is 20/20 so can't worry about what one did or didn't do in the past, but the good thing is there is still time to change the course.
I could live on the following meals:
Protein shake for breakfast is $1 a serving. 30 grams of protein.
Can of tuna fish for lunch for .79 cents. If you want some flavor and live a little, I get cans of Pringles for $1.50-$2 a can. So eat 1/4 of a can with your tuna fish and you have a 20 grams of protein and a feel good side for $1.30.
Four egg cheese omelette for dinner and a frozen hash brown patty. I get eggs for $1.50 a dozen or less. Hash brown patty is .35 cents. Slice of cheese .25 cents . Appx 26 grams of protein.
So that simple meal plan with the most minimal prep time yields you 76 grams of protein for the day(plus sides) for less than $5. Less than $5!
Potatoes and Rice are extremely cheap for any side or main dish. Pork chops are routinely $2.49 a pound, and chicken thighs and legs the same. So I can mix and match those for dirt cheap meals of protein and complete carbs. There are several viable options.
Maybe those prices are higher in california or Hawaii, so that might change a bit.
Imagine the excess waste anyone has spent on extra drinks for lunch, breakfast, or at a bar, and ineffcient meal choices. Now imagine if for the last two years only they put that $20 a day into QQQI and turned on the DRIP,
That $20 a day investment into QQQI right now would be worth $15,195
You would be getting $177 a month in dividends right now from that to do with as you please.
That is assuming you saved the weekend money and invested on trading days.
All just for altering a simple meal plan. Of course,, people want to live a little, but if you are in a bind, that is a choice.
Obviously there are ETF's or stocks that out generated QQQI, but that is a reliable yield maker and works well in a sideways market that has some volatility. People have to make their own choices on where to put their money.
Cars, phones, streaming service, etc...all can be managed(or eliminated) for costs not much different than the last eight years. Don't need a new phone every year for one. Use your Iphone until Apple sends you a message that it will no longer support their software updates. Also lower ones expectations on what car to drive. Use it simply as a tool to get from A to B.
A million scenarios, but the meal plan is simple and doable. Please check with your doctor on the health of the food and your body to make your own decisions of course.
Here is another one from AI:
"If you had taken the exact amount of money required to buy one pack of cigarettes every day for the last 30 years and instead invested it directly into a major tobacco company like Altria Group (MO) with the dividends reinvested (DRIP), you would be a millionaire today, with an estimated total between $1.1 Million and $1.4 Million. [1] (https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/MO/altria/stock-price-history)."
Now of course if everyone did that, then that company wouldn't make money lol....but if someone is willing to make a sacrifice and buck a trend, hey, why not.
I wish I took many of these thoughts to heed myself, lol....its hard to resist choices...but when in a bind makes it a different story.
Predicting that trading cards are going to go up when there is a lot of money flowing in to trading cards while prices are going up already might not be the most difficult prediction.
I’m only commenting on the faux-correlations presented as evidence.
As far as where the NASDAQ will be in the next 6 months… I don’t think anyone knows. Everyone is waiting on the Fed this month. We’re probably not going to see a rate hike because it adds a headwind to valuations. The interest is already priced in for a hike because equity debt is based off the e 10 year and that’s already at 4.7%. The direct is less than like $15B total per year. Thats nothing vs DDR. The problem is the multiple and the jobs numbers came in a little hot. The other main issue is the concentration. The markets we follow are based on a handful of companies moving the needle. There’s a growing rift in technology as supply chain is in turmoil now. It’s not my domain so I can only tell you what I’m told. Most people say up through 2026 and then we look to rotate.
So he was right.
You brought up CPI. Wasn't the CPI from Jan 2021 to Jan 2025 4.9% annually? Then from Jan 25 to now it is 3% average annually? How does that factor into cards since you brought it up? Like I said above, I can still eat plenty of protein and taste for $5 a day for three meals in todays world. I can even make a 1/4 juicy tasty cheeseburger for less than $2 at home and it taste better than most restaurants.
Food prices(and all prices) are always going to go up. That has been a complaint for decades and decades, so lets not sensationalize it now. The reality is what I pointed out with the meals...its not as bad as you are trying to make it out compared to just a few years ago especially....and is prolly one of the reasons why people still have money to buy cards and card shows are packed with all sorts of people on different points of the K curve .
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
when exactly does it get better for the ones you are talking about? when the nolan ryan rookie psa 8 hits $100,000, $200,000, $500,000? Or when the nasdaq hits 30,000, 40,000, 50,000? You just said above the stock market is on fire just like the cards, so I assume it needs to get hotter than this for the other folks to start making money? How hot does it need to get?
I have a friend who didn't graduate HS and started mowing grass. He makes around $200,000 a year. His wife is a manager at a day care and makes about $100,000. $300k in SWVA is decent money, very nice money. And all they did was go to work and raise their kids. Nothing magical.
I would suggest this same path for the ones you are concerned about.
I don't know what point you're trying to make. Do you know how CPI works? A lot of the people impacted are those on fixed incomes. That's beside the point I was making. I was trying to explain that we're still in a very K-shaped economy - this means good for those of us who are fortunate and bad for those of us who are not. The widening divide between asset-owners and wage-earners remains the defining feature of our economy. Trading cards have become an alternative asset class and lots of money is flowing in and prices are rising and markets have also been riding high but that only looks at a tiny fraction of what's going on in the US and World economies. I'm sure you're right though now that I think about it.
He was exactly right with his prediction. One cannot discount it any way you try. If you didn't enter the market or buy cards at his prediction time, then an opportunity was missed.
You are right about what is important is the next six months and not the last six. What are your thoughts on how to play the next six months to a year in the market or the cards?
A lot of people are truly in a bad spot and there is no arguing that, , but there are also a vast amount of people in a tight spot because they didn't make the right plays. Hindsight is 20/20 so can't worry about what one did or didn't do in the past, but the good thing is there is still time to change the course.
I could live on the following meals:
Protein shake for breakfast is $1 a serving. 30 grams of protein.
Can of tuna fish for lunch for .79 cents. If you want some flavor and live a little, I get cans of Pringles for $1.50-$2 a can. So eat 1/4 of a can with your tuna fish and you have a 20 grams of protein and a feel good side for $1.30.
Four egg cheese omelette for dinner and a frozen hash brown patty. I get eggs for $1.50 a dozen or less. Hash brown patty is .35 cents. Slice of cheese .25 cents . Appx 26 grams of protein.
So that simple meal plan with the most minimal prep time yields you 76 grams of protein for the day(plus sides) for less than $5. Less than $5!
Potatoes and Rice are extremely cheap for any side or main dish. Pork chops are routinely $2.49 a pound, and chicken thighs and legs the same. So I can mix and match those for dirt cheap meals of protein and complete carbs. There are several viable options.
Maybe those prices are higher in california or Hawaii, so that might change a bit.
Imagine the excess waste anyone has spent on extra drinks for lunch, breakfast, or at a bar, and ineffcient meal choices. Now imagine if for the last two years only they put that $20 a day into QQQI and turned on the DRIP,
That $20 a day investment into QQQI right now would be worth $15,195
You would be getting $177 a month in dividends right now from that to do with as you please.
That is assuming you saved the weekend money and invested on trading days.
All just for altering a simple meal plan. Of course,, people want to live a little, but if you are in a bind, that is a choice.
Obviously there are ETF's or stocks that out generated QQQI, but that is a reliable yield maker and works well in a sideways market that has some volatility. People have to make their own choices on where to put their money.
Cars, phones, streaming service, etc...all can be managed(or eliminated) for costs not much different than the last eight years. Don't need a new phone every year for one. Use your Iphone until Apple sends you a message that it will no longer support their software updates. Also lower ones expectations on what car to drive. Use it simply as a tool to get from A to B.
A million scenarios, but the meal plan is simple and doable. Please check with your doctor on the health of the food and your body to make your own decisions of course.
Here is another one from AI:
"If you had taken the exact amount of money required to buy one pack of cigarettes every day for the last 30 years and instead invested it directly into a major tobacco company like Altria Group (MO) with the dividends reinvested (DRIP), you would be a millionaire today, with an estimated total between $1.1 Million and $1.4 Million. [1] (https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/MO/altria/stock-price-history)."
Now of course if everyone did that, then that company wouldn't make money lol....but if someone is willing to make a sacrifice and buck a trend, hey, why not.
I wish I took many of these thoughts to heed myself, lol....its hard to resist choices...but when in a bind makes it a different story.
Predicting that trading cards are going to go up when there is a lot of money flowing in to trading cards while prices are going up already might not be the most difficult prediction.
I’m only commenting on the faux-correlations presented as evidence.
As far as where the NASDAQ will be in the next 6 months… I don’t think anyone knows. Everyone is waiting on the Fed this month. We’re probably not going to see a rate hike because it adds a headwind to valuations. The interest is already priced in for a hike because equity debt is based off the e 10 year and that’s already at 4.7%. The direct is less than like $15B total per year. Thats nothing vs DDR. The problem is the multiple and the jobs numbers came in a little hot. The other main issue is the concentration. The markets we follow are based on a handful of companies moving the needle. There’s a growing rift in technology as supply chain is in turmoil now. It’s not my domain so I can only tell you what I’m told. Most people say up through 2026 and then we look to rotate.
So he was right.
You brought up CPI. Wasn't the CPI from Jan 2021 to Jan 2025 4.9% annually? Then from Jan 25 to now it is 3% average annually? How does that factor into cards since you brought it up? Like I said above, I can still eat plenty of protein and taste for $5 a day for three meals in todays world. I can even make a 1/4 juicy tasty cheeseburger for less than $2 at home and it taste better than most restaurants.
Food prices(and all prices) are always going to go up. That has been a complaint for decades and decades, so lets not sensationalize it now. The reality is what I pointed out with the meals...its not as bad as you are trying to make it out compared to just a few years ago especially....and is prolly one of the reasons why people still have money to buy cards and card shows are packed with all sorts of people on different points of the K curve .
He can be right about it and everyone can decide what that means. When the rain starts falling is always the best time to predict rain. I said that a prediction that follows a trend is NOT evidence of insight. Being right and having a valid reason are different questions and you’re giving credit for predicting an outcome which wasn’t even over the horizon and pretending like it represents a process of understanding. You ignore my line point - the faux correlation and substitute in a new claim. the rain continues to fall and anytime it gets heavier I’m going to post about my amazing feat of prediction.
Inflation is running higher now since the April print. The deflationary story was 24-25 and then maybe you’ve seen the news.
But that’s a miss in basic math. The big miss is talking about rate of change when inflation has been here for a while instead of level and THAT misses the point. If you know that good, but I don’t think so because no one intentionally walks into a door in a debate.
The reason people have money to buy cards is because of the K itself. Those of us at the top are flush and those at the bottom not so much. When people make the choices to eat cheap because they can that’s also a big problem. Choosing to eat that cheeseburger at home vs a restaurant is a canary - we see food prices away from home also rising faster than food prices at the grocery store. Does that tell you anything important?
You want to defend olb fine but do some homework please. Plus he’s 64 crayons short of a good time.
I mean, everything is up. This is an everything bubble driven by debt, which recently surpassed GDP and sits at 40T.
I think its fantastic that the guy above is willing to eat tuna from a can and powdered protein for breakfast but back here in the real world stuff js brutally expensive. A Rav4 is 50k, mortgage on a 30 year is 6.8% and rising, a gallon of diesel is 5.85 and it costs about 1300 bucks a month to feed a family of 4 these days. These asset bubbles are great for guys like us but they come at a price that will need to be paid
So, enjoy the ride, and keep some powder dry. At some point the consumer will run out of money. The bond markets are saying this isn’t sustainable and when this debt bubble finally pops look out.
Comments
Jensen Huang really set the table pretty well in his GTC keynote... The next frontier is physical AI. mechanical thought has been largely solved, but now we need world models and semantic context which can be used safely in robotics. I expect to see modern piracy in my lifetime... a.k.a. Hakim Bey
Have you ever noticed that most of the video you see highlighting modern robotics is CGI?
That was me last fall. Completely fine with my choice.
This thread sways like a hula dancer, I love it.
I still have no idea what the thread is about.
so many doubters and naysayers..
since the original post the nasdaq wnet from 17785 to 25810 today
cards -- pokemon is totally out of control. prices are busting at the seams. sports cards are on an unbelievable run, where 1984 psa 10 nolan ryan's go from $500 to $1800 during the same time frame..and thats just the tip of the iceberg
but really it wasn't tough to predict. just follow the fundamentals. when people feel good they spend money, when people feel worried they don't.
but as things get better, its hard to think that prices of everyday items are going to go down. the world doesn't work that way. more spending begets higher prices just like with the nolan ryan's.
How do I keep missing this! What am I looking at? Are we talking about cost of grading?
Be nice to the people you see on the way up, because they're the same people you will see on the way down!
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
this was the very first post on March 20, 2025. I knew things were going to be big but I would have never guessed things would have exploded like they have good and bad.
1) Card grading - almost extinct now. prices are 4 or 5 times more or non-existent.
2) Number of cards being graded is just off the hook. PSA does more in 1 year then they did in the first 30 years of existence.
3) Card Prices - (not all of course) - many of big time players have blown up. low serial number autos driving the sports market to a large degree and vintage 8's and up.
4) total market value - my portfolio of graded cards has spiked up over 33% in this time period, with some stuff triple what is was on this date.
5) while we are being told the economy is just ok or bad, the card and grading market are telling us something 180 dgress different. There must be a lot more disposable income in our economy than is being told. No other way to look at.
6) Unopened packs and boxes. I have a 1994 Upper deck unopened box of baseball that went from $250 to about $1,500 in a year and a half. You can't hardly find skybox basketball boxes from the 90's. 1990 fleer baskets doubled or tripled. baseball and football more steady but strong. 1.1 million for 8 unopened packs of 1952 topps--crazy prices.
We believe! 💥
LOL!!!!
Good call olb!
With the cost to grade sky rocketing for me the best move is to buy graded cards that are tweeners: 7.5, 8.5 and have a graded value of $100 to $200.
I have a pile of roughly 500 non graded cards will just have to stay that way. I cannot afford to have them graded.
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss!
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
Yeah you called it.> @olb31 said:
Tell me what the number for the NASDAQ will be in 6 months from today please. This is how predictions work.
I could say “Things gonna get weird” and just wait until they do.
Since March 2025 the S&P 500 is up 36.6% and the Nasdaq up 70.5%. I don't think you're looking at an even distribution here regarding economic activity and I wouldn't leverage sports/ trading cards, even at the low-end, for a pulse on the economy.
I hope this act of self-congratulation provides sufficient reinforcement to temporarily alleviate what appears to be a rather pronounced need for external validation 🙂, because BGR is correct
>
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
bgr my stock portfolio is way up too, i diversify bruh..
1982 - if things were bad, sports cards and pokemon would be worse. most people like heat a/c cars and food much more than cards.
Then you make my point.
There are multiple factors but, primarily, look at cards as a new asset class and look at that in the shadow of inflationary pressures. Then consider the last few years from an asset class perspective versus a wage class perspective.
Then ask yourself the value of an accounting degree.
how about i look at it as -- cards have exploded in value -- as this is what the post is about. trying to examine asset class vs wage class is meaningless to me, i could care less. i examined that my 1988 fleer jprdan psa 10 went from $4,000 to $14,000 in 18 months.
the value of an accounting degree is good but its not everything. a lot of my clients make well above what i make, some never went to college. its not about degrees its about hard work and dedication. plenty of people have meaningless degrees. and plenty of accountants don't make crap.
I must admit that making fun of the OP's posting style is a kick, but reality of 18 months is indisputable where the value of cards has gone beyond comprehension. He's been right all along. Keep up the good work olb31, you've got a solid groove goin' on.
I don’t disagree with that. What I don’t like is the casual association between collectibles and economics during a time when many people are not as lucky. It’s a callousness that ignorance doesn’t excuse.
Yup. It's why this conversation exists in a cuddly corner. Understanding market activity is paramount to being a successfully casual and callous collector. At least we can each interpret that in our own way. Outside the comfort of this nest, much different.
Have you guys seen the EXPLOSION of graded 1977 STAR WARS (series 1 specifically) in the last 3 weeks... Your minds WILL be begoggled. Also ever since that 1960's spiderman PSA 9 card sold for a HUUUGE price 2 weeks ago or so? It flowed almost instantly to my 3 1975 and 1976 TOPPS marvel sticker unopened boxes and single cards. Turned into a small fortune almost overnight. Never ever ever seen vintage material EXPLODE 5-10X times in value in ONE MONTH. This stuff has been around for years then BAME.
I think you mean couldn't care less. Could care less implies that you do care some
A's World Championships-1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989
Raw Star Wars cards as well. Mind boggling prices for the popular singles.
@ElMagoStrikeZone RIGHT ON!
And how exactly is it NOT a bubble?
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
@1982FootballWax Of course this is a bubble that is blowing up quickly and like most all bubbles contract or pop? at some point. Now when is anybody's guess right?. Alot of these 1977 star wars card series 1 have been increasing by like 20% daily for the past week it seems. Some of the key cards in the set are getting snapped up almost instantly in any grade the day they are listed so it seems it still has room to continue to expand. What makes this bubble interesting is those who react to it with the raw cards and see this have to currently pay $80 and wait what like 3 months? to get the cards back so it will be interesting to see how big this gets and when it starts to get smaller. Now your thoughts are welcome on this!!
when exactly does it get better for the ones you are talking about? when the nolan ryan rookie psa 8 hits $100,000, $200,000, $500,000? Or when the nasdaq hits 30,000, 40,000, 50,000? You just said above the stock market is on fire just like the cards, so I assume it needs to get hotter than this for the other folks to start making money? How hot does it need to get?
I have a friend who didn't graduate HS and started mowing grass. He makes around $200,000 a year. His wife is a manager at a day care and makes about $100,000. $300k in SWVA is decent money, very nice money. And all they did was go to work and raise their kids. Nothing magical.
I would suggest this same path for the ones you are concerned about.
The current backlog for grading creates a sticky situation. I've got some raw cards that should grade very well, but if they take too long to get back I might miss the ride up...
Thanks. Ive a large bunch of PSA 9 & 10 + CGC 10 1975-76 Marvel Stickers purchases slabbed as well as self submitted plus multiple raw sets self accumulated over the years.
While I never sell cards Im going to make an exception.
Ive decided to "consign" them to a buddy who own a comic shop and does online sales at multiple venues.
If, big if, I get anywhere near going rate I will use the funds to add an extension on to my home...?
If it works out I'll be able to tell guests that portion of the home funded by the rubes who purchased Punisher and Howard The Duck "Rookies"
The whole thing is laughable as the supply of them is large but due to low demand few were slabbed before recently
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
Bought this last night amongst ripping. It's a POP 1
Good for you, man. I did similar last fall. First time I've ever sold but just got sick of having tons of them around and consigned/sold 3/4 of my collection. I put most right in the market (which turned out to be a good thing in hindsight) with the intention of redoing our house later.
Good luck to you!
I don't know what point you're trying to make. Do you know how CPI works? A lot of the people impacted are those on fixed incomes. That's beside the point I was making. I was trying to explain that we're still in a very K-shaped economy - this means good for those of us who are fortunate and bad for those of us who are not. The widening divide between asset-owners and wage-earners remains the defining feature of our economy. Trading cards have become an alternative asset class and lots of money is flowing in and prices are rising and markets have also been riding high but that only looks at a tiny fraction of what's going on in the US and World economies. I'm sure you're right though now that I think about it.
He was exactly right with his prediction. One cannot discount it any way you try. If you didn't enter the market or buy cards at his prediction time, then an opportunity was missed.
You are right about what is important is the next six months and not the last six. What are your thoughts on how to play the next six months to a year in the market or the cards?
A lot of people are truly in a bad spot and there is no arguing that, , but there are also a vast amount of people in a tight spot because they didn't make the right plays. Hindsight is 20/20 so can't worry about what one did or didn't do in the past, but the good thing is there is still time to change the course.
I could live on the following meals:
Protein shake for breakfast is $1 a serving. 30 grams of protein.
Can of tuna fish for lunch for .79 cents. If you want some flavor and live a little, I get cans of Pringles for $1.50-$2 a can. So eat 1/4 of a can with your tuna fish and you have a 20 grams of protein and a feel good side for $1.30.
Four egg cheese omelette for dinner and a frozen hash brown patty. I get eggs for $1.50 a dozen or less. Hash brown patty is .35 cents. Slice of cheese .25 cents . Appx 26 grams of protein.
So that simple meal plan with the most minimal prep time yields you 76 grams of protein for the day(plus sides) for less than $5. Less than $5!
Potatoes and Rice are extremely cheap for any side or main dish. Pork chops are routinely $2.49 a pound, and chicken thighs and legs the same. So I can mix and match those for dirt cheap meals of protein and complete carbs. There are several viable options.
Maybe those prices are higher in california or Hawaii, so that might change a bit.
Imagine the excess waste anyone has spent on extra drinks for lunch, breakfast, or at a bar, and ineffcient meal choices. Now imagine if for the last two years only they put that $20 a day into QQQI and turned on the DRIP,
That $20 a day investment into QQQI right now would be worth $15,195
You would be getting $177 a month in dividends right now from that to do with as you please.
That is assuming you saved the weekend money and invested on trading days.
All just for altering a simple meal plan. Of course,, people want to live a little, but if you are in a bind, that is a choice.
Obviously there are ETF's or stocks that out generated QQQI, but that is a reliable yield maker and works well in a sideways market that has some volatility. People have to make their own choices on where to put their money.
Cars, phones, streaming service, etc...all can be managed(or eliminated) for costs not much different than the last eight years. Don't need a new phone every year for one. Use your Iphone until Apple sends you a message that it will no longer support their software updates. Also lower ones expectations on what car to drive. Use it simply as a tool to get from A to B.
A million scenarios, but the meal plan is simple and doable. Please check with your doctor on the health of the food and your body to make your own decisions of course.
Here is another one from AI:
"If you had taken the exact amount of money required to buy one pack of cigarettes every day for the last 30 years and instead invested it directly into a major tobacco company like Altria Group (MO) with the dividends reinvested (DRIP), you would be a millionaire today, with an estimated total between $1.1 Million and $1.4 Million. [1] (https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/MO/altria/stock-price-history)."
Now of course if everyone did that, then that company wouldn't make money lol....but if someone is willing to make a sacrifice and buck a trend, hey, why not.
I wish I took many of these thoughts to heed myself, lol....its hard to resist choices...but when in a bind makes it a different story.
Love it! We expect to see pictures that include an upgrade to your main hobby/den/game room.
The 2026 Topps Chrome Marvel cards are damn nice.
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
Me too, man. Me too.
Since it's been on a sliding schedule for about 20 years I'm not holding my breath...
Wow kool to see some of you have some marvel cards/collections? and yes they are now a small fortune.
@1982FootballWax very nice indeed to have some of those marvel stickers ALREADY graded . That HAS to be a good feeling much like a find in your OWN collection (did you ever think such a huge run-up on anything in your collection such as this?).. I know it was for me when I saw the prices of graded 1970's Topps Marvel stickers and I had 1 1975 and 2 1976 marvel wax boxes (only 3 stickers to each pack but still awesome to have now). I even found the 1976 Topps UK (British) version of the set in awesome condition mint? (The backs have "peel here") See photos below
1976 Marvel Stickers complete set British version
My oldest is in college. He doesn't collect cards, but has two friends who started doing breaks on Whatnot. He decided to go over and watch them do it and thought it was interesting. The conversation revolved around them not making a ton, but for their time of breaking and shipping, it was similar to each of them making minimum wage (which is $16.90 per hour here in CA). The kids were thinking this was great - they basically get to open packs on their own schedule and get paid. Although they could make more flipping burgers at In-N-Out, the physical output doing that is disporportionately greater than sitting and opening packs.
My message to my kid has been not to discount the value of having a skill. Although you don't necessarily need a degree (like the gardner example), having one and putting in the work to developing a skill and applying that skill (of course, one that consumers need) will afford you the ability to make money consistently over time. Then, invest wisely. Fortunately, he's built more like me, so he understands. I thought it was interesting, though, of the thought process of younger guys who are chasing what is hot.
Buying and selling cards and/or doing breaks are only good when there is demand and if you focus on that, what do you fall back on when there is a retraction? The hare may do really well in bursts, but the tortoise usually wins the race.
@lahmejoon unless the hare jumps on the back of the tortoise for a free ride (sloooww riide take it easy)
Thanks so much for sharing this news on the 70s Marvel cards. It has made my day. I loved this set. I believe the 1976 Marvel stickers was the first pack of anything I opened. I feel like I remember sitting on the carpet watching cartoons and my mom handed a pack to me. So I open it and immediately peel them off and place them on things.
Sometime around the COVID period I really started collecting them. Was able to get a handful of packs which felt expensive then but dang, should have got as many as I could afford or even not afford.
I was pursuing them more as just a collector than an investor. But I often wondered, people love Marvel why aren't these old condition-sensitive Marvel cards worth that much. I bought a Cyclops PSA 10 for like 500 bucks and then was kind of kicking myself cause that may have been at the height of overpaying for cards and then a dip followed. Now I can feel good about the move. Had these guys stashed in the okay pile but now will move them to the really good pile. Thanks again.
@UlyssesExtravaganza Very Very NICE!!! Non-sports and specifically 1977 Star wars and 60's and 70's marvel stickers or cards are about the HOTEST I have ever seen any vintage get in one month (BY FAR). The 1960's Spiderman PSA 9 at $100K+++ and the 1977 Topps PSA 10 #1 Luke @ $600K have jolted the dickens out of the price of these cards. I sold a PSA 10 Punisher about 2 years ago for $750 and now that card is $20K+ and rising (look at research 3 year ebay sales). Have a great evening and enjoy your new found GEMS!!!
I absolutely loved the Marvel cards as a kid. Still wish I had those. Probably my favorite non-sport sets from the 70s, along with Star Wars.
Hometown, if it makes you feel better, I think I sold a Sgt. Fury PSA 10 for like $200 to $300 a while back cause I just figured I'd keep the more popular characters. Then I think I sold most of the 8s, which only netted like 20 30 bucks each, cause hey only an 8. Probably a Spider-Man and some other nice ones in there. Dont want to check. But cant complain.
Predicting that trading cards are going to go up when there is a lot of money flowing in to trading cards while prices are going up already might not be the most difficult prediction.
I’m only commenting on the faux-correlations presented as evidence.
As far as where the NASDAQ will be in the next 6 months… I don’t think anyone knows. Everyone is waiting on the Fed this month. We’re probably not going to see a rate hike because it adds a headwind to valuations. The interest is already priced in for a hike because equity debt is based off the e 10 year and that’s already at 4.7%. The direct is less than like $15B total per year. Thats nothing vs DDR. The problem is the multiple and the jobs numbers came in a little hot. The other main issue is the concentration. The markets we follow are based on a handful of companies moving the needle. There’s a growing rift in technology as supply chain is in turmoil now. It’s not my domain so I can only tell you what I’m told. Most people say up through 2026 and then we look to rotate.
So he was right.
You brought up CPI. Wasn't the CPI from Jan 2021 to Jan 2025 4.9% annually? Then from Jan 25 to now it is 3% average annually? How does that factor into cards since you brought it up? Like I said above, I can still eat plenty of protein and taste for $5 a day for three meals in todays world. I can even make a 1/4 juicy tasty cheeseburger for less than $2 at home and it taste better than most restaurants.
Food prices(and all prices) are always going to go up. That has been a complaint for decades and decades, so lets not sensationalize it now. The reality is what I pointed out with the meals...its not as bad as you are trying to make it out compared to just a few years ago especially....and is prolly one of the reasons why people still have money to buy cards and card shows are packed with all sorts of people on different points of the K curve
.
He can be right about it and everyone can decide what that means. When the rain starts falling is always the best time to predict rain. I said that a prediction that follows a trend is NOT evidence of insight. Being right and having a valid reason are different questions and you’re giving credit for predicting an outcome which wasn’t even over the horizon and pretending like it represents a process of understanding. You ignore my line point - the faux correlation and substitute in a new claim. the rain continues to fall and anytime it gets heavier I’m going to post about my amazing feat of prediction.
Inflation is running higher now since the April print. The deflationary story was 24-25 and then maybe you’ve seen the news.
But that’s a miss in basic math. The big miss is talking about rate of change when inflation has been here for a while instead of level and THAT misses the point. If you know that good, but I don’t think so because no one intentionally walks into a door in a debate.
The reason people have money to buy cards is because of the K itself. Those of us at the top are flush and those at the bottom not so much. When people make the choices to eat cheap because they can that’s also a big problem. Choosing to eat that cheeseburger at home vs a restaurant is a canary - we see food prices away from home also rising faster than food prices at the grocery store. Does that tell you anything important?
You want to defend olb fine but do some homework please. Plus he’s 64 crayons short of a good time.
I mean, everything is up. This is an everything bubble driven by debt, which recently surpassed GDP and sits at 40T.
I think its fantastic that the guy above is willing to eat tuna from a can and powdered protein for breakfast but back here in the real world stuff js brutally expensive. A Rav4 is 50k, mortgage on a 30 year is 6.8% and rising, a gallon of diesel is 5.85 and it costs about 1300 bucks a month to feed a family of 4 these days. These asset bubbles are great for guys like us but they come at a price that will need to be paid
So, enjoy the ride, and keep some powder dry. At some point the consumer will run out of money. The bond markets are saying this isn’t sustainable and when this debt bubble finally pops look out.