Collecting philosophy survey: quality or quantity?

Futureman

OK, not really just quantity (although I'm sure there are some), because most people don't want 5000 count boxes of old Gary Varsho cards. But would you prefer one top quality card to maybe 3 or 4 good, but not great, cards?

I'm asking myself that with a situation I have. I collected most of the 1997 UD Legends autograph set. I'm missing most of the main, top cards, like Walter Payton, Bart Starr, Butkus, Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw, and Namath. I do have the Unitas though. Now ... based on past auctions, I think it could go anywhere from $750 to $1,000 for it. If I were to do that, then I could pick up another Unitas autograph from another Legends set for about $250. With the rest of the money I could probably add a Walter Payton autograph, along with some others. That's where it comes to the question of quality vs. quantity: the '97 Legends Unitas autograph is a great card, but I could get other cards that I enjoy as well (maybe more), if I were to sell it. However, I don't want to kick myself about "the one that got away", because if I let it go, it's unlikely I'll ever get another one from that set. The prices on those cards have done well, and I'd hate to miss out on more of an increase. I like having it, but it also makes me wonder if it's worth it to have so much in one card.

For the vintage guys, I guess it would be kind of like the choice between a 52 Topps Mantle, and whether you would trade it for a 56 Mantle and 55 Koufax (or some other comparison along those lines). Would the sum of a Unitas, and Payton autographs be greater than the whole of just the nice Unitas card?

Any input? I would think others have found themselves in a similar predicament at one time or another. Any stories about "the one that got away" and whether you regret or are happy with your decision?

BigRedMachine

I see what you're saying, tough call.

It should really depend on which of the cards you want more. Would you rather be able to look at a Unitas auto, or have a unitas and payton auto to look at?? Book value aside, having a unitas and payton seems better than just a unitas.

I've gone both directions before. A few years ago, I sent in an '89 UD Griffey that I bought raw for $30 to PSA and it came back a 10. I sold the 10, and with the profits bought a psa 9 griffey, a psa 7 reggie jackson rookie, and a psa 7 johnny bench rookie. I couldn't tell the difference in the 9 I bought and the 10 I had, and I expanded my collection to include three great cards instead of one.

On the other hand, I started trying to put the '55 topps all american set together about a year ago, and have bought about 40 of them. Prices on the issue are going so high now, I'm considering giving up on the set. I think if I do sell the ones I have, it'd bring $800-$1000, and I'd probably use the money to by the '55 Jim Thorpe and '55 Four Horsemen cards, two of which I have yet to buy. Those two would fit nicely in any collection, not just one completing the set.

So I can see a side to any argument.

Sorry for not directly answering your question. In your case, I'd take the two autos over the one. JMO. Good luck on your decision.

shawn

scooter729

Good question. I would usually answer "quantity" but with some caviats. I recently sold a T-206 PSA 7 common, and was able to use the money to get 2 T-206 PSA 5's of HOF'ers. So that would be my norm. I do enjoy having the quality, high-value cards, but would rather they be of a star player. So I wouldn't sell a PSA 7 of an HOFer to get several PSA 5 commons; rare vintage quality is a top priority for me, but since my budget usually precludes that from happening, I opt for the quantity answer.

storm888

"But would you prefer one top quality card to maybe 3 or 4 good, but not great, cards?"

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I would rather have one great card.

BUT, I do NOT consider the Unitas 1997 UD Legends card
to be a "great card."

I would sell that card - if the price is what you think it is -
and buy a different Unitas and some other autos.

stevek

Quality - in as much quantity as I can get.

Stone193

Fm

This question comes up from time to time and usually winds up in a debate over hobby vs investment.

The operative word - for me - in a hobby would be "collecting."

The art of collecting involves everything from - a goal, the search, the buy and the cataloging.

To truly enjoy a hobby - I'm affraid that quantity is a concomitant to relative quality - depending on budget.

So, if I put all my eggs in one collective basket - sell everything - and buy a PSA 9 52T Mantle - and that's all I can afford to have?

Then, for me - it wouldn't be a hobby.

I collect sports related whiskey decanters and board games - both are relatively inexpensive but I enjoy them immensely.

Does this make sense?
mike

perkdog

I try for both, thats why I buy 7 grade cards, affordable (in most cases) and they look good enough for me. Overall I would say quality outweighs quantity though.

daveryan2001

I'd rather have a dozen 5's than 1 9 or 10.

I collect cards for fun, I do not consider them an investment.

I do other things to invest my money.

thenarcissus01

<< <i>Quality - in as much quantity as I can get. >>



I agree!!

GDM67

It depends on whether you would prefer to have a large number of great players autograph cards, or a full set of '97's. I have a handful of UD autos like that from the various sets, and the '97 set is, for my money, the best looking one of the group.

With a Unitas from that set in hand, my inclination would be to try and complete that specific set, rather than substitute a different Unitas auto at a later date.

TJMAC

I collect quality in that I want all my top cards in PSA holders, however, I am not out to get the top grades. Basically, I am satisfied with PSA 5 or higher up to 1960 and 6 or higher from 1960 to 1973. After that I will go as high as PSA 9's. I try to get the most bang for my buck, so as long as the card presents well, I am happy.

Griffins

I started out just trying to complete sets as many sets as I could in nice condition, raw. As time has gone on I've gone back and continually upgraded a few key sets I really like a lot. I get a lot of enjoyment out of all of the cards, regardless of condition.

Morgoth

Quality for me. I usually buy alot of cheaper cards as I can afford them so i can build up to trading or selling and buying a bigger card I want and then start all over. It has worked as I have gotten a 33 Ruth PSA 5 and T205 Cobb PSA 3 that way. It just takes patience. I can't afford anything usually over 500 so I have to trade or sell something to buy a bigger card like that.

Estil

I guess in my case, it'd be a question of would I rather have just one 1952 Topps set or use that money ($65,000 for a raw NRMT set) instead to say, get all the remaining 1970s and 1960s sets (and 1950s if enough left over)? No question, I'll take all those 1960s/1970s sets. It's a LOT of fun to go through them year by year in their albums.

Futureman

Thanks, lots of good (and different ... you guys aren't making this any easier) input. I don't expect to ever finish the 1997 Legends autograph set completely, as I don't think I'd be able to justify spending such a huge amount of money on each card I need to complete it. I like the card, and it looks great, but the one from the set that I really want is the Payton, and even that sells for more than the Unitas. I like having one of Unitas too though, and if I were to sell it, I could get a Payton, a Unitas, and probably pick up a Csonka 97 Legends autograph (it's the one card I still need from the set that isn't one of the most expensive, but it's up there) in place of the 97 Unitas auto. I can feel me talking myself into selling it. I just don't want to do anything I would regret.

I am thinking about it from a collecting stand point, not investment. It's nice that things go up, or hold in price, but it isn't about "investment" for me. (I have what I consider real investments, so I can try to enjoy the hobby.) The only reason the money is an issue, is because I can't imagine I will ever touch one again if I let this one go. Then again, I could get at least a handful of really nice cards that I like for $700-$1,000.

2dueces

I guess it boils down to what you enjoy more. I've seen some 5's ( missed a surface wrinkle) that would knock your socks off and some 9's that just don't belong in that holder. Can you justify paying $1000 for a 9 when you could buy an 8 of that cards and 39 more 8's from that set for the same $1000? My choice is alway quality, (but not registry madness) and quanity. I am working on a set of all 5 's and 6's and they are stunning. I could afford 9's but most of the time (with my eyes) the only difference is the price. I would sell the Auto you have and buy 5 or 6 autos with the money and chalk it up as a great deal. JMO

metalmike

Gawy spel badd he evil spellcheck hee hee I am a card geek- What? Mike