I'm considering liquidating my entire collection for a Mantle RC again.

After the latest grading debacle I'm back to wondering whether I should just roll with one card rather than attempt to complete partially graded, but mostly raw, high grade sets. I'm thinking about selling all but a few cards and picking up a '52 Mantle, or buying a completely graded '53 Bowman color set.
On first glance, it looks like a pretty easy call: invest in one card that goes up every year - or alternatively, 160 cards comprising one of the all time great sets - and have more space in the house, no grading hassles, no Ebay searching, etc. vs. thousands of cards inhabiting my home, continued frustration over grading, overgraded raw cards, constant searching for nice stuff, louping cards, keeping track of lists, searching for the 5 cards I need to complete my flippin' '75 set, griping about sellers that overprice their raw stuff, see where I'm going?
Does the challenge of completing all these sets - which I enjoy greatly -- outweigh those hassles?
Ron
On first glance, it looks like a pretty easy call: invest in one card that goes up every year - or alternatively, 160 cards comprising one of the all time great sets - and have more space in the house, no grading hassles, no Ebay searching, etc. vs. thousands of cards inhabiting my home, continued frustration over grading, overgraded raw cards, constant searching for nice stuff, louping cards, keeping track of lists, searching for the 5 cards I need to complete my flippin' '75 set, griping about sellers that overprice their raw stuff, see where I'm going?
Does the challenge of completing all these sets - which I enjoy greatly -- outweigh those hassles?
Ron
Ron Burgundy
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
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1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold Ozzie Smith
2006 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor Chris Carpenter
<< <i>i think you'll end up bored if you don't have something to work on. >>
I agree with this statement...
I say get the Mantle and then I'm sure you'll work yourself back into set collecting again once the addiction kicks back in.
If you sold everything and just bought a mantle or graded set, you would be out of the hobby I would think.
Actually I'm in the same boat as you, as I'm building nice raw sets with the keys graded. But it's my hobby, so I don't mind the thousands of cards inhabiting my home, continued frustration over grading, overgraded raw cards, constant searching for nice stuff, louping cards, keeping track of lists, searching for the 5 cards I need to complete my flippin' '75 set, griping about sellers that overprice their raw stuff................ see where I'm going?
Chris
My small collection
Want List:
'61 Topps Roy Campanella in PSA 5-7
Cardinal T206 cards
Adam Wainwright GU Jersey
Just my thoughts man, good luck!!!!
ebay i.d. clydecoolidge - Lots of vintage stars and HOFers, raw, condition fully disclosed.
<< <i>I'm thinking about selling all but a few cards and picking up a '52 Mantle, or buying a completely graded '53 Bowman color set. >>
I tell you what Ron, Both of those options seem like great choices to me....
Why not just down size to a 52 Mantle, then slowly pick up cards(already graded) to the 53 Bowman set to give you something to do with your time and keep you involved witht he hobby.
<< <i>and have more space in the house, no grading hassles, no Ebay searching, etc. vs. thousands of cards inhabiting my home, continued frustration over grading, overgraded raw cards, constant searching for nice stuff, louping cards, keeping track of lists, >>
I can tell you I am right were you are at...... I am about to downsize my collection also.... I am thinking about selling everything except a couple of partial completed 50's sets and a hand full of other cards.
True. Be thankful I don't post about my off topic drama. You want to hear about my dog Baxter? Or eating steak while in the bathtub?
I do enjoy the hobby, I really do. There's nothing like uncovering a sweet raw vintage card, even if it's just a common. But it does get frustrating at times.
I told myself 3 years ago I wanted to build nice sets from '54-80. And that has been my passion ever since, but I wonder from a financial and hassle standpoint if it is not smarter to do what I mentioned above.
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
<< <i>You want to hear about my dog Baxter? >>
Totally your fault. You threw a burrito out of a moving vehicle.
Also it makes upgrading much easier IMO when your offering a PSA 4 Mantle RC as trade in on a PSA 5.
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It is MUCH smarter.
PS: Keep in mind that when I bought all that crap, there was no internet and no ebay! So I bought blind like all of us back then!!!!
<< <i>"...but I wonder from a financial ........standpoint if it is not smarter to do what I mentioned above. .."
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It is MUCH smarter. >>
Probley but not as fun I imagine. I am working on 20+ sets (or 40+ if you consider the All-Times sets...most of which falls within the other 20). But the advantage of working on multiple sets is not having to pay 2x SMR or 3x normal ebay for that card I have to have. Another one will always come around and I would rather fill two slots in set B then one in set A.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
cash out and buy the 52 Mantle.
Steve
Ripken in the Minors * Ripken in the Minors Facebook Page
<< <i>Ron if you are a collector the grading debacle should not worry you, you know the condition of the cards, If you are in this for an investment then by all means
cash out and buy the 52 Mantle.
Steve >>
Agreed. Your an investor ..not a collector...go for the highest grade HOF rookie you can afford and place in safety deposit box along with PMs and other investments
Loves me some shiny!
Last 5 sales VCP PSA 8 - 60,972
investment? Seems like it keeps pace with infaltion, at best. Maybe the return would be better than what you have now, but in terms of baseball cards, there have been far better returns on many other cards, including dozens of "modern" RCs. To make this an investment, I think you would need a PSA 9 or 10 and there are only 9 of those.
Seeking primarily PSA graded pre-war "type" cards
My PSA Registry Sets
34 Goudey, 75 Topps Mini, Hall of Fame Complete Set, 1985 Topps Tiffany, Hall of Fame Players Complete Set
If you are planning to continue to use discretionary income on cards in the future, you will be able to rebuild your collection in the way you see fit with the Mantle as your centerpiece.
That cat looks like it could kick my butt! lol.
my buddycat could care less what i did to him,
i just tried to take a pic of my other one with the painted turtle shell on her head,she ddnt want anything to with it,ill drill holes and make chin strap,that will teach her
the cup was to cover up his conehead like on sat night live
I think what I'm going to do is inventory all my stuff, price it, and sit tight. If I see a nice Mantle come along, it is on!
2nd thing: I'll post tonight a pic of my card collecting cat. He's not a housecat, he's a wild animal. Or at least large enough to look like one.
Ron
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
Bosox1976
Experiencing pain and joy in the hobby are not mutually exclusive events.
Just when we're riding high, something happens to knock us down. Then something comes along to ignite a fire under us that can't be described.
There's no wrong answer here - there's no "right" thing to do - because in the end - whatever you choose, you can always change the course of direction.
I don't collect a lot of cards anymore for expressly the frustration you're encountering. I collect fun stuff that doesn't break the bank and gives me joy.
So, I wish you luck - whatever you choose. Doing an inventory should take some time and give you a breather - perhaps something will fire you up again. IMO - don't let those graders get you down - perhaps just swear off PSA grading for a bit?
But - if ya find a great Mantle? Please post it!
Mike.5
<< <i>Or eating steak while in the bathtub? >>
I think I just threw up in my mouth.
* C. PASCUAL BASIC #3
* T. PEREZ BASIC #4 100%
* L. TIANT BASIC #1
* DRYSDALE BASIC #4 100%
* MAGIC MASTER #4/BASIC #3
* PALMEIRO MASTER/BASIC #1
* '65 DISNEYLAND #2
* '78 ELVIS PRESLEY #6
* '78 THREE'S COMPANY #1
WaltDisneyBoards
<< <i>
I told myself 3 years ago I wanted to build nice sets from '54-80. And that has been my passion ever since, but I wonder from a financial and hassle standpoint if it is not smarter to do what I mentioned above. >>
Then do it. Sheesh, Tom, what will it take to convince you. Building a one-card collection is stupid, imo. Might was well just buy bulk gold bullions. My advice is to just build a few sets at a time (I'm doing 8, sort of, from my 21) and don't always feel you have to get high grade raws. The joy is in the journey.
Good luck on your quest for the Mantle,What grade are you looking to get?
Jake
The times I have been most unhappy in this hobby is when I have quantity over quality. I was back in that boat last year.
I still have a few lots to sell off on the BST boards, but after that, I am back on the small collection path. It just works for me. I know it is not for everyone.
I do admire those who have the huge collections. I enjoy it when they post scans because it inspires me to zero in on what I might want to buy next.
As for the 1952 Mantle, I say go for it. Just be sure to keep the cards that mean something to you, like those 58's you got last year. That thread was the best! Good luck.
Robert
<< <i>Whatever you decide but don't buy a 1952 Mantle from 707. >>
I am curious.... why not. If I can get my hands on a 52 Mantle PSA 8 Topps from him... why not??? chaz