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

RonBurgundy

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

prscott933

i think you'll end up bored if you don't have something to work on.

nam812

Only you can answer that question.

gosteelers

<< <i>i think you'll end up bored if you don't have something to work on. >>



I agree with this statement...

leathtech

But what would you do with all your new free time?

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.

BobS

Ron - you do enjoy the hobby, don't you?

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?

cwazzy

The important thing is to find what makes you happy in the hobby. If it is one great card than you should do it. If you think you would tire of it quickly than maybe you should find another area. You definately won't have any trouble selling your cards if you decide to do that.

Chris

nam812

Unlike Guru, Ron always has some "on topic" drama going on.

clydecoolidge

It sounds like you're at a crossroads here. You may have turned collecting as a fun hobby, into a frusterating "task." For one, do whatever is going to make you happy. IMO, the ebay searching, grading troubles (although I check myself on this as to not become frusterated with grading my cards), and the clutter that I always have in my place of dwelling, is the whole fun of the hobby. It's always a challenge and a fun one at that. I would'nt make any rash decisions. If I were you, I would think long and hard about what it is that really makes you happy about card collecting. I have to assume that owning one card (although one of the greats) would make you really depressed in the long run. I have a vision of you sitting and staring at that one card, with a really sad look on your face, with nothing to look forward to other than that one card increasing in value a little each year.
Just my thoughts man, good luck!!!!

bifff257

<< <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.

RonBurgundy

"Unlike Guru, Ron always has some "on topic" drama going on."


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.

nam812

<< <i>You want to hear about my dog Baxter? >>



Totally your fault. You threw a burrito out of a moving vehicle.

Guru

Wow, so does this make me a celebrity now? It's kinda nice knowing people actually gossip about me in other forums. Thanks!

Morgoth

Ron I would say if the Mantle is your dream card grab it. I basically sold almost my entire Clemente Collection to buy a nice Clemente RC and have never regretted it. You can find these set cards over time but if you find a nice Mantle RC in the grade and condition you want I would go for it and rebuild at your leasure if you so desire.

Also it makes upgrading much easier IMO when your offering a PSA 4 Mantle RC as trade in on a PSA 5.

relaxed

Ron, What you are experiencing is something most people do with hobbies. Times when the hobby is the best thing going and then maybe because of money, time, experiences, you wander if you should keep persuding. Maybe you need a timeout and take a month or two away from collecting to see how much you miss it. Maybe its time to downsize some but not to the extent you might regret. No right or wrong answer to your question, its what you feel inside that counts.

nam812

+1 for the cat with the lime helmet.

sagard

I've got a similar goal as you Ron. However I don't intend to own the cards all at the same time. Some sets I make a little off, some I don't. I'm also going to work a set from every decade. It basically caps the value of my collection and greatly reduces the money spent from outside my hobby. I've put together complete PSA set, but I don't have the time or energy to go for another at this point.

CDsNuts

Lime helmet cat's arch nemesis:

storm888

"...but I wonder from a financial ........standpoint if it is not smarter to do what I mentioned above. .."

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

It is MUCH smarter.

chaz43

Ron- I don't know what to tell you. I am sitting on a ton of late 80's and early 90's crap. If I sold I would get pennies on the dollar. Looking back, I'd much rather have a 52 Mantle PSA 8 (60K) than all the crap ( I lost about 60K) I am stuck with now. Best of Luck in whatever you do. chaz

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!!!!

MeteoriteGuy

<< <i>"...but I wonder from a financial ........standpoint if it is not smarter to do what I mentioned above. .."

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

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.

WinPitcher

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

ripkenintheminors

I have never consolidated to the point of a single card worth that much, but I did begin consolidating a few years ago. I realized that the only way that I would have a real shot at owning some of my "dream cards" would be if I was willing to part with a lot of other cards that I loved. However, I can honestly say that I've never looked back. If anything I'm glad that I have made the deals that I've made. If it's something that you really want I'd say to go for it.

carew4me

<< <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

Guru

I know the feeling of sitting on 80's and 90's overproduced crap. That's pretty much all I have at this point. It sucks because I honestly don't want to go through it all, but I'd like to see what I actually have. I feel that purging is great as long as there's a purpose behind it.

cravetopps

1995 52 Mantle PSA 8 - 45,000
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.

Morgoth

Lee is there an adult section at stuffonmycat.com because I want to avoid clicking on it by mistake.

DrJ

If you are going to stick with the hobby, I think you may be on to something if you liquidate for a Mantle. You are trading everything you have accumulated to this point for one of the holy grails of collecting.

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.

relaxed

Lee,
That cat looks like it could kick my butt! lol.

Overrated

Ron I did this 3 years ago, best thing I ever did, then I sold my 52! regret it everyday! Do it Ron you will be happy with a 52 Mantle just dont sell like I did!

rube26105

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

RonBurgundy

Couple things:


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

Morgoth

it's on!!!!!

perkdog

Like Donkey Kong!

Bosox1976

I think the Mantle is the way to go too. I would imagine buying one that is worth your whole collection is no easy task; most of the Mantles out there are poorly centered and/or low grade. It is "on like Donkey Kong" when a decent one is on the market. Being on the prowl for the right one will still allow you a significant chunk of hobby time. Of course, once you get it you'll have to have a nice 53T Mantle, and a 51B, and a...

Stone193

Ron

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

Gonblott

Whatever you decide but don't buy a 1952 Mantle from 707.

larryallen73

I personally enjoy the HOBBY. Having one or even a handful of cards will end the hobby for me as I could only look at my Mantle so many times. Not sure what other pasttime I would start to fill the void. Good luck

ArnyVee

<< <i>Or eating steak while in the bathtub? >>



I think I just threw up in my mouth.

Buccaneer

<< <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.

bluemarlin

Ron,
Good luck on your quest for the Mantle,What grade are you looking to get?

Jake

Goodsport40

Ron, I am most likely in the minority on this, but I really like having a smaller collection of around 100 cards.

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

chaz43

<< <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