I don't have the slightest clue what the market will be in 15 to 20 years ( I will probably be dead). All markets have their low points and high points and usually settle in somewhere in the middle. The trick of any market is selling high and buying low, and whoever ends up with the most marbles is usually very rich or their relatives have them committed to the mental ward and sell off all the stuff they collected and go on vacation to disneyland or go to Vegas and put it all on black and let the wheel roll. Opps gotta go I hear the men in white coats knocking at the door.
<< <i>I don't have the slightest clue what the market will be in 15 to 20 years. All markets have their low points and high points and usually settle in somewhere in the middle. The trick of any market is selling high and buying low, and whoever ends up with the most marbles is usually very rich or their relatives have them committed to the mental ward and sell off all the stuff they collected and go on vacation to disneyland or go to Vegas and put it all on black and let the wheel roll. Opps gotta go I hear the men in white coats knocking at the door. >>
I agree with that 100%. That is why i am constantly changing my collection around, buying and selling. I typically never have more than 200 cards in my collection. When i feel a player is either going to sink, i sell, or if i feel they hit a high i sell. Of course you wont always get it right, but it makes the hobby a little more affordable than if you keep collecting stuff that gets old and no one wants anymore. I picked up a couple chase utley rookies just a couple months ago for about $40 a pop and sold for $150 each. They went as high as $260 recently, but i am happy i made over $200 in a month. Once Utley cools down, and his cards are more reasonable, i will probably pick up another for the pc. RIght now is a good time to pick up good deals on rare bonds cards if you even want one in your collection...i know i will want a few. Buy players with good potential who aren't at their peek, who aren't in the news, or have bad publicity....sell when the market is ripe with lots of great news. I know it's kind of hard to sell when the player is at their peak, but when you realize you can probably buy it back eventually for a lot less, it makes it easier...
Roy Oswalt rare rookies should be coming down after a couple more bad starts and would be a good deal. Roger's cards are at a low, if you want to add one to your collection..... Who else can you think of will be low now, but have good potential upturn....Andruw Jones, if you think he will ever get it together...still under 30 years old...he should be able to put up great numbers if he can ever get it together....right now his stuff is dirt cheap. Manny has always been low priced for the numbers he puts up.
<< <i>I dont know your age, but i am near 50, and will probably continue to collect for the next 20 years, and i suspect most people that are 40+ that currently collect will continue to collect until they are ready to retire, and maybe even then so. I also believe that there are tons of younger collectors (ever check ebay out)?, that will keep the business alive. >>
I thought you were alot younger. You have alot of great modern cards and a nice collection!
Not sure if any of these will gain much value, but at least I don't think any of these will lose value. Due to the fact that collecting was so big in the 80's, and a lot of these collectors left, many will come back and more than likely collect the cards from their youth. Since the 80's was so over produced, many of these collectors will chase products from the 80's that is rarer.
Two sets come to mind, 1) Topps Tiffany sets sealed - with the 86 Topps Traded may lose value, 2) OPC, mint and centered, graded or not. This is assuming your buying now off Ebay and paying an average price for these.
Collector of Dale Murphy Collector of OPC 1980-1985
<< <i>Not sure if any of these will gain much value, but at least I don't think any of these will lose value. Due to the fact that collecting was so big in the 80's, and a lot of these collectors left, many will come back and more than likely collect the cards from their youth. Since the 80's was so over produced, many of these collectors will chase products from the 80's that is rarer.
Two sets come to mind, 1) Topps Tiffany sets sealed - with the 86 Topps Traded may lose value, 2) OPC, mint and centered, graded or not. This is assuming your buying now off Ebay and paying an average price for these. >>
I think tiffany's have great potential (but again, i would stick with rookies of the greats). They once were quite high, but for some reason the market fell out of the botom of them, and I believe they will rebound...shhh.... Rare minors, i believe will have potential upswing as well....too bad I dumped all my rare ones!
<< <i>I am in the same boat as Bigfische, I'm a young (20 y/o) vintage set collector. I also do not know anyone my age who collects at all seriously. I'm not sure who will be buying 50s and 60s cards in 30 years- I guess if Bigfische and I decide not to bid on the same auctions, maybe we will get everything for the opening bid!!
John >>
To be honest, i really feel that a much larger percentage of collectors of the younger generation are more into Autos, GU, and rookies. Check out topps and beckett message boards. Also check the trade boards. There is a lot of interest in card collecting, just not so many newbie set collectors. I believe it is kind of a dying breed. JMO. I think it is much more enticing and fulfilling to find more rare "cool" cards and rare rookies of the big names and the big prospects than set collecting of commons, especially if you enjoy the sport of baseball, rather than just card collecting.
here is a sample of what I like...i like it all, including vintage, autos, gu, rare rookies, etc....i find it fulfilling.
Note - there is a selection on vintage as well... my collection >>
I do think a lot of the cards you post are very cool. I just am a set collector and that is that. I didnt decide to be one, its just what i find natural. I hope more people do switch to buying a few key cards, that will make my set collecting easier. And its not that i dont care about the value of my collection, its just that id rather get the commons dirt cheap and shell out for the stars and rookies of the year(s) i am collecting at the time. I find it fulfilling to get the last card i need from a set, and i think it is rather appealing collecting someone i have only heard stories about.
<< <i>I am in the same boat as Bigfische, I'm a young (20 y/o) vintage set collector. I also do not know anyone my age who collects at all seriously. I'm not sure who will be buying 50s and 60s cards in 30 years- I guess if Bigfische and I decide not to bid on the same auctions, maybe we will get everything for the opening bid!!
John >>
To be honest, i really feel that a much larger percentage of collectors of the younger generation are more into Autos, GU, and rookies. Check out topps and beckett message boards. Also check the trade boards. There is a lot of interest in card collecting, just not so many newbie set collectors. I believe it is kind of a dying breed. JMO. I think it is much more enticing and fulfilling to find more rare "cool" cards and rare rookies of the big names and the big prospects than set collecting of commons, especially if you enjoy the sport of baseball, rather than just card collecting.
here is a sample of what I like...i like it all, including vintage, autos, gu, rare rookies, etc....i find it fulfilling.
Note - there is a selection on vintage as well... my collection >>
I do think a lot of the cards you post are very cool. I just am a set collector and that is that. I didnt decide to be one, its just what i find natural. I hope more people do switch to buying a few key cards, that will make my set collecting easier. And its not that i dont care about the value of my collection, its just that id rather get the commons dirt cheap and shell out for the stars and rookies of the year(s) i am collecting at the time. I find it fulfilling to get the last card i need from a set, and i think it is rather appealing collecting someone i have only heard stories about. >>
I can't argue with that logic. I understand the addiction in wanting to complete a set. The main difference I see is that it is self-fulfilling, that only the collector really apreciates. Others will also congratulate a set collector in their efforts because they also understand and appreciate the addiction. I don't knock it. You will never find me knocking anyone for what they collect and enjoy. The topic was about what cards will go up in value, and I just personally dont see 60s-70s set collecting as prosperous. I am not suggesting that it is bad or anything wrong with it. As long as one enjoys what they are doing, and it is keeping them out of the bars and out of trouble, I say "WONDERFUL"!
I, also appreciate the set collecting concept, and have actually made a couple feeble attempts which i eventually gave up on, so I understand and appreciate the concept. Personally, I find it more enjoyable and more "challenging" to colect in the matter that I do. I, personally, find it more enjoyable collecting the stars and one of a kinds, and interesting cards, that few others have. I really enjoy the hobby of trying to find the "unique" and desirable, that I believe others will also enjoy.
Again, you will never find me knock another's hobby or what they collect, and on the contrary, you will be more likely find me sticking up for others than finding fault with others. The topic is definetely debateable, and more than likely, no one will really have the right answers.....until then.....HAPPY COLLECTING!
Just a for the record, i think the best vintage cards for appreciation would be the most classic and most desirable...
You can't go wrong with these: T205/T206 Honus, Cobb, Matthewson, CY, Johnson 1934 Gehrig (year of his triple crown and his best looking card) 1948 Jackie 1952 Bowman Musial (one of the best looking vintage cards ever made IMHO) 1952 Mantle 1954 Aaron 1955 Clemente (centered) 1957 Frank Robinson (undervalued) 1963 Rose 1968 Bench & Nolan (volume of the 68 set will keep this low, but finding the perfectly centered ones will be worth the premium)
Just using the board here as a base, and using comments posted in the many threads, I suspect the average age of members here is about 35-38.
Most of these members collect vintage cards. They haven't reached their peak earning years, likely still have kids in grade school, and look forward to more disposable income in the next 20-30 years.
They collected cards when they were kids in the 70s and 80s, but they now collect cards all the way back to pre-war. Cards are a passionate hobby for them.
They didn't see Mantle play, but they sure know who he is.
I would guess then that vintage cards have a nice future as these collectors age.
The impact of "today's kids not collecting cards" won't be seen for many decades, until today's thirty-somethings reach their seventies or so.
<< <i>Any study will also show that kids don't collect like they used to, so when they grow up and make money they won't care about buying the RCs (or any other cards) they wanted as a kid. The only (and I repeat ONLY) reason that the big cards of the late 70s and early 80s have held any kind of value is because the 25-40 age group wants them. When today's kids become adults, they won't go back and hunt for all the Pujols and Manning cards they wanted as a kid because they didn't want them as a kid. people who collect modern cards are adults with money who speculate (generally speaking). When they become tired of this era of cards, all but the big RCs will become almost completely worthless, and the big RCs will be worth around 20-40% of what they are now.
How many numbered 1/1 cards does Albert Pujols have? 200? 500? You think in 30 years that collectors will want to or even care to distinguish between the UD Black, Topps Chrome Green refractor, or Donruss Elite Platinum Pujols 1/1 card, or will they just lump everything in the same category like we now do with most of the mid-late 90s inserts from Fleer Ultra, Bowman's Best, Fleer Focus, etc........
No one knows for sure what the future will hold, but using history and human nature as indicators, you can guess with a reasonable amount of certainty what's going to happen with the last decade of cards 20-30 years from now, and it's not pretty. >>
That's the thing-- I don't think we can at all guess what will happen 20-30 years down the road. Think about it-- if, back in 1992, I would have told you that a 1984 Dwight Stephenson would sell for upwards of $2000 because it was in a plastic holder with a numerical grade assigned to it would you have ever believed me? If I would have told you that an EX 1952 Mantle would sell for $25,000 or so would I have sounded like anything but a total crackpot?
Nobody knows. In fact, nobody even has a CLUE. There is just no way to tell what the hobby will be like in 2025, because all predictions are based on the ridiculous assumption that most relevant factors will hold constant. And if there's one thing we CAN say with some certainty it's that these factors will not, in fact, be held constant, since they never have held for a span that long at any point in the history of the hobby. It could be that we'll all be able to put together 1967 Topps sets in PSA 9 for $1700. Or, it could happen that Manning SP RC's end up selling for $18000 a pop. There's absolutely no way to tell.
The supporting argument for the notion that card collecting is doomed almost always involves the fact that kids don't collect the way they used to. Well, OK- I can buy that. But who would have EVER thought 20-30 years ago that the hobby would one day be dominated by adults? Again, it's a development that nobody could have possibly envisioned. In fact, virtually nothing about the hobby today could have been envisioned by a collector 20 years ago, just as nothing about the hobby in 1988 (the RC craze, etc) could have been predicted by a collector back in the late 1960's. So why would we think that anything about the hobby 20 years from now could possibly be predicted with a degree of certainty right now?
<< <i>I can't argue with that logic. I understand the addiction in wanting to complete a set. The main difference I see is that it is self-fulfilling, that only the collector really apreciates. Others will also congratulate a set collector in their efforts because they also understand and appreciate the addiction. I don't knock it. You will never find me knocking anyone for what they collect and enjoy. >>
You don't knock it... it must have been someone else who said this earlier in the thread then... "I would say the 15-30 year olds of today are far more educated in card collecting than most of the 40-60 year olds collecting today. They know better than to throw away their money on set collecting of commons, and to focus their attention on modern rare rookies and vintage high grade rookies of hofers."
<< <i>Any study will also show that kids don't collect like they used to, so when they grow up and make money they won't care about buying the RCs (or any other cards) they wanted as a kid. The only (and I repeat ONLY) reason that the big cards of the late 70s and early 80s have held any kind of value is because the 25-40 age group wants them. When today's kids become adults, they won't go back and hunt for all the Pujols and Manning cards they wanted as a kid because they didn't want them as a kid. people who collect modern cards are adults with money who speculate (generally speaking). When they become tired of this era of cards, all but the big RCs will become almost completely worthless, and the big RCs will be worth around 20-40% of what they are now.
How many numbered 1/1 cards does Albert Pujols have? 200? 500? You think in 30 years that collectors will want to or even care to distinguish between the UD Black, Topps Chrome Green refractor, or Donruss Elite Platinum Pujols 1/1 card, or will they just lump everything in the same category like we now do with most of the mid-late 90s inserts from Fleer Ultra, Bowman's Best, Fleer Focus, etc........
No one knows for sure what the future will hold, but using history and human nature as indicators, you can guess with a reasonable amount of certainty what's going to happen with the last decade of cards 20-30 years from now, and it's not pretty. >>
That's the thing-- I don't think we can at all guess what will happen 20-30 years down the road. Think about it-- if, back in 1992, I would have told you that a 1984 Dwight Stephenson would sell for upwards of $2000 because it was in a plastic holder with a numerical grade assigned to it would you have ever believed me? If I would have told you that an EX 1952 Mantle would sell for $25,000 or so would I have sounded like anything but a total crackpot?
Nobody knows. In fact, nobody even has a CLUE. There is just no way to tell what the hobby will be like in 2025, because all predictions are based on the ridiculous assumption that most relevant factors will hold constant. And if there's one thing we CAN say with some certainty it's that these factors will not, in fact, be held constant, since they never have held for a span that long at any point in the history of the hobby. It could be that we'll all be able to put together 1967 Topps sets in PSA 9 for $1700. Or, it could happen that Manning SP RC's end up selling for $18000 a pop. There's absolutely no way to tell. >>
True, so true...but that takes the fun out of the debate (lol). Of course it is all speculation, and the author was seeking opinions and debate. If everyone knew, we would all be rich! Personally, i believe the US will be in deep economic trials, and only the rich will be able to throw away money on cardboard, and the cards of choice will be the highest grade rookies of the legends, just as always.
That's right...ya never know...What if Ryan Leaf in 2025 becomes President of the United States, and his rookie cards become worth a fortune?
Perhaps a $100 investment in Ryan Leaf cards back in 2008, would then be worth over a million dollars in 2025. We would say in 2025, "Dam, I wish I woulda done that!"
<< <i>Any study will also show that kids don't collect like they used to, so when they grow up and make money they won't care about buying the RCs (or any other cards) they wanted as a kid. The only (and I repeat ONLY) reason that the big cards of the late 70s and early 80s have held any kind of value is because the 25-40 age group wants them. When today's kids become adults, they won't go back and hunt for all the Pujols and Manning cards they wanted as a kid because they didn't want them as a kid. people who collect modern cards are adults with money who speculate (generally speaking). When they become tired of this era of cards, all but the big RCs will become almost completely worthless, and the big RCs will be worth around 20-40% of what they are now.
How many numbered 1/1 cards does Albert Pujols have? 200? 500? You think in 30 years that collectors will want to or even care to distinguish between the UD Black, Topps Chrome Green refractor, or Donruss Elite Platinum Pujols 1/1 card, or will they just lump everything in the same category like we now do with most of the mid-late 90s inserts from Fleer Ultra, Bowman's Best, Fleer Focus, etc........
No one knows for sure what the future will hold, but using history and human nature as indicators, you can guess with a reasonable amount of certainty what's going to happen with the last decade of cards 20-30 years from now, and it's not pretty. >>
That's the thing-- I don't think we can at all guess what will happen 20-30 years down the road. Think about it-- if, back in 1992, I would have told you that a 1984 Dwight Stephenson would sell for upwards of $2000 because it was in a plastic holder with a numerical grade assigned to it would you have ever believed me? If I would have told you that an EX 1952 Mantle would sell for $25,000 or so would I have sounded like anything but a total crackpot?
Nobody knows. In fact, nobody even has a CLUE. There is just no way to tell what the hobby will be like in 2025, because all predictions are based on the ridiculous assumption that most relevant factors will hold constant. And if there's one thing we CAN say with some certainty it's that these factors will not, in fact, be held constant, since they never have held for a span that long at any point in the history of the hobby. It could be that we'll all be able to put together 1967 Topps sets in PSA 9 for $1700. Or, it could happen that Manning SP RC's end up selling for $18000 a pop. There's absolutely no way to tell. >>
True, so true...but that takes the fun out of the debate (lol). Of course it is all speculation, and the author was seeking opinions and debate. If everyone knew, we would all be rich! Personally, i believe the US will be in deep economic trials, and only the rich will be able to throw away money on cardboard, and the cards of choice will be the highest grade rookies of the legends, just as always. >>
And Thomas Malthus-- a man who had more brain power than everyone on this board combined-- was dead sure that London would be buried under 60 feet of horse crap by the middle of the 19th century.
I know this is really just a barroom debate, but I really think it's important that intelligent people don't cave in to the temptation to try and predict future behavior based on present trends. It's almost always wrong, and when these predictions do come to pass it can almost always be chalked up to a function of chance.
<< <i>I can't argue with that logic. I understand the addiction in wanting to complete a set. The main difference I see is that it is self-fulfilling, that only the collector really apreciates. Others will also congratulate a set collector in their efforts because they also understand and appreciate the addiction. I don't knock it. You will never find me knocking anyone for what they collect and enjoy. >>
You don't knock it... it must have been someone else who said this earlier in the thread then... "I would say the 15-30 year olds of today are far more educated in card collecting than most of the 40-60 year olds collecting today. They know better than to throw away their money on set collecting of commons, and to focus their attention on modern rare rookies and vintage high grade rookies of hofers."
Snorto~ >>
You got me....my personal opinion must have slipped by me(LOL). Seriously, I don't believe it is prosperous, but if you enjoy it, go for it. The topic, after all, was what cards do you think will appreciate over 20+ years. It is my opinion that collecting rare rookie autos of future hofers will be a better investment than collecting commons. It is an opinion that could be wrong, but it is my opinoin none the less. I never said anything was wrong with collecting commons. My wife gardens. She spends a few hundred dollars every season to grow vegetables that would probably cost half the price to buy them in the grocery store. It's a hobby. I will say it again, if you enjoy it, go for it!
Just got off the phone to my Physic hotline and was told that cards will be worthless in 2013 , because the world is going to end in 2012. I guess this means ( I am quitting this hobby now and looking to buy a ticket before 2012 to Mars). All help appreciated. thanks in advance .
I believe that certain error cards will continue to hold value, i.e. 1982 topps backless, 1980 yellow name version and a truely rare species from the 80's is the 1985 topps mini test set. Sure would like to have one of those.
Call me crazy, but I really do believe that there will br a resurgence in cards from the 80's. Due to the fact that many of the collectors were kids, like I was, and left the hobby during the 90's are starting to trickle back. Many of us have children and will want to share the same experience with them. For less than 20 bucks, one can still get a wax box from that era shipped to your house. Bust cheap wax is not a profit maker by no means.
However, as these individuals return to the hobby, many will focus on collecting cards from their own childhood era. That being said, I still believe that one could invest (so to speak) in certain areas of cards from the 80's.
Holding on to some 1983 Michigan test wax boxes would not be a losing proposition.
Repeating a little here, any topps tiffany set that is still factory sealed will only rise in value, except for the 86 topp traded, it may have peaked.
1984 nestle set, which is ungradeable, is a nice looking set, as well as the 1980 burger kings, and 1981 coca-cola sets made to look like topps. I know the 84 Nestle was isssued only in uncut sheets, therefore not gradable, but why not a hand cut qualifer just like on certain food issues?
High grade OPC, 10 or 9's, will do well in the future, in my opinion. 1980 OPC seems be rarer than any of the other years. Don't know why but it just does.
The one item I do believe that will not hold its current value will be low pop 10's from mass issued sets in the 80's. Simply because 10 years from now they probably will not be low pop, the will just be 1 of 34 or somethinhg like that. On the flipside, I believe that the set registry will continue to go strong and will only attract new collectors.
1985 Leaf in a high grade will only rise in value. Produced in much lower quantity and very sensitive black borders. It is one of the few sets in wnich a low pop 10 may actually stay a low pop 10. Not exactly millions of factory sealed cases of these setting in attics, unlike 85 Topps, Fleer, and Donruss
Early 80's rack pack cases sealed from the factory will rise in value. I love rack pack due to the fact the cards seem to come from these a little crisper and cleaner and seem to grade better than cards from a wax bust. The factory seal will be very important for max value.
And a true rarity, I've only seen one and it was on ebay, is a 1982 topps factory set. Not sure if they have a factory seal but if they do, you would not lose money on this item over the course of years.
As far as cards from 1994 +, I have no idea. From the prices I've seen on Ebay, there has to be a thriving market at this time and who am I to try to predict it but here I go. In my opinion, only about 5% of the cards from this era will retain there current value. If one could have the foresight to predict what t
Collector of Dale Murphy Collector of OPC 1980-1985
that last sentence was to supposed to read like this, if one has the foresight to correctly predict what that 5% will be, then they could do very well for themselves
Collector of Dale Murphy Collector of OPC 1980-1985
I heard a guy say that we should all buy GEM MINT 1983 Gwynn rookies. Not graded by some arbitary 3rd party but just HIS opinion of what a perfect card looks like! If I understood him right he said they would be guaranteed good investments. Or maybe I misunderstood him!?
Glad I was able to start a nice (and civil) discussion!
Personally, I think the most undervalued items out there are early basketball and early football. Seventies basketball is colder than ice even though the sets are full of superstars, very condition sensitive, and full of well-know HOFers. Down the road I think the colorful 71-72 and 72-73 sets will become very popular and eventually come to rival the 1954/1955/1956 Topps Baseball sets in popularity, and the 69-70 tallboy set with the Alcindor, Bradley, Havlicek, Reed, and Frazier RC's will also become very popular as well.
However, if I had to invest in one set for the next twenty years, it would be a well-centered 1961 Fleer Basketball set. Gorgeous eye appeal, impossible to find well centered, 37 HOFers out of 66 cards (is there any other regular issue set out there that's 56% HOFers), and several key RC's (Chamberlain, West, Robertson, Baylor). This set is IMHO, on its way to becoming the "holy grail" of basketball, and eventually I think it will become just as popular and proportionately valuable as 1952 Topps is for baseball. Look at some of the prices in PSA 8....Chamberlain RC ($1500), Robertson RC ($900), West RC ($850), Baylor RC ($625), Russell ($750), Cousy ($400)....all very inexpensive compared to baseball RC's considering their condition scarcity.
I think 1964-1972 football is also very undervalued and will eventually gain in popularity, especially the drop-dead gorgeous 1964 Philadelphia set. The 1957 Topps FB set will also eventually rise in prominence to rival 1952 Topps Baseball because of the Unitas, Starr, and Hornung RC's as well as its gorgeous design.
If you want an idea of how the sports compare, look at a cross-sport comparison of PSA 8 stars & rookies from 1969, the first year in which there were Topps sets in all three sports:
Chamberlain - $350 (#1 in set) - pop 62 Havlicek RC - $375 - pop 119 Alcindor RC - $950 - pop 109 Bradley RC - $175 - pop 116 Robertson - $110 - pop 76 Reed RC - $90 - pop 105 West - $185 - pop 95 Frazier RC - $165 - pop 81 Dawson - $25 - pop 122 Unitas - $95 - pop 331 Sayers - $110 - pop 170 Namath - $135 - pop 343 Csonka RC - $135 - pop 289 Butkus - $100 - pop 70 Tarkenton - $65 - pop 66 Griese - $70 - pop 103 Starr - $90 - pop 100 Blanda - $55 - pop 76
VS
Clemente - $160 - pop 415 Bench - $130 - pop 322 Aaron - $180 - pop 261 Rose - $110 - pop 391 Yaz - $225 - pop 129 Mays - $175 - pop 237 Reggie RC - $525 - pop 337 Seaver - $150 - pop 193 Mantle - $585 - pop 303 Ryan - $425 - pop 503
In most cases, basketball and football superstars are about 1/3 to 1/2 the price of their baseball counterparts even though they generally have lower populations. If you want to compare NY superstars, look at Mantle at $585 vs. Namath at $135.
Just my opinion, of course...but I'm interested to hear whether others think football and basketball are as undervalued as I do compared to baseball.
<< <i>Just my opinion, of course...but I'm interested to hear whether others think football and basketball are as undervalued as I do compared to baseball. >>
Throw Hockey into the mix and the above statement is VERY true...lots of room for HOFers to move in all three of those sports over time.
<< <i>Just my opinion, of course...but I'm interested to hear whether others think football and basketball are as undervalued as I do compared to baseball. >>
>>
I believe there will ALWAYS be more demand for baseball cards than other sports, and supply vs demand will determine the market value.
<< <i>I heard a guy say that we should all buy GEM MINT 1983 Gwynn rookies. Not graded by some arbitary 3rd party but just HIS opinion of what a perfect card looks like! If I understood him right he said they would be guaranteed good investments. Or maybe I misunderstood him!? >>
There will always be more supply than demand for a gwynn rookie....his rookies will never go up much...unfortunately this can be said of all the legends of the late 70s to early 90s.
<< <i>... Call me crazy, but I really do believe that there will br a resurgence in cards from the 80's. Due to the fact that many of the collectors were kids, like I was, and left the hobby during the 90's are starting to trickle back. ... >>
yes, crazy... 80s will never be worth what they once were, thanks to the internet and the ease of collecting the millions that were printed. I believe 80s high grade rookies (min 9 preferably 10s) of the hofers will continue to rise, buit just following inflation, no crazy surges will ever reoccur.
Tiffany's have peaked and fallen in high grade, and i do believe there is room for them to get back to where they once were in the gem grades.
I agree with you on individual Topps Tiffany cards, I was referring to factory sets that are still sealed, those will only go up. I agree with you that all of the over produce mass quantity material from the 80's will not be profitable. The value lies in the fringe sets that are not as prevalent in the market place. I wouldn't bet the farm on wax boxes of 87 topps or 86 donruss, however buying 85 topps mini's 88 topps cloth test set or sealed tiffany sets you'll do ok, you won't lose money.
Collector of Dale Murphy Collector of OPC 1980-1985
Certain people on here like to jump all over me whenever I post anything even remotely critical of grading companies, but I like to think I start my fair share of interesting and provocative threads as well!
I believe there will ALWAYS be more demand for baseball cards than other sports. >>
I wouldn't be too sure. Most of the people collecting vintage cards now were children in the 50s, 60s, 70s when baseball was the most watched sport. What about in 30 years when the people who are children now (when football is the most watched sport) will have money to spend?
I believe there will ALWAYS be more demand for baseball cards than other sports. >>
I wouldn't be too sure. Most of the people collecting vintage cards now were children in the 50s, 60s, 70s when baseball was the most watched sport. What about in 30 years when the people who are children now (when football is the most watched sport) will have money to spend?
John >>
Just my opinion. Even if football or basketball, or soccer is a more popular sport either now or in the future, i still believe that baseball card collecting will be more popular. I don't think there will ever be a card that will have more prominence than a T206 Wagner or a 52 Mantle. Gretzky and Jordan fans may differ...
There is just something about baseball card collecting that i dont believe will ever be replaced....of course it is just an opinion...
i almost bought an SCG 40 T206 Cobb (green background) for $1000. I think that would have been a good investment. I delayed tho. I would say, investment-wise, the best potential lies in truly Gem Mint stars from 1972 and back, gem to midgrade for pre-war, and any verifiably unopened product from 1972 and back. As the years go on, more and more people, especially from this board, are busting packs making them more scarce one by preciously rare one....... As far as modern goes, the proven stars have pretty much peaked and the only potential lies with a rookie prospect that has yet to bust out. My crystal ball is also in the shop. Just too much modern crap out there and i get a headache trying to figure out what set has whoever's best card and so forth.......
In agree wholeheartedly with Roarin84 with respect to pre-1973 unopened material gaining in value. And yes the key word is (legitimate) unopened paks. Every week the populations of psa vintage cards keeps going up (especially 1968 topps). As the pops keep going up the amount of legit vintage unopened material keeps going down. Without a doubt (legitimate) unopened material from 1971 and before is rare. There is still alot of '72 wax out there but it is slowly drying up. So I would agree with Roarin84 that unopened material from 1972 and before is becoming rarer everyday and will only go up in value with time. Seems like a much surer bet than what are (at this moment) low pop vintage commons.
"You tell 'em I'm coming...and hell's coming with me"--Wyatt Earp
Comments
<< <i>I don't have the slightest clue what the market will be in 15 to 20 years. All markets have their low points and high points and usually settle in somewhere in the middle. The trick of any market is selling high and buying low, and whoever ends up with the most marbles is usually very rich or their relatives have them committed to the mental ward and sell off all the stuff they collected and go on vacation to disneyland or go to Vegas and put it all on black and let the wheel roll. Opps gotta go I hear the men in white coats knocking at the door. >>
I agree with that 100%. That is why i am constantly changing my collection around, buying and selling. I typically never have more than 200 cards in my collection. When i feel a player is either going to sink, i sell, or if i feel they hit a high i sell. Of course you wont always get it right, but it makes the hobby a little more affordable than if you keep collecting stuff that gets old and no one wants anymore. I picked up a couple chase utley rookies just a couple months ago for about $40 a pop and sold for $150 each. They went as high as $260 recently, but i am happy i made over $200 in a month. Once Utley cools down, and his cards are more reasonable, i will probably pick up another for the pc. RIght now is a good time to pick up good deals on rare bonds cards if you even want one in your collection...i know i will want a few. Buy players with good potential who aren't at their peek, who aren't in the news, or have bad publicity....sell when the market is ripe with lots of great news. I know it's kind of hard to sell when the player is at their peak, but when you realize you can probably buy it back eventually for a lot less, it makes it easier...
Roy Oswalt rare rookies should be coming down after a couple more bad starts and would be a good deal. Roger's cards are at a low, if you want to add one to your collection..... Who else can you think of will be low now, but have good potential upturn....Andruw Jones, if you think he will ever get it together...still under 30 years old...he should be able to put up great numbers if he can ever get it together....right now his stuff is dirt cheap. Manny has always been low priced for the numbers he puts up.
<< <i>I dont know your age, but i am near 50, and will probably continue to collect for the next 20 years, and i suspect most people that are 40+ that currently collect will continue to collect until they are ready to retire, and maybe even then so. I also believe that there are tons of younger collectors (ever check ebay out)?, that will keep the business alive. >>
I thought you were alot younger. You have alot of great modern cards and a nice collection!
Two sets come to mind, 1) Topps Tiffany sets sealed - with the 86 Topps Traded may lose value, 2) OPC, mint and centered, graded or not. This is assuming your buying now off Ebay and paying an average price for these.
Collector of OPC 1980-1985
<< <i>Not sure if any of these will gain much value, but at least I don't think any of these will lose value. Due to the fact that collecting was so big in the 80's, and a lot of these collectors left, many will come back and more than likely collect the cards from their youth. Since the 80's was so over produced, many of these collectors will chase products from the 80's that is rarer.
Two sets come to mind, 1) Topps Tiffany sets sealed - with the 86 Topps Traded may lose value, 2) OPC, mint and centered, graded or not. This is assuming your buying now off Ebay and paying an average price for these. >>
I think tiffany's have great potential (but again, i would stick with rookies of the greats). They once were quite high, but for some reason the market fell out of the botom of them, and I believe they will rebound...shhh.... Rare minors, i believe will have potential upswing as well....too bad I dumped all my rare ones!
<< <i>
<< <i>I am in the same boat as Bigfische, I'm a young (20 y/o) vintage set collector. I also do not know anyone my age who collects at all seriously. I'm not sure who will be buying 50s and 60s cards in 30 years- I guess if Bigfische and I decide not to bid on the same auctions, maybe we will get everything for the opening bid!!
John >>
To be honest, i really feel that a much larger percentage of collectors of the younger generation are more into Autos, GU, and rookies. Check out topps and beckett message boards. Also check the trade boards. There is a lot of interest in card collecting, just not so many newbie set collectors. I believe it is kind of a dying breed. JMO. I think it is much more enticing and fulfilling to find more rare "cool" cards and rare rookies of the big names and the big prospects than set collecting of commons, especially if you enjoy the sport of baseball, rather than just card collecting.
here is a sample of what I like...i like it all, including vintage, autos, gu, rare rookies, etc....i find it fulfilling.
Note - there is a selection on vintage as well...
my collection >>
I do think a lot of the cards you post are very cool. I just am a set collector and that is that. I didnt decide to be one, its just what i find natural. I hope more people do switch to buying a few key cards, that will make my set collecting easier. And its not that i dont care about the value of my collection, its just that id rather get the commons dirt cheap and shell out for the stars and rookies of the year(s) i am collecting at the time.
I find it fulfilling to get the last card i need from a set, and i think it is rather appealing collecting someone i have only heard stories about.
http://sportsfansnews.com/author/andy-fischer/
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I am in the same boat as Bigfische, I'm a young (20 y/o) vintage set collector. I also do not know anyone my age who collects at all seriously. I'm not sure who will be buying 50s and 60s cards in 30 years- I guess if Bigfische and I decide not to bid on the same auctions, maybe we will get everything for the opening bid!!
John >>
To be honest, i really feel that a much larger percentage of collectors of the younger generation are more into Autos, GU, and rookies. Check out topps and beckett message boards. Also check the trade boards. There is a lot of interest in card collecting, just not so many newbie set collectors. I believe it is kind of a dying breed. JMO. I think it is much more enticing and fulfilling to find more rare "cool" cards and rare rookies of the big names and the big prospects than set collecting of commons, especially if you enjoy the sport of baseball, rather than just card collecting.
here is a sample of what I like...i like it all, including vintage, autos, gu, rare rookies, etc....i find it fulfilling.
Note - there is a selection on vintage as well...
my collection >>
I do think a lot of the cards you post are very cool. I just am a set collector and that is that. I didnt decide to be one, its just what i find natural. I hope more people do switch to buying a few key cards, that will make my set collecting easier. And its not that i dont care about the value of my collection, its just that id rather get the commons dirt cheap and shell out for the stars and rookies of the year(s) i am collecting at the time.
I find it fulfilling to get the last card i need from a set, and i think it is rather appealing collecting someone i have only heard stories about. >>
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I can't argue with that logic. I understand the addiction in wanting to complete a set. The main difference I see is that it is self-fulfilling, that only the collector really apreciates. Others will also congratulate a set collector in their efforts because they also understand and appreciate the addiction. I don't knock it. You will never find me knocking anyone for what they collect and enjoy. The topic was about what cards will go up in value, and I just personally dont see 60s-70s set collecting as prosperous. I am not suggesting that it is bad or anything wrong with it. As long as one enjoys what they are doing, and it is keeping them out of the bars and out of trouble, I say "WONDERFUL"!
I, also appreciate the set collecting concept, and have actually made a couple feeble attempts which i eventually gave up on, so I understand and appreciate the concept. Personally, I find it more enjoyable and more "challenging" to colect in the matter that I do. I, personally, find it more enjoyable collecting the stars and one of a kinds, and interesting cards, that few others have. I really enjoy the hobby of trying to find the "unique" and desirable, that I believe others will also enjoy.
Again, you will never find me knock another's hobby or what they collect, and on the contrary, you will be more likely find me sticking up for others than finding fault with others. The topic is definetely debateable, and more than likely, no one will really have the right answers.....until then.....HAPPY COLLECTING!
Just a for the record, i think the best vintage cards for appreciation would be the most classic and most desirable...
You can't go wrong with these:
T205/T206 Honus, Cobb, Matthewson, CY, Johnson
1934 Gehrig (year of his triple crown and his best looking card)
1948 Jackie
1952 Bowman Musial (one of the best looking vintage cards ever made IMHO)
1952 Mantle
1954 Aaron
1955 Clemente (centered)
1957 Frank Robinson (undervalued)
1963 Rose
1968 Bench & Nolan (volume of the 68 set will keep this low, but finding the perfectly centered ones will be worth the premium)
Most of these members collect vintage cards. They haven't reached their peak earning years, likely still have kids in grade school, and look forward to more disposable income in the next 20-30 years.
They collected cards when they were kids in the 70s and 80s, but they now collect cards all the way back to pre-war. Cards are a passionate hobby for them.
They didn't see Mantle play, but they sure know who he is.
I would guess then that vintage cards have a nice future as these collectors age.
The impact of "today's kids not collecting cards" won't be seen for many decades, until today's thirty-somethings reach their seventies or so.
Or maybe not.
"Molon Labe"
<< <i>Any study will also show that kids don't collect like they used to, so when they grow up and make money they won't care about buying the RCs (or any other cards) they wanted as a kid. The only (and I repeat ONLY) reason that the big cards of the late 70s and early 80s have held any kind of value is because the 25-40 age group wants them. When today's kids become adults, they won't go back and hunt for all the Pujols and Manning cards they wanted as a kid because they didn't want them as a kid. people who collect modern cards are adults with money who speculate (generally speaking). When they become tired of this era of cards, all but the big RCs will become almost completely worthless, and the big RCs will be worth around 20-40% of what they are now.
How many numbered 1/1 cards does Albert Pujols have? 200? 500? You think in 30 years that collectors will want to or even care to distinguish between the UD Black, Topps Chrome Green refractor, or Donruss Elite Platinum Pujols 1/1 card, or will they just lump everything in the same category like we now do with most of the mid-late 90s inserts from Fleer Ultra, Bowman's Best, Fleer Focus, etc........
No one knows for sure what the future will hold, but using history and human nature as indicators, you can guess with a reasonable amount of certainty what's going to happen with the last decade of cards 20-30 years from now, and it's not pretty. >>
That's the thing-- I don't think we can at all guess what will happen 20-30 years down the road. Think about it-- if, back in 1992, I would have told you that a 1984 Dwight Stephenson would sell for upwards of $2000 because it was in a plastic holder with a numerical grade assigned to it would you have ever believed me? If I would have told you that an EX 1952 Mantle would sell for $25,000 or so would I have sounded like anything but a total crackpot?
Nobody knows. In fact, nobody even has a CLUE. There is just no way to tell what the hobby will be like in 2025, because all predictions are based on the ridiculous assumption that most relevant factors will hold constant. And if there's one thing we CAN say with some certainty it's that these factors will not, in fact, be held constant, since they never have held for a span that long at any point in the history of the hobby.
It could be that we'll all be able to put together 1967 Topps sets in PSA 9 for $1700. Or, it could happen that Manning SP RC's end up selling for $18000 a pop. There's absolutely no way to tell.
The supporting argument for the notion that card collecting is doomed almost always involves the fact that kids don't collect the way they used to. Well, OK- I can buy that. But who would have EVER thought 20-30 years ago that the hobby would one day be dominated by adults? Again, it's a development that nobody could have possibly envisioned. In fact, virtually nothing about the hobby today could have been envisioned by a collector 20 years ago, just as nothing about the hobby in 1988 (the RC craze, etc) could have been predicted by a collector back in the late 1960's. So why would we think that anything about the hobby 20 years from now could possibly be predicted with a degree of certainty right now?
Collector of OPC 1980-1985
<< <i>I can't argue with that logic. I understand the addiction in wanting to complete a set. The main difference I see is that it is self-fulfilling, that only the collector really apreciates. Others will also congratulate a set collector in their efforts because they also understand and appreciate the addiction. I don't knock it. You will never find me knocking anyone for what they collect and enjoy. >>
You don't knock it... it must have been someone else who said this earlier in the thread then... "I would say the 15-30 year olds of today are far more educated in card collecting than most of the 40-60 year olds collecting today. They know better than to throw away their money on set collecting of commons, and to focus their attention on modern rare rookies and vintage high grade rookies of hofers."
Snorto~
<< <i>
<< <i>Any study will also show that kids don't collect like they used to, so when they grow up and make money they won't care about buying the RCs (or any other cards) they wanted as a kid. The only (and I repeat ONLY) reason that the big cards of the late 70s and early 80s have held any kind of value is because the 25-40 age group wants them. When today's kids become adults, they won't go back and hunt for all the Pujols and Manning cards they wanted as a kid because they didn't want them as a kid. people who collect modern cards are adults with money who speculate (generally speaking). When they become tired of this era of cards, all but the big RCs will become almost completely worthless, and the big RCs will be worth around 20-40% of what they are now.
How many numbered 1/1 cards does Albert Pujols have? 200? 500? You think in 30 years that collectors will want to or even care to distinguish between the UD Black, Topps Chrome Green refractor, or Donruss Elite Platinum Pujols 1/1 card, or will they just lump everything in the same category like we now do with most of the mid-late 90s inserts from Fleer Ultra, Bowman's Best, Fleer Focus, etc........
No one knows for sure what the future will hold, but using history and human nature as indicators, you can guess with a reasonable amount of certainty what's going to happen with the last decade of cards 20-30 years from now, and it's not pretty. >>
That's the thing-- I don't think we can at all guess what will happen 20-30 years down the road. Think about it-- if, back in 1992, I would have told you that a 1984 Dwight Stephenson would sell for upwards of $2000 because it was in a plastic holder with a numerical grade assigned to it would you have ever believed me? If I would have told you that an EX 1952 Mantle would sell for $25,000 or so would I have sounded like anything but a total crackpot?
Nobody knows. In fact, nobody even has a CLUE. There is just no way to tell what the hobby will be like in 2025, because all predictions are based on the ridiculous assumption that most relevant factors will hold constant. And if there's one thing we CAN say with some certainty it's that these factors will not, in fact, be held constant, since they never have held for a span that long at any point in the history of the hobby.
It could be that we'll all be able to put together 1967 Topps sets in PSA 9 for $1700. Or, it could happen that Manning SP RC's end up selling for $18000 a pop. There's absolutely no way to tell. >>
True, so true...but that takes the fun out of the debate (lol). Of course it is all speculation, and the author was seeking opinions and debate. If everyone knew, we would all be rich! Personally, i believe the US will be in deep economic trials, and only the rich will be able to throw away money on cardboard, and the cards of choice will be the highest grade rookies of the legends, just as always.
Perhaps a $100 investment in Ryan Leaf cards back in 2008, would then be worth over a million dollars in 2025. We would say in 2025, "Dam, I wish I woulda done that!"
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Any study will also show that kids don't collect like they used to, so when they grow up and make money they won't care about buying the RCs (or any other cards) they wanted as a kid. The only (and I repeat ONLY) reason that the big cards of the late 70s and early 80s have held any kind of value is because the 25-40 age group wants them. When today's kids become adults, they won't go back and hunt for all the Pujols and Manning cards they wanted as a kid because they didn't want them as a kid. people who collect modern cards are adults with money who speculate (generally speaking). When they become tired of this era of cards, all but the big RCs will become almost completely worthless, and the big RCs will be worth around 20-40% of what they are now.
How many numbered 1/1 cards does Albert Pujols have? 200? 500? You think in 30 years that collectors will want to or even care to distinguish between the UD Black, Topps Chrome Green refractor, or Donruss Elite Platinum Pujols 1/1 card, or will they just lump everything in the same category like we now do with most of the mid-late 90s inserts from Fleer Ultra, Bowman's Best, Fleer Focus, etc........
No one knows for sure what the future will hold, but using history and human nature as indicators, you can guess with a reasonable amount of certainty what's going to happen with the last decade of cards 20-30 years from now, and it's not pretty. >>
That's the thing-- I don't think we can at all guess what will happen 20-30 years down the road. Think about it-- if, back in 1992, I would have told you that a 1984 Dwight Stephenson would sell for upwards of $2000 because it was in a plastic holder with a numerical grade assigned to it would you have ever believed me? If I would have told you that an EX 1952 Mantle would sell for $25,000 or so would I have sounded like anything but a total crackpot?
Nobody knows. In fact, nobody even has a CLUE. There is just no way to tell what the hobby will be like in 2025, because all predictions are based on the ridiculous assumption that most relevant factors will hold constant. And if there's one thing we CAN say with some certainty it's that these factors will not, in fact, be held constant, since they never have held for a span that long at any point in the history of the hobby.
It could be that we'll all be able to put together 1967 Topps sets in PSA 9 for $1700. Or, it could happen that Manning SP RC's end up selling for $18000 a pop. There's absolutely no way to tell. >>
True, so true...but that takes the fun out of the debate (lol). Of course it is all speculation, and the author was seeking opinions and debate. If everyone knew, we would all be rich! Personally, i believe the US will be in deep economic trials, and only the rich will be able to throw away money on cardboard, and the cards of choice will be the highest grade rookies of the legends, just as always. >>
And Thomas Malthus-- a man who had more brain power than everyone on this board combined-- was dead sure that London would be buried under 60 feet of horse crap by the middle of the 19th century.
I know this is really just a barroom debate, but I really think it's important that intelligent people don't cave in to the temptation to try and predict future behavior based on present trends. It's almost always wrong, and when these predictions do come to pass it can almost always be chalked up to a function of chance.
<< <i>
<< <i>I can't argue with that logic. I understand the addiction in wanting to complete a set. The main difference I see is that it is self-fulfilling, that only the collector really apreciates. Others will also congratulate a set collector in their efforts because they also understand and appreciate the addiction. I don't knock it. You will never find me knocking anyone for what they collect and enjoy. >>
You don't knock it... it must have been someone else who said this earlier in the thread then... "I would say the 15-30 year olds of today are far more educated in card collecting than most of the 40-60 year olds collecting today. They know better than to throw away their money on set collecting of commons, and to focus their attention on modern rare rookies and vintage high grade rookies of hofers."
Snorto~ >>
You got me....my personal opinion must have slipped by me(LOL). Seriously, I don't believe it is prosperous, but if you enjoy it, go for it. The topic, after all, was what cards do you think will appreciate over 20+ years. It is my opinion that collecting rare rookie autos of future hofers will be a better investment than collecting commons. It is an opinion that could be wrong, but it is my opinoin none the less. I never said anything was wrong with collecting commons. My wife gardens. She spends a few hundred dollars every season to grow vegetables that would probably cost half the price to buy them in the grocery store. It's a hobby. I will say it again, if you enjoy it, go for it!
Steve
<< <i>What will(may be) the hot collectable may not even be invented yet.
Steve >>
as long as the dimensions are the same....i hate odd sized cards (LOL)
Call me crazy, but I really do believe that there will br a resurgence in cards from the 80's. Due to the fact that many of the collectors were kids, like I was, and left the hobby during the 90's are starting to trickle back. Many of us have children and will want to share the same experience with them. For less than 20 bucks, one can still get a wax box from that era shipped to your house. Bust cheap wax is not a profit maker by no means.
However, as these individuals return to the hobby, many will focus on collecting cards from their own childhood era. That being said, I still believe that one could invest (so to speak) in certain areas of cards from the 80's.
Holding on to some 1983 Michigan test wax boxes would not be a losing proposition.
Repeating a little here, any topps tiffany set that is still factory sealed will only rise in value, except for the 86 topp traded, it may have peaked.
1984 nestle set, which is ungradeable, is a nice looking set, as well as the 1980 burger kings, and 1981 coca-cola sets made to look like topps. I know the 84 Nestle was isssued only in uncut sheets, therefore not gradable, but why not a hand cut qualifer just like on certain food issues?
High grade OPC, 10 or 9's, will do well in the future, in my opinion. 1980 OPC seems be rarer than any of the other years. Don't know why but it just does.
The one item I do believe that will not hold its current value will be low pop 10's from mass issued sets in the 80's. Simply because 10 years from now they probably will not be low pop, the will just be 1 of 34 or somethinhg like that. On the flipside, I believe that the set registry will continue to go strong and will only attract new collectors.
1985 Leaf in a high grade will only rise in value. Produced in much lower quantity and very sensitive black borders. It is one of the few sets in wnich a low pop 10 may actually stay a low pop 10. Not exactly millions of factory sealed cases of these setting in attics, unlike 85 Topps, Fleer, and Donruss
Early 80's rack pack cases sealed from the factory will rise in value. I love rack pack due to the fact the cards seem to come from these a little crisper and cleaner and seem to grade better than cards from a wax bust. The factory seal will be very important for max value.
And a true rarity, I've only seen one and it was on ebay, is a 1982 topps factory set. Not sure if they have a factory seal but if they do, you would not lose money on this item over the course of years.
As far as cards from 1994 +, I have no idea. From the prices I've seen on Ebay, there has to be a thriving market at this time and who am I to try to predict it but here I go. In my opinion, only about 5% of the cards from this era will retain there current value. If one could have the foresight to predict what t
Collector of OPC 1980-1985
Collector of OPC 1980-1985
Glad I was able to start a nice (and civil) discussion!
Personally, I think the most undervalued items out there are early basketball and early football. Seventies basketball is colder than ice even though the sets are full of superstars, very condition sensitive, and full of well-know HOFers. Down the road I think the colorful 71-72 and 72-73 sets will become very popular and eventually come to rival the 1954/1955/1956 Topps Baseball sets in popularity, and the 69-70 tallboy set with the Alcindor, Bradley, Havlicek, Reed, and Frazier RC's will also become very popular as well.
However, if I had to invest in one set for the next twenty years, it would be a well-centered 1961 Fleer Basketball set. Gorgeous eye appeal, impossible to find well centered, 37 HOFers out of 66 cards (is there any other regular issue set out there that's 56% HOFers), and several key RC's (Chamberlain, West, Robertson, Baylor). This set is IMHO, on its way to becoming the "holy grail" of basketball, and eventually I think it will become just as popular and proportionately valuable as 1952 Topps is for baseball. Look at some of the prices in PSA 8....Chamberlain RC ($1500), Robertson RC ($900), West RC ($850), Baylor RC ($625), Russell ($750), Cousy ($400)....all very inexpensive compared to baseball RC's considering their condition scarcity.
I think 1964-1972 football is also very undervalued and will eventually gain in popularity, especially the drop-dead gorgeous 1964 Philadelphia set. The 1957 Topps FB set will also eventually rise in prominence to rival 1952 Topps Baseball because of the Unitas, Starr, and Hornung RC's as well as its gorgeous design.
If you want an idea of how the sports compare, look at a cross-sport comparison of PSA 8 stars & rookies from 1969, the first year in which there were Topps sets in all three sports:
Chamberlain - $350 (#1 in set) - pop 62
Havlicek RC - $375 - pop 119
Alcindor RC - $950 - pop 109
Bradley RC - $175 - pop 116
Robertson - $110 - pop 76
Reed RC - $90 - pop 105
West - $185 - pop 95
Frazier RC - $165 - pop 81
Dawson - $25 - pop 122
Unitas - $95 - pop 331
Sayers - $110 - pop 170
Namath - $135 - pop 343
Csonka RC - $135 - pop 289
Butkus - $100 - pop 70
Tarkenton - $65 - pop 66
Griese - $70 - pop 103
Starr - $90 - pop 100
Blanda - $55 - pop 76
VS
Clemente - $160 - pop 415
Bench - $130 - pop 322
Aaron - $180 - pop 261
Rose - $110 - pop 391
Yaz - $225 - pop 129
Mays - $175 - pop 237
Reggie RC - $525 - pop 337
Seaver - $150 - pop 193
Mantle - $585 - pop 303
Ryan - $425 - pop 503
In most cases, basketball and football superstars are about 1/3 to 1/2 the price of their baseball counterparts even though they generally have lower populations. If you want to compare NY superstars, look at Mantle at $585 vs. Namath at $135.
Just my opinion, of course...but I'm interested to hear whether others think football and basketball are as undervalued as I do compared to baseball.
<< <i>Just my opinion, of course...but I'm interested to hear whether others think football and basketball are as undervalued as I do compared to baseball. >>
Throw Hockey into the mix and the above statement is VERY true...lots of room for HOFers to move in all three of those sports over time.
mathew
drugs of choice
NHL hall of fame rookies
<< <i>
<< <i>Just my opinion, of course...but I'm interested to hear whether others think football and basketball are as undervalued as I do compared to baseball. >>
>>
I believe there will ALWAYS be more demand for baseball cards than other sports, and supply vs demand will determine the market value.
<< <i>I heard a guy say that we should all buy GEM MINT 1983 Gwynn rookies. Not graded by some arbitary 3rd party but just HIS opinion of what a perfect card looks like! If I understood him right he said they would be guaranteed good investments. Or maybe I misunderstood him!? >>
There will always be more supply than demand for a gwynn rookie....his rookies will never go up much...unfortunately this can be said of all the legends of the late 70s to early 90s.
<< <i>Not sure if this was said, but mid grade T206s, from PSA 3 to 6 will keep going up in value. >>
As long as baseball cards are alive and the economy is well, all prewar should do well over time, especially with higher grade hofers.
<< <i>...
Call me crazy, but I really do believe that there will br a resurgence in cards from the 80's. Due to the fact that many of the collectors were kids, like I was, and left the hobby during the 90's are starting to trickle back. ... >>
yes, crazy...
80s will never be worth what they once were, thanks to the internet and the ease of collecting the millions that were printed.
I believe 80s high grade rookies (min 9 preferably 10s) of the hofers will continue to rise, buit just following inflation, no crazy surges will ever reoccur.
Tiffany's have peaked and fallen in high grade, and i do believe there is room for them to get back to where they once were in the gem grades.
Collector of OPC 1980-1985
What Cards/Set Will Gain/Lose Value in 20 Years?
Have a good one
Joe
My eBay Auctions
Certain people on here like to jump all over me whenever I post anything even remotely critical of grading companies, but I like to think I start my fair share of interesting and provocative threads as well!
Joe Knows Cards
My eBay Auctions
<< <i>
I believe there will ALWAYS be more demand for baseball cards than other sports. >>
I wouldn't be too sure. Most of the people collecting vintage cards now were children in the 50s, 60s, 70s when baseball was the most watched sport. What about in 30 years when the people who are children now (when football is the most watched sport) will have money to spend?
John
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
<< <i>
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I believe there will ALWAYS be more demand for baseball cards than other sports. >>
I wouldn't be too sure. Most of the people collecting vintage cards now were children in the 50s, 60s, 70s when baseball was the most watched sport. What about in 30 years when the people who are children now (when football is the most watched sport) will have money to spend?
John >>
Just my opinion. Even if football or basketball, or soccer is a more popular sport either now or in the future, i still believe that baseball card collecting will be more popular. I don't think there will ever be a card that will have more prominence than a T206 Wagner or a 52 Mantle. Gretzky and Jordan fans may differ...
There is just something about baseball card collecting that i dont believe will ever be replaced....of course it is just an opinion...