The Downfall of Card Collecting

jimmyg · February 21, 2011 10:58AM

I realize my post count is low, but I've been reading these boards for quite some time. I had another ID before this one, but lost access to that email account. I think that ID had about eight posts over the four years previous to me getting this ID. While I'm not an active member, I do read these boards almost daily. And I'd like to throw out a hypothesis which I don't think has been discussed:

Most would agree that card collecting had its heyday from about 1985 to about 1992. Various members have offered various reasons for said downfall which basically fall into two categories: too much supply, too little demand (with its offshoot that kids aren't interested in card collecting and companies have priced themselves out of the market).

As I stated in this post: http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=11&threadid=799963&highlight_key=y , I've been going through my childhood collection these past couple of months.

And I'm pretty sure that I found the real reason for the downfall: Donruss changed it's 'Rated Rookie' logo. From 1985-1992, they kept it the same. Two Danny Tartabulls, a Jose Canseco, a Jose Lind, Maddux, and Griffey all had that beautiful logo.

Going through my Donruss cards, I don't care if it was a Calvin Shiraldi or a Palmeiro. Nothing made my heart skip, then, when they were new, or now, as the beautiful deep blue logo with fast looking letters. I realize that 85% of the players were busts. But when I go down to see my nephews or when the neighbor kids stop by and I give them cards, I'm not about to part with my '89 Cameron Drews. Even if I have 89 of them.

I plan on busting cards from those years... just to catch my breath every other pack or so... as I peel away a card and find a Mackey Sasser staring back at me. As long as it has that blue logo and reminds me of my (our) glory years.

Thoughts?

Hallco · February 21, 2011 11:00AM

yankeeno7 · February 21, 2011 11:03AM

Card market has changed, no downfall. People dont give a crap about base cards or base sets for the most part unless it's Heritage or A&G. I dont see set builders anymore so there is little excitement in things like Rated Rookies". The market has given in, for the most part, to inserts. Numbered cards, jersey cards, bat cards, autographed cards, and a whole gambit of those things mixed. People rip boxes as a form of gambling, hoping for the big hit. I see guys busting boxes, keeping only the good inserts and giving away the rest of the box.

It's just a whole different ball game.

MrVintage · February 21, 2011 11:05AM

Sorry bud, but those don't even compare to the topps "all star rookie" cards.

OAKESY25 · February 21, 2011 11:16AM

couldn't agree more.. I feel like I wrote this.. I have some very valuable cards.. but busting 80's wax and seeing those sought after rookie cards
looking back.. even though they flopped and are worthless is still a super thrill

MantleMarisFordBerra · February 21, 2011 11:22AM

<< Sorry bud, but those don't even compare to the topps "all star rookie" cards.

>>

You ain't kiddin' my man. I was a Topps kid for better or worse, therefore the "little gold cup" as my friends and I called it ruled the roost. Here's one of my faves now:

steelersyankees · February 21, 2011 11:32AM

<< And I'm pretty sure that I found the real reason for the downfall: Donruss changed it's 'Rated Rookie' logo >>

stevek · February 21, 2011 11:46AM

<<< The Downfall of Card Collecting >>>

As long as baseball is popular, then baseball card collecting in some way, shape or form will be popular.

itzagoner · February 21, 2011 11:56AM

well of course with the proliferation of advance touting for players who've barely learned how to shave, we should feel excited about the possibility of Rated Embryo cards.

ThoseBackPages · February 21, 2011 12:19PM

AMEN!

Toro · February 21, 2011 12:21PM

I'm caught downsizing my collection at this point. Looking at what I have to pay for my PC,autographed long term investments AND new modern issues, I simply can't afford it anymore.The last couple months I've been buying up Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson and other cards I couldnt when I was younger. It's sweet buying a PSA 8 Rickey Henderson that once sold for $120 raw way back when. However, right now, I'm trying to figure out if 3K for four boxes of modern stuff is worth it. Maybe 20 years from now, kids will experience the same sentiment with autograph jersey cards.

KeepItWarm · February 21, 2011 6:44PM

jimmyg = funny . Love reading your threads.

Garabaldi · February 21, 2011 8:40PM

The late 80's and early 90's really put a hurt'n on the card collecting.

PowderedH2O · February 22, 2011 2:24AM

I don't set build anymore because of 2003. In 2003, I spent over $300 putting together a base Topps baseball set. Yes, I got gobs of inserts. But I don't collect inserts. Then just as I finished, Target had my base set for sale in a nice box for $49.99. So, I never wasted any more time building new sets. It does ruin something for me. I collected sets in the 70's and 80's and NOTHING was a bigger rush than getting that last card to complete a big set. But, I do still like Topps baseball sets. And no, no A & G.

metsfan · February 22, 2011 8:15AM

It's interesting that you mention Cameron Drew, he was a can't miss prospect with the Astros and was playing real well in the minors, when he busted his knee, and that was that. I bought 100 myself for .25 each, things happen.

Stone193 · February 22, 2011 8:37AM

I would attribute it to a change in the thermodynamic coefficient of expansion and contraction of the bubble gum.

Downtown1974 · February 22, 2011 8:55AM

<< I would attribute it to a change in the thermodynamic coefficient of expansion and contraction of the bubble gum. >>

Yes...what Mike said.

HoofHearted · February 22, 2011 11:05AM

<< I would attribute it to a change in the thermodynamic coefficient of expansion and contraction of the bubble gum. >>

Mike's new nickname = "The Ol'Perfessor"!!

stown · February 22, 2011 11:10AM

<< I'm not about to part with my '89 Cameron Drews. >>

The next big thing ended up being a big waste of money.

stormsurge · February 22, 2011 11:25AM

<< I would attribute it to a change in the thermodynamic coefficient of expansion and contraction of the bubble gum. >>

^^What he said

jimmyg · February 22, 2011 11:32AM

"The next big thing ended up being a big waste of money."

Cameron Drew and Gregg Jefferies and Matt Nokes were wastes of money kind of like the bicycle that I learned to ride without training wheels and the first baseball glove I had that I learned to stick my index finger out of: their resale value is nil, but the joy I received from them is immeasurable. Unfortunately, I have neither the bike nor the glove. I sure am glad that I still have the cards.

Garabaldi · February 22, 2011 3:09PM

Corey Snyder and Ruben Sierra got me.

Stone193 · February 23, 2011 3:46AM

Anyone who got caught up in the "surge" of the early 90s knows what a "BRICK" is....

and would be lying if they didn't have a few or more hiding in the closet of the "next" Mantle, Mays, Koufax...

Enough said.

scooter729 · February 23, 2011 3:58AM

<< Anyone who got caught up in the "surge" of the early 90s knows what a "BRICK" is....

and would be lying if they didn't have a few or more hiding in the closet of the "next" Mantle, Mays, Koufax...

Enough said. >>

Anyone need 300 Pat Dodson rookie cards cheap? He will be a Future Star, according to Topps!

And why do I still have these taking up space in my basement??

larryallen73 · February 23, 2011 4:26AM

Nice to have you post! I feel like welcoming you aboard like a newbie!

Post more often. We need more people around here!

RonBurgundy · February 23, 2011 4:29AM

Tracy Jones!

RipublicaninMass · February 23, 2011 4:44AM

I'm trying to figure out if 3K for four boxes of modern stuff is worth it.

IMO Hell's no! Unless you like gambling and cool with a loss

The Downfall of Card Collecting

Comments