What will the movie "42" do to value of Jackie Robinson cards?

jasoneggert

I am so excited for the movie "42" to come out next April. I am kind of torn though. I think it will increase the value of Robinson cards, which is great for me, because I have quite the collection of Robinson. However, it will make it more expensive for me to keep collecting his cards. I think, right now may be the best time to pick up high end vintage Robinson cards.

What do you think? Will the movie raise the value of his cards?

-Jason

Trailer for the movie "42"

ThoseBackPages

anything going up is a good thing

mygotta

If you look at Avengers issue #1, it is now one of the hotter comics out there due to the popularity of the film. Yet, a film like Elektra or Daredevil, both poorly conceived films, did nothing in making their comics more valuable. I think some variables will take place. If the film sucks, then it probably wont do much to the value of his cards. If the film is very good, raises interest in Jackie Robinsons as both player and person, breaking the color barrier in baseball, and in general what he did for baseball, then yes, I could see his cards going up in value.

A film like Pride of the Yankees has honored Lou Gehrig as a real person who is both humble and likable and seen as someone people can relate to which has given Gehrig the perpetual respect as both a baseball player and a human. So it would seem to reflect that his cards are always cherished. Robinson, while I think most people know of his achievements, perhaps he less known as a person. I think a movie on Clemente would be a better film, personally (provided it is done well). Less is known about him and he died a tragic death as Gehrig did. Robinson lived out his life fully, so I am not sure it would have the same impact on people or collectors.

The movie Cobb showed Ty generally as a jerk. But most people knew this. But it was not very appealing to see. But despite this, most people knew him to be a jerk, yet at the same time no one wants to see a movie about a jerk who happens to be one of the greatest players ever. His cards merit on his baseball abilities probably more than his personality. No film has been done on Ruth, perhaps for similar reasons. Some players live better mythically than in reality.

jasoneggert

<< <i> Robinson lived out his life fully, so I am not sure it would have the same impact on people or collectors.. >>



I agree with most everything you said, however Robinson did not live his life out fully, it was cut very short by complications of heart disease and diabetes which weakened Robinson and made him almost blind by middle age, he died at the age of 53. Hardly a full life.

-Jason

scashaggy

John Goodman played 'The Babe'.

Foo3112

The Babe starring John Goodman (1992)

mygotta

<< <i>

<< <i> Robinson lived out his life fully, so I am not sure it would have the same impact on people or collectors.. >>



I agree with most everything you said, however Robinson did not live his life out fully, it was cut very short by complications of heart disease and diabetes which weakened Robinson and made him almost blind by middle age, he died at the age of 53. Hardly a full life.

-Jason >>



Yeah, I'll give you that. I was trying to emphasize the difference of how he died versus Gerhig or Clemente which one would call "untimely". While Robinson's was more of a natural death, even if on the younger side.

As far as Ruth, I forgot about that movie as I think most movie goers did as well.

NickM

William Bendix also played Babe Ruth in "The Babe Ruth Story," which made "Babe" look like an Academy Award winner.

IMO the Robinson film will have little impact on his card values beyond an upward blip around the film's release. Robinson's card prices have already taken into account the fact that he's an American hero with high name ID among people who don't follow baseball.

A movie about someone who wasn't already at that sort of status (Larry Doby, for example) could have a lasting impact on card values.

Nick

jeff8877

This thread needs some pics...to answer the original question, the exposure can only help increase demand and thus prices.

Jeff

jrboles

Any intel on what Jimmy Stewart's portrayal did for Monty Stratton cards?

I gotta feeling after the movie "42" Dixie Walker cards are going to take a dive.

NickM

There are 5 Monty Stratton career-contemporary cards listed in Beckett. All of them are from oddball issues (1 is a blanket/pennant). The only completed listing of any of them on ebay is for one of the pennant - and completed listings from that set are odd, to say the least (most commons sold for more than a HOFer did).

Nick

gemint

I don't think there was much of a bump for Mantle/Maris cards after 61* came out. Maybe there was a temorary spike. I think the impact will be temporary and probably minimal. I think films can do more for less known players like Brian Piccolo who would probably be a common card if not for the movie.

Then there's the reverse affect where a relatively unknown actor can become famous by playing a famous baseball player. Look what playing Grover Cleveland Alexander did for Ronald Reagan's career.

TonyC

Vince Papale was a virtual unknown before Disney made the "Invincible" movie.

As has been discussed above, there are many factors that play into it. However, I tend to agree with the argument that Jackie Robinson's cards have little conceivable room to appreciate short term from where they are now.

Stadium1978

Movie looks great so far.

I whipped up some Facebook covers using screenshots from the trailer.

AUPT

I'd guess any upward movement would be a temporary blip in demand for his most common career-contemporary cards, probably in "collector" conditions.

matthewbschultz83

Based on the Trailer....

I'm going to say this movie is going to absolutely suck. Especially the scene where Jackie hits a Home Run and stares down the pitcher and throws his bat a la Barry Bonds. Because that happened in 1947...a long with the Jay Z rapping. Already out on this movie.

mygotta

<< <i>Based on the Trailer....

I'm going to say this movie is going to absolutely suck. Especially the scene where Jackie hits a Home Run and stares down the pitcher and throws his bat a la Barry Bonds. Because that happened in 1947...a long with the Jay Z rapping. Already out on this movie. >>



Ugh....really? That would really ruin the "American" aspect of it. I think for the film to do anything for the cards, it needs to be as humble as apple pie. Further, it also needs to transcend what we know about Robinson already and essentially erase history and replace it with our idea of him in this film, to affect the prices of the cards. I go back to Pride of the Yankees. Perhaps Gehrig was a womanizer and a drinker. Even if that was true, most peoples history relies on the film as their understanding of him. What I am saying is there needs to be mythologizing of these guys as All-American Heroes, not just baseball players. Ken Burns documentary, as good as it was, I dont think did much for the card industry.

I think generally, any player that a movie is made of these days will have little impact on cards unless little is known about them and the film brings something to the table that is identificable to the American public, and makes us want to get their cards. We think globally these days which is hard to get back at those roots to show baseball cards as something uniquely American. That is how I see it.