The Bird/Magic RC Appreciation Thread
MattyC
Posts: 1,335 ✭✭
It's been said by so many of us in so many disparate threads over the years: that this card is so deeply slept on, underrated, undervalued, etc.
So perhaps it's time to shine a singular light on it-- because it seems that aside from the passing of the two pictured HOF icons on the card, only fervid, infectious discussion can possibly help this card get its due props.
First off, there is the mind-blowing fact that it is the clear-cut RC of two towering legends. No traded cards or XRCs stealing this card's thunder. No debate as to what the real RC is-- of either player. Just Bird and Magic's RC-- the SAME card.
Then, let's consider how routinely messed up this card is found right out of the pack. OC. Tilted. That infamous "black line" on the bottom right edge by the Magic panel. The "smudge" that so often plagues the Magic panel.
Another incredibly unique aspect of this card is how its fans prefer the panels themselves to be centered, with respect to the spacing of the perforations. This is a detail that can make one card immensely more attractive and valuable than another in the same grade. I liken this facet of the card to how Gretzky RC aficionados love the tear drop in the Oilers logo to be "centered."
This card is not commonly found for sale in PSA 9, let alone 10. We know that at least one 10 recently sold on ebay-- like so many 10s of so many cards-- falls somewhat short of many collectors' vision of perfect. (I personally have no problem going after an expensive 10, when I think the card is worthy of the 10 grade. But two 10s I've seen thus far of this card didn't justify the huge price jump, to me, over the best 9s.) My point is that it is a tough card to locate. It took me a couple years to find the strongest 9. Take all these factors together and you have a very important card.
It was given a place in the Top 250 Sportscards book, which is by no means The Bible but indicates it does have stature.
Neither Bird nor Magic has any image or likability issues, like other great sportsmen whose RCs seem surprisingly affordable, based on their achievements: Rickey Henderson, Steve Carlton, Eddie Murray, to name a few.
And lastly, let's acknowledge the fact that the third of the three players depicted on the card is not Jon Hilton, Ron Tompkins, Dave McDonald, Pedro Gonzalez, Mickey Klutts, or Jeff Schneider.
It is Dr. J. Another huge HOFer.
Another recent thread asked about strategies for investing 50K in sportscards. I guess I am only being mildly facetious by saying it might make good sense to take that 50K and buy all the PSA 9 Bird/Magic RCs you can. There are 444 PSA 9s and 18 PSA 10s to date. The former seems like not nearly enough to satisfy all the collectors who would want one, especially at around $1200 each. It might not be such a bad bet to think this card will command $2000 in a few years, which would be a pretty nice profit per card, and thus overall.
As to the tens... POP 18 seems high for a PSA 10-- but where are they? I think we can also safely bet that a few of these would not pass muster with the discriminating eyes on these boards.
Bottom line, this is an awesome card. And while $1200 or so for a PSA 9 is not chump change, I'm surprised it doesn't command more. This is up there for me with the Mantle RC, Jordan Star RC, and Yogi Berra RC (of course among many others) in terms of it selling for less than one would expect. It depicts multiple beloved icons, is their undisputed first licensed card, and is not at all easy to find with great eye appeal. Hope to have a scan up soon.
So perhaps it's time to shine a singular light on it-- because it seems that aside from the passing of the two pictured HOF icons on the card, only fervid, infectious discussion can possibly help this card get its due props.
First off, there is the mind-blowing fact that it is the clear-cut RC of two towering legends. No traded cards or XRCs stealing this card's thunder. No debate as to what the real RC is-- of either player. Just Bird and Magic's RC-- the SAME card.
Then, let's consider how routinely messed up this card is found right out of the pack. OC. Tilted. That infamous "black line" on the bottom right edge by the Magic panel. The "smudge" that so often plagues the Magic panel.
Another incredibly unique aspect of this card is how its fans prefer the panels themselves to be centered, with respect to the spacing of the perforations. This is a detail that can make one card immensely more attractive and valuable than another in the same grade. I liken this facet of the card to how Gretzky RC aficionados love the tear drop in the Oilers logo to be "centered."
This card is not commonly found for sale in PSA 9, let alone 10. We know that at least one 10 recently sold on ebay-- like so many 10s of so many cards-- falls somewhat short of many collectors' vision of perfect. (I personally have no problem going after an expensive 10, when I think the card is worthy of the 10 grade. But two 10s I've seen thus far of this card didn't justify the huge price jump, to me, over the best 9s.) My point is that it is a tough card to locate. It took me a couple years to find the strongest 9. Take all these factors together and you have a very important card.
It was given a place in the Top 250 Sportscards book, which is by no means The Bible but indicates it does have stature.
Neither Bird nor Magic has any image or likability issues, like other great sportsmen whose RCs seem surprisingly affordable, based on their achievements: Rickey Henderson, Steve Carlton, Eddie Murray, to name a few.
And lastly, let's acknowledge the fact that the third of the three players depicted on the card is not Jon Hilton, Ron Tompkins, Dave McDonald, Pedro Gonzalez, Mickey Klutts, or Jeff Schneider.
It is Dr. J. Another huge HOFer.
Another recent thread asked about strategies for investing 50K in sportscards. I guess I am only being mildly facetious by saying it might make good sense to take that 50K and buy all the PSA 9 Bird/Magic RCs you can. There are 444 PSA 9s and 18 PSA 10s to date. The former seems like not nearly enough to satisfy all the collectors who would want one, especially at around $1200 each. It might not be such a bad bet to think this card will command $2000 in a few years, which would be a pretty nice profit per card, and thus overall.
As to the tens... POP 18 seems high for a PSA 10-- but where are they? I think we can also safely bet that a few of these would not pass muster with the discriminating eyes on these boards.
Bottom line, this is an awesome card. And while $1200 or so for a PSA 9 is not chump change, I'm surprised it doesn't command more. This is up there for me with the Mantle RC, Jordan Star RC, and Yogi Berra RC (of course among many others) in terms of it selling for less than one would expect. It depicts multiple beloved icons, is their undisputed first licensed card, and is not at all easy to find with great eye appeal. Hope to have a scan up soon.
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Comments
Not mine, but thought I'd post one for ya Matty!
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Many collectors are satisfied with an 8 because of the subjectivity of grading...how many 8's are there?
Many collectors are satisfied with just having one that looks nice enough to them ungraded...how many of them are there?
In other words, it is not a rare or scarce card by any means.
If you didn't buy most of your basketball cards pre 1988/89 ish, then you already missed the bus. The ship has sailed. I was buying those bird/magic's for $1 apiece back in the day, as well as all the other basketball one wanted even into 1988/89 for cheap prices. When the 88/89 wax came out, people still didn't catch the full bug yet, but it was literally right around the corner.
$25 dollars for 1980/81 unopened wax boxes. $25 for the second series of 1984-1985 Star Company team sets...which included the Bulls and Jordan of course.
The bird/magic was selling raw for $300+ easily in the early 90's...that was the heyday, before grading them was occurring. Centering didn't even matter much as people still bought them. Most would probably have been a 6 or 7...of course being sold as mint, lol! Of course, some few buyers probably did buy some mint ones and made out later on when grading hit big!
The other 90% of people who bought them for $300 and still have them, lost...as most of those would range from being graded 6-8.
As long as a scattered few are willing to pay insane prices for cards graded a 10, you may still catch an uptick short term with the card.
I guess if somebody were so attempt to grade it, it would automatically be labeled a miscut or PSA Authentic?
Would there ever be a demand in just having the Bird card in it's own slab?
Here's my two beauties
I think the knee jerk comparison is always the 86F Jordan and I just think the Bird/Magic is much much better value in comparison...then again I've been saying that for a long time and it's not really going up while the Jordan continues to appreciate. Obviously, it' all about supply and demand and there is simply more demand for the Jordan. I just don't really understand why.
TheClockworkAngelCollection
Two of the best players ever.
However the card design is butt ugly. Easily Topps worst effort ever.
I've never liked the cheesy small panel 3-card design.
That issue is a pain to sort too. The 80-81 Topps issue is a company producing
a set at it's lowest point of creativity and thoughtful design. Topps gave it one more try in 1981, again
no interest from collectors, and then didn't make basketball cards for the next ten years because nobody collected the stuff.
You couldn't give away those cards for about 10 years until around 1990, when the interest in
the new '89-90 Hoops issue with the David Robinson RC and the '86 Fleer issue became all the rage.
You could buy that 1980-81 set for $10 all day long for 10 years! I wish I did buy
a bunch back then, as I'd gladly be selling them today and making a fortune.
A dealer locally had over 100 sets available in his card shop for years..... all at $8.95... no takers.
<< <i>Since this card was intended to be preforated by Topps, would PSA ever grade the invidual preforated card alone?
I guess if somebody were so attempt to grade it, it would automatically be labeled a miscut or PSA Authentic?
Would there ever be a demand in just having the Bird card in it's own slab? >>
Doesn't each panel have its own number? I have to admit i would like to see individual cards graded, i perforated mine as a kid, so yes i have a selfish motive. I still have the perforated panel in my possesion today. ")