Question about values of classics during the bust

WestySteve

Hey guys,

Never posted here, though I have posted lots in the coin and currency groups. I have a question I am trying to research. When the card market collapsed in the late 80's/early 90's, what happened to the prices of the classic cards from the 50's. Did they backslide, or hold their value? Did the keys keep advancing? I've scoured the internet looking for a graph, chart, or even just a discussion of this, but the topic is buried under megs of text about the collapse of contemporary cards of the era. Anyone remember what the old cards did during the collapse. Know where I can view a good graph?

Thanks,

Steve

vols1

I'd say the late 80's was the height of the market. But after the internet came along, cards in average condition went down while mint condition graded examples have risen. It all depends on condition.

WestySteve

Thanks for the reply. Interesting. Bear in mind I've been researching this stuff hard, including what's-what in the card market without coming up with any info at all.

So from what you remember, what's your best guess on how much those classic 50's cards backslid depending on condition.

So like if you had an average condition '52 Topps card, how much do you think it backslid? Like 10%?
And if you had a really nice, minty, '52 Topps card, did it actually gain value as the cheap modern card market imploded?

(There isn't a wrong answer here, because if you asked me about the coin market in the mid-1980's, I'd give you a guess that might be inaccurate...but any impression at all is better than no info)

Steve

CDsNuts

The market decline started around 1994 and lasted through the early 2000s. The decline was coming regardless because the manufacturers over-flooded the market for 7 years, but the baseball strike exacerbated it. Key cards from the 60s and earlier pretty much held their value, everything else tanked.

TheMick6

I don't think the decline years hurt mid grade vintage as much as the popularity of PSA, SGC etc did. During the boom years Id see tables and tables of overpriced raw 50's and 60's stuff that would be priced for near 75% (most cases) less if graded. This is why my first question to dealers will raw stuff is always " why wouldn't you grade this". A lot of them get irritated with me but really why wouldn't you grade a really nice 53 Robinson with that tough black border #1 card in set etc????? I can't help but wonder if it would come back marked, trimmed etc.... Who wouldn't?? I think grading turned a whole lot of dealers inventory after the boom years to mid grade set fillers.