vintage baseball card collecting
antonio
Posts: 21
new to collecting vintage baseball cards pre 1975 , have concerns as don't have much discretionary income with family and kids to support. if value of cards will not suffer in the future then looking to hold cards for 20-30years and then sell off or give to kids that may very well have no interest in cards. am interested in collecting average grade cards of five with cards comprising of hall of famers from multiple years . am interested in goudeys,t206, and topps . should I collect only graded cards or are ungraded cards from a respectable dealer acceptable . I have spent over 5k already and having some concerns about having financial capability to sustain this hobby . love the idea of collecting but have to have investing into the equation. am looking for advise mentoring not sure if should continue in this market ?
antonio blanco
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For example, I am collecting every Milwaukee Braves team set primarily aiming at 6s from 1953-1956, and 7-8 in 1957-1965. That way I can enjoy the cards from 53-65, but don't have to have every single card, and I have a good idea of my costs moving forward.
If you are looking for rookies, especially HOFers, I'd go graded all the way. You know high value cards haven't been tampered with. If something were to happen to you and someone else has to sell them, it becomes easier because it's easier to ballpark sets, etc.
My biggest advice is stay focused in one area, and if you go graded, be sure you like the card. Don't just buy a card because it says PSA 5. The card might grade a 5, but could be very off centered or have bad eye appeal. I have a lot of cards that I would eventually like to replace because I was excited to buy cards to complete my set, but now that I am more involved with the hobby, noticed I'd much rather have well centered cards and dinged up corners, then the other way around.
There are MANY very knowledgeable people around here. If you have questions, ask. They'll help ya out for sure.
My advice would be to research the boards before making another 5k in purchases.
Graded cards offer a level of protection, but it's really up to you. If finances factor in and you needed to liquidate quickly the graded cards are easier to sell. FYI I still work with both.
Even with a limited budget collecting cards can still be extremely enjoyable. I still enjoy the hobby but I rarely buy anymore because most of the older stuff I liked from the 50's and 60's in higher grades have caught fire and I am becoming priced out.
Storing and keeping track of your cards can be a major PITA. For example many of us have rooms and closets full of cards and it can be overwhelming. I still can't find my PSA7 Jimmy Brown rookie...doh.
Good luck.
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
There, I fixed it for you.
Antonio, welcome aboard. For what it's worth, I "don't have much discretionary income" either, which is why I don't spend 5 grand first and ask questions later. Just saying. But it's your money and better late than never. Good luck.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Welcome!
Believe it or not you don't have to spend very much money to enjoy the hobby. There was a thread on here not long ago about a member who liked the Brooklyn Dodgers and decided to purchase every Bowman/Topps Brooklyn Dodger card in poor/fair condition ( as you know that includes mega stars like Campy, Snider, Robinson, etc...) and he did it fairly inexpensively. They looked great too!
First, welcome to our forum!
Ya know.
There's a thin line between a hobby and insanity.
I don't know anyone who didn't go thru a period where they over spent and went a little OCD.
I'll start with some simple advice:
Rules of the road:
1. Establish a Budget
2. Establish a Focus
3. Never break rule 1 or 2.
You talked about not a lot of discretionary income?
Again. This is just my take.
A hobby is for fun IMO and if predicated on ROI? Could wind up sucking the fun out of it.
On the hobby side - as such?
I would recommend you read this board and others. Spend all the time - for a while - observing and asking questions and see if something really catches your eye that would be fun to collect.
Now we do have some dealer/part-time dealers here who see it differently and that's a topic for a different Oprah show buddy.
Good luck!
Welcome to the board.
Let me start by saying, I can't tell you what to buy or what to spend on cards as that is totally up to you. I don't know you personally to be able to tell you what you can afford or what cards you will enjoy after you purchase them.
Here's my advice to you. If this is indeed a hobby for you then look at it the way I do to make it enjoyable. I don't worry about what money is lost or gained by my cards because it is a hobby and not an investment. As Mike said if you look at it as an investment it may suck the fun right out of it. Look at it like taking a vacation that you really enjoyed and don’t want to end. I look at my card collecting as my vacation that I can take anytime I want and it lasts all year long. When I pull out my cards and look at them, it's like I'm on vacation. It's my diversion from everyday life, just like a vacation is supposed to be.
Good luck and have fun with it. Don't worry so much about the value of what you collect as long as it makes you happy. Enjoyment that can be had at your fingertips anytime you chose is priceless.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
Recently I started putting together Chrome Football Camo set from 2012-2015. Not a high dollar endeavor, but it has been more enjoyable than anything I have done in the hobby.
I think most people when they get back into this hobby over spend at first because there are so many things to collect and so much to catch up with. Expect to make a few bad purchases and learn from them.
I think Stone193's 3 Rules are a pretty good set to follow once you find what you like enjoying. If you have too many projects going at once, it can become daunting and at frustrating.
Best of luck find your niche and welcome!
LaJoie Portrait 3+, Cy Young Bare Hand 3+
Ty Cobb Bat Off 4+, ANY Red & Green Portrait
Spot on Donato.
I have so many memories attached to my collection - far exceeding any $ value I can assign.
Also, just want to say hi!
I've collected since 1970, but for the years I was in college, and have made plenty of decisions--good and bad. So here's a few points that come to mind:
1) Collect what you really like. I was intoxicated with '53 Bowmans at first sight in 1976 and have been collecting them ever since. I've bought and sold in every grade but the super high end, which I cannot afford, and have had a great time doing it. If they continue to go up in value, great. If not, I'm okay on passing them on to my grandkids, and have enjoyed collecting them.
2) Specialize--in an area that you're passionate about or could really enjoy. The universe of pre-'75 is enormous. Perhaps there's one particular player, team or set you find most compelling. Stick with it. Amazing how it can build after a decade or so. Diversification may work well for regulated investments, but liquidity also matters. I've found it's much more difficult to sell a highly diversified collection that's all over the place than
3) Collect the keys-- if you can afford them. If I could do it all over again, I'd save my money just focusing on the keys of the best stars, rather than putting money into lesser hall of famers or building complete sets. For example, An early Aaron, Mays, Mantle, Banks, Berra, Koufax, Ryan, Williams or Ruth, Gehrig, Cobb, Mathewson in ANY condition will still be sought after 30 - 50 years from now.
4) The non-rookie of key short prints are pricey but still affordable in NM and still have quite a lot of upside in my opinion. For example, '62 McCovey & Gibson, '67 Perez or Tommy John, '70 Ryan or Frank Robinson, '71 Richie Allen, '71 McLain '72 Carlton, Robinson & Morgan Traded, for example.
5) Beware trimmed cards --even in graded holders unless identified as "Altered". I'm seeing way more trimmed cards --even encapsulated-- than ever before. There are even professionals who charge compensation for advising how to alter a card to move it from a 7 to an 8 or above by some sort of alteration.
6) Build relationships with dealers/collectors you can trust--you'll learn a lot and they'll be able to highlight to you when they get something that's up your alley.
Best of luck and wishing you a lot of success--
Antonio, You have started so many threads that are very similar, and now people are wondering if you are actually a former board member just trying to mess with us.
I think you will get more help if don't keep starting new threads with almost the exact same questions.
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.