Question for the board about major purchase.

TheMick6

My hobby focus is a 53-57 Topps run. I have finished 53 and have every major card in 54-57 in at least a PSA 7 save one....... The big one that just seems to be climbing out of my reach by the minute. My question is this. I have a dealer I trust putting a nice 55 Clemente aside for me and basicly giving me a nice deal on it. It would no doubt be the biggest purchase I've ever made on one card out distancing my Aaron rookie by nearly double. I have a nice Aaron run in PSA 8 up to 1966. Obviously I'd keep 54-57 for my set run but how many of you think the value of the Clemente in a 7 will out distance the 55 bowman, 58-66 topps Aaron cards in solid eight shape. I thinking off selling those of to help finance the Clemente. How crazy do you guys think that will get in a seven??

JoeBanzai

Clemente is very highly collected. I would get his rookie ASAP. If you have a dealer/friend that's willing to put a nice one aside for you DO THAT, then take him out for the best steak you can find.

The Aarons will be hard to part with but the rookie and second year cards would seem to be keys, as long as you keep those, and get the Clemente, you should be very happy in the long run.

I am not an Aaron collector. He seems under appreciated except for the '54 Topps.

TheMick6

I tend to agree with all of that. I just think nice 8's a seeing a bump here lately. I want the Clemente bad enough to part with them I just feel they have a lot of room to grow. Worried I may be grabbing the Clemente at a peak it just seems to be getting way outta hand is all. I'd put a 6 in the 55 set but it would bug me to no end!!!!! Everything else is a seven

KendallCat

Here is what I have been taught and actually had the same dilemma myself a while back. In going for a Mantle rookie I had to sell some nice cards - some of which later were sold by pwcc and all were certified high end. I sold a 56 Mantle 8.5, Jordan rookie PSA 9, 1956 Mays, and a few other cards to get the Mantle rookie plus cash. I really liked the Mantle 8.5, but in the long run which is easier for me to obtain - a centered Mantle rookie or a 1956 Mantle 8.5 plus some other $2-3k cards?

I would grab the Clemente now IF you like the card - eye appeal, centering... You can always replace the others a little at a time and get all of them back, or you can wait until the Clemente gets to $40k+ and it will cost more. Hope this helps you out in your decision.

KC

cardcountry

Keith is exactly right. Sell the smaller stuff to get the bigger stuff, then replace the smaller stuff as you can. It's much easier to come up with $200 than $2000 or $20,000.

Jeff

70ToppsFanatic

Given the population differences between Clemente and Aaron I expect we will be seeing the Aaron PSA 8 at about $60k within the next 4-6 months. Clemente PSA 8 is now averaging $80k, and if you add in the Goodwin one which is already at $118k with BO and 3 weeks to go that average will soon be $86k or higher.

The Clemente 7s are now averaging $28k. I think they are also on an upward trajectory, but not quite as steep as the 8s. However,
It has to be a 7 with big time eye appeal that stands close to an 8 or you will be overpaying for the slab.

And to be fair, full disclosure is that I have my 7.5 listed on eBay now at bullish price and am weighing several offers with valuation
significantly north of the mid-century mark (hence the basis of my beliefs about eye appeal being critical less than PSA 8).

Good luck in your quest.

MilehighHOF

Originally posted by: 70ToppsFanatic
Given the population differences between Clemente and Aaron I expect we will be seeing the Aaron PSA 8 at about $60k within the next 4-6 months. Clemente PSA 8 is now averaging $80k, and if you add in the Goodwin one which is already at $118k with BO and 3 weeks to go that average will soon be $86k or higher.

The Clemente 7s are now averaging $28k. I think they are also on an upward trajectory, but not quite as steep as the 8s. However,
It has to be a 7 with big time eye appeal that stands close to an 8 or you will be overpaying for the slab.

What do you think the Aaron RC in a PSA 7 will do in the next 4-6 months? The populations are pretty close (343 Aarons and 317 Clementes), but the Clemente 7 is going for a lot more than the Aaron in a 7.

mintonlypls

As you state...your focus is 53-57 in at least a 7. If you can sell other cards not in your overall plan to achieve your collecting goal...then in this sense I would do it. The next...more important question you raise...is it the right time to buy the Clemente RC?

To me...it seems like irrational exuberance at the moment not only for Clemente but also other HOF RCs. There seems to be a mad rush to acquire key cards...b4 a card becomes out of reach monetarily. In the stock market...this madness would feel like a top.

The main image used on the Clemente RC is not unique too...it appears again on the '56. In that respect...it seems hard to justify the current price level. And in terms of greatness...I would place Aaron, Mays, Koufax, Frank Robinson (only player to win MVP honors in both leagues) and Reggie Jackson (how many players have World Series rings for each finger on one hand and hit 3 HRs in one World Series game) besides Mantle ahead of Clemente. The Clemente card just seems out of order to me. I know POP...POP...POP - but the price difference with some of the other great players seems out of whack to me.

Do I own one? No. Do I wish I would own one? Yes...but there are other cards I value more in my collection. Just my thoughts.