If you had 100k to build a collection...

[Casey2296]

What would it look like?

[sreader3]

PSA 4-5 T206 HOF subset minus Wags and Plank.

[oldeboo]

First card would be a relatively high grade 1947 Bond Bread Robinson portrait card, then maybe the Leaf for the heck of it

[conor912]

I would find 39 other people with $100k and go in on a Trout rookie together.

[Ronnie73]

I'd probably focus on just one T206 back subset that has some difficulty in finding the cards. Something like Cycles, American Beauty's, Old Mill's, EPDG's, or Tolstoi's. There's no fun in just buying something easy over night and being done with the project. I'd maybe be satisfied for a week with my purchase. I'd rather have to search cards out over time to build a very special rare collection that maybe one or two people have done or come close to completing. But that's how my brain works. I've built custom cars and I enjoy the build more than the completion.

[Mark17]

I'd see if I could get a home and road flannel for each team from the 1960-1968 era. Colts would be too difficult but Astros would be possible. I'd try to avoid vests by getting early Indians, A's and late Reds (road) shirts, but with Pirates there wouldn't be much choice. What a fantastic display that would make, and game flannels are scarcer than most cards, or GU bats.

[Snapolit1]

Prob buy the 4 Ruth 1933 Goudeys in best condition I could get for 25k each.

[investinrookies]

In no particular order and would get the best examples I could find to meet the budget.

Goudey Ruth #53
T206 Green Cobb
T206 Red Cobb
47 Bond Bread Portrait Robinson
14 CJ Cobb

[rjackson44]

Complete darby chocolate boxes 😀

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

Build a mid grade 1933 Goudey and 1951 Bowman set. Probably target an EX condition on all cards, and then upgrade if I had any money left over.

[Republicaninmass]

I would find 39 other people with $100k and go in on a Trout rookie together.


Fractional ownership brah! I'll get right on that, be right back or look for spam in your junk folder

[perezfan]

Yeah... screw that 4 Million Dollar Trout Card!

I would stick with "vintage", and spend the $100K to own 1/25th of a '53 Topps Mantle. :rolleyes:

[conor912]

Fractional ownership brah! I'll get right on that, be right back or look for spam in your junk folder

Or I hear for $100k you can own one eyeball of a ‘53 Mantle.

[Millerd33]

Pre 1930 low grade super star HOFers. Lots and lots of them.

Q: What's better than 3 low grade T206 Walter Johnson Portraits?

A: 4 low grade T206 Walter Johnson Portraits.

[Huysmans]

Definitely no card purchases for me if I suddenly had $100,000.
Like Billy Joe and Bobbie Sue, I would take the money and run.... quickly.

[Bicem]

Low grade Ruth rookie.

[wondo]

I'd build a high grade Mays run!

[One 'ol Cat]

I would find 39 other people with $100k and go in on a Trout rookie together.

Maybe you could go after the HOLY GRAIL. A Trout rookie printer's plate proof card.

[conor912]

Maybe you could go after the HOLY GRAIL. A Trout rookie printer's plate proof card.

If Trout dipped his sack in ink and made a 1/1 nutprint card, I wonder what that would go for....

[sportscardpete]

If Trout dipped his sack in ink and made a 1/1 nutprint card, I wonder what that would go for....

Given all the wrinkles and hairline creases the low grade would really ding the value.

[mrreality68]

Given all the wrinkles and hairline creases the low grade would really ding the value.

Either a low grade Old Mills Joe Jackson or a Boston Garter Joe Jackson

[yanks87]

I have run this thought through my head before. I would go out and try and find the best low grade examples of the iconic cards in the hobby. Which is really what I have been trying to do since I was a kid, but this would be a war chest that I could have some fun with!!

Either that, or I would buy EVERY Dave Winfield rookie card I could get my hands on, control the market, corner the market. That would be sweet.

[sbfinley]

I'd rebuild the t206 set I was working on before I sold 8 years ago. Got to 373.. I've thought about starting again, but too many other projects, kids, life, and the rising prices don't make it feasible right now.

[CJinPA]

I'd buy 1880's and 1890's Old Judge HoFer then move to some mid-grade's of some caramel/tobacco HoFer's like Young, Cobb, Matthewson.... would have to weigh high grade vs. size of collection.

[Doc]

I would buy as much 1988 Topps as I possibly could.

[Rickyy]

I would get an Addie Joss Day Post Card, a low grade Magie error T206, Just So Tobacco sample card, maybe a square frame Ramly in high grade... fun to think about!

Ricky Y

[riggs336]

I'd buy as many Jackie Robinson cards as I could. I foresee incredible upside there in coming years.

[JollyElm]

I'd exhaust the entire amount by buying a single 1982 Topps common from Dean's. :cool:

[Touch'EmAll]

No hurry. Perhaps have your eye out for an especially appealing to you Babe Ruth card (the 1926-29 Exhibit is classic). Of course same goes for a Ty Cobb card you really like. And a handful of other top tier HOF'ers - W. Johnson, Matty, Cy Young, Foxx. The Bowman Satchell Paige is stunning in nice condition and centered. You don't have to get into the "set" mentality. Look for nice for the grade EX 5 - EX/MT 6 range. Good luck.

[Seven]

In no Specific Order

Red Portrait Cobb
Portrait Walter Johnson
Dark Cap Mathewson
33 Delong Jimmie Foxx
33 Delong Lou Gehrig
33 Goudey Ruth 149
34 Goudey Gehrig 61
41 Play Ball Dimaggio
51 Bowman Mickey Mantle
51 Bowman Mays

All in lower or authentic grades with good eye appeal. It takes a lot for me to part with a card, the investment strategy means nothing to me. I'll stick to the market when it comes to investing my money. Rather just enjoy collecting as a hobby.

[rats60]

I would want a good selection of the games best players and classic sets. My list would look something like this
T206 Ty Cobb
T3 Walter Johnson
E95 Honus Wagner
1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth
1934 Goudey Lou Gehrig
1939 Play Ball Ted Williams
1949 Leaf Jackie Robinson
1951 Bowman Willie Mays
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
1954 Topps Hank Aaron
1955 Topps Roberto Clemente

[hcv123]

I would buy as much 1988 Topps as I possibly could.

You would need a new house just to store them!

That said - my 100K would be mid grade (4-6) with high eye appeal:
T3 Cobb
1921 Ruth
1934 Goudey Gehrig
1951 Bowman Mantle
1955 Clemente

That should get me to 100k

[birdman42]

My fantasy list, as long as I'm not limited to things that are actually on the market:

T204 Johnson
L-1 Johnson
E107 nice VG Washington player
N403 Yum Yum Mack
PM-1 ornate pin Johnson
T222 Fatima Johnson
W600 Milan

That should be about 85K. I'm sure I would find other items along the way.

Bill

[bbcard1]

I have thought of this in a similar way. Prices have gotten so crazy I have toyed with the idea of selling my collection, though I doubt that I will...but if I did I would focus on cards from the 1970s. It was when I was a boy and I knew all the players and would spend hours pouring over the backs of cards. There are enough regionals and test issues to make it interesting for the long term. While I don't think those cards will ever reach astronomical heights, they hold a special place in my heart.

[yanks4]

If Trout dipped his sack in ink and made a 1/1 nutprint card, I wonder what that would go for....


I don't care who you are ...That's funny

[fkm_bky]

Low to mid grade T206 HOF Portrait subset with a low grade Plank.

Bill

[mrreality68]

Almost a year later but I would change my card to

either 1914 CJ Christy Mathewson Card or a W600 Wagner Card

[jgannon]

I'd buy a '52 Mantle and give it to his surviving sons...

This is an old clip. Maybe they have one now. They talk about not having his rookie card, but I think they are talking about the '52. Maybe they mean the '51 Bowman. But I don't know. I'd like to give them both of them. But I don't know if $100,000 would even be enough at this point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUriWlOARlc&t=1s

[53toppscollector]

I think I'd buy $100k worth of Green Cobbs, go to sleep for a year, and sell for a much higher price a year from now, then I'd go about assembling the sets I want to put together.

[packs]

Cobb CJ
Joe Jackson CJ
Claxton Zeenut

[butchie_t]

If Trout dipped his sack in ink and made a 1/1 nutprint card, I wonder what that would go for....

People would be balling for it. :p

[Casey2296]

Holy Cow! Looking at what I've acquired over the past year since I made this post and how much it cost I think I have answered my own question.

[butchie_t]

I would buy as much 1988 Topps as I possibly could.

Ha, don’t laugh too hard. But I am looking for that set now. Somehow I missed buying it and now find myself having to pick one up to fill my complete set hole for that year.

Somewhat embarrassing.

[ullmandds]

How many cards constitutes "a collection?"

To me 1 $100,000 card is not a collection?

For me...a nice collection would be:

an e121 ruth
a goudey ruth
pick a handful other ruths

or

a few postcard/early cobbs
all 4 t206 cobb
a cj cobb

[mrreality68]

How many cards constitutes "a collection?"

To me 1 $100,000 card is not a collection?

For me...a nice collection would be:

an e121 ruth
a goudey ruth
pick a handful other ruths

or

a few postcard/early cobbs
all 4 t206 cobb
a cj cobb

You could be right he said to "build a Collection" so I took it as what would I buy to build my collection not complete it part of the building of it

[butchie_t]

Starting from 1968 Topps Baseball, I would buy complete sets back each year as far as I possibly could to try and complete the run with what I am missing now and have no sensible chance today of completing them without that sort of windfall.

And one of the 1988 horded sets from Doc.

[Rhotchkiss]

As a collector -- I love T206, so I would likely start with the stud HOFers, ideally in off-backs, and build from there: Cobb, Matty, Johnson, Young, Lajoie, Speaker, and Cubs (Tinker-Evers-Chance, maybe M Brown)

For Investment -- Ruth, Cobb, Wagner, Jackson and rare-back T206 HOFes and maybe a T206 Magie error

[cardsagain74]

Baseball:

'50 Bowman set mid grade
'52 Topps set grade 2
'67 Topps set mid-grade
'71, '73, '75, and '78 sets mid-grade

The rest:

'80-81 Topps and '86 Fleer hoops set in nm
'71 Topps FB mid-grade and '84 Topps FB nm
'85-86 OPC hockey set in nm

What's left (not much) spread out over favorite RCs from baseball, basketball, and football from '48 to '89

[mark evans]

CJ Joe Jackson and '52 Topps Mantle

[clydepepper]

been there, done that...this is a sellers' market right now.

no regrets...well, perhaps just a few.

.

[MuncieNolePAZ]

A couple of Jamie’s Red Portrait Cobbs and a 14 CJ Cobb.

[bmattioli]

VG-EX sets of every Topps set starting with the 1952 until I ran out of cash..

[campyfan39]

Identical answer for me

VG-EX sets of every Topps set starting with the 1952 until I ran out of cash..

[ullmandds]

Identical answer for me

that would be very cool!

[birdman42]

My fantasy list, as long as I'm not limited to things that are actually on the market:

T204 Johnson
L-1 Johnson
E107 nice VG Washington player
N403 Yum Yum Mack
PM-1 ornate pin Johnson
T222 Fatima Johnson
W600 Milan

That should be about 85K. I'm sure I would find other items along the way.

Bill

PM-1 ornate pin Johnson One down! Thanks, Dan.

[Stampsfan]

It takes a lot for me to part with a card, the investment strategy means nothing to me. I'll stick to the market when it comes to investing my money. Rather just enjoy collecting as a hobby.

I could not have said this any better myself. Thank you.

[Stampsfan]

I remember when the kids were young, I would dream about taking $10,000 and going to a major show, and just buying what I wanted. Couldn't afford to do that back then.

Now that the kids are launched and I can afford $10,000, I am dreaming about taking $100,000 and going to a major show, and just buying what I wanted. Cannot afford to do that right now.

In both dreams, I would be buying the exact same cards.

[Tabe]

First card would be the nicest T3 Ty Cobb I could find and afford. After that, I honestly don't know anymore.

[MVSNYC]

I like a lot of the answers above- '52 Mantle, Ruth Goudeys, T206 HOF Portraits with rare backs, etc.

What would be interesting, is a variation of this question...How would you start building a collection with $100,000, BUT not buy any (high-priced) blue chip cards. All of those cards are super high now...what cards would you buy that you think are about to take off? Under the radar. Like buying a stock early. Cards you think are undervalued now, with great upside.

Maybe that's a new thread.

[mrreality68]

I remember when the kids were young, I would dream about taking $10,000 and going to a major show, and just buying what I wanted. Couldn't afford to do that back then.

Now that the kids are launched and I can afford $10,000, I am dreaming about taking $100,000 and going to a major show, and just buying what I wanted. Cannot afford to do that right now.

In both dreams, I would be buying the exact same cards.

What cards were in both dreams?

[Republicaninmass]

One semi rare HOF rookie card. Likely E107

[conor912]

VG-EX sets of every Topps set starting with the 1952 until I ran out of cash..

100k would get you to ‘54 at best :)

[profholt82]

been there, done that...this is a sellers' market right now.

no regrets...well, perhaps just a few.

.

But then again, too few to mention

[obcbobd]

Good question. To be honest I could find $100k to spend on cards, but I am not comfortable spending crazy prices. But assuming I HAD TO spend the $100k, I'd upgrade my 33 Goudey Ruth/Gehrigs to vg or vg/ex. with left over money I'd get a 54 Aaron, 52 Mays and maybe some Cracker Jack HOFers

[cardsagain74]

100k would get you to ‘54 at best :)

Was noticing those. It won't even quite get the '52 T vg-ex set at all :D

[abothebear]

The most I have ever paid for a card was $78, so I can't conceive of how I'd spent 100k if I had to spend it on cards. I'd probably keep going as I have been, except maybe bump up the threshold to $400 or so. That would really speed things up.

[ValKehl]

My unique response is, I'd start with this complete set of N370 Lone Jack Cigs cards that is in the current REA auction: https://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=86422

Why, you ask? Because I'm a native, life-long Virginian who collects vintage cards related to Virginia, such as cards in these sets that depict Virginia League players: E222, T206, T209-2, and T210-2. While the Lone Jacks don't depict Va. League players, they were produced in Va. and probably only distributed locally. And, I visit the Lynchburg, Va., area frequently, as my wife has family who reside there. I'm thrilled to have this one Lone Jack card in my type collection, which is most likely the only example I'll ever have.

[Casey2296]

My unique response is, I'd start with this complete set of N370 Lone Jack Cigs cards that is in the current REA auction: https://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=86422

Why, you ask? Because I'm a native, life-long Virginian who collects vintage cards related to Virginia, such as cards in these sets that depict Virginia League players: E222, T206, T209-2, and T210-2. While the Lone Jacks don't depict Va. League players, they were produced in Va. and probably only distributed locally. And, I visit the Lynchburg, Va., area frequently, as my wife has family who reside there. I'm thrilled to have this one Lone Jack card in my type collection, which is most likely the only example I'll ever have.
That lone jack set is incredible.

[mrreality68]

Hi Everyone

Now that we all have ideas what we want, will anyone be sending us checks?

Ryan?
Ryan?

[Yoda]

If Trout dipped his sack in ink and made a 1/1 nutprint card, I wonder what that would go for....

Let's ask his wife.

[kmac32]

It would be very close to my current collection and add in a T205 Mordecai Brown Drum back and an E121-80 Ruth

[tbob]

Buy the best T206 Plank I could find for my near set.

[tbob]

Plan B: Find and buy an orange E94 Honus Wagner (if it exists). Plan C would be to pursue the other orange E94s I need in the hands of collectors, making them Godfather offers they couldn’t refuse lol.

[samosa4u]

In 2019, you could have purchased lots of sweet cards with that kind of money. In today's market, 100k won't get you much - maybe four or five blue chips and that's it. It sucks. :(:(

Now, to answer the OP's question, I'd pick a few from this list below:

Baseball

- Leaf Jackie Robinson
- World Wide Gum Co. Joe DiMaggio
- Bowman Willie Mays
- Bowman Mickey Mantle

Football

- National Chicle Bronko Nagurski
- Topps Jim Brown
- Topps Joe Namath

Hockey

- Parkhurst Gordie Howe
- Topps Bobby Orr
- Topps Bobby Hull

Basketball

- Topps Bill Russell
- Fleer Wilt Chamberlain

[Neal]

the best examples I could fit into 100K

52 Topps Mantle
33 Goudey Ruth 53 or 181
52 Topps Mays
T206 Green Cobb
47 Jackie

[conor912]

Let's ask his wife.

Good idea. She is the keeper of that printing press, after all.

[mrreality68]

Let's ask his wife.

Just curious has she ever seen your collection?
Does she know your budget on your collection?:)

[sportscardpete]

I love the list below. My only edit would be to take out the DiMaggio and throw in one of the 4 t206 cobbs. I just think over time the t206 will hold value more than DiMaggio (coming from a guy who has zero insight).


In 2019, you could have purchased lots of sweet cards with that kind of money. In today's market, 100k won't get you much - maybe four or five blue chips and that's it. It sucks. :(:(

Now, to answer the OP's question, I'd pick a few from this list below:

Baseball

- Leaf Jackie Robinson
- World Wide Gum Co. Joe DiMaggio
- Bowman Willie Mays
- Bowman Mickey Mantle

Football

- National Chicle Bronko Nagurski
- Topps Jim Brown
- Topps Joe Namath

Hockey

- Parkhurst Gordie Howe
- Topps Bobby Orr
- Topps Bobby Hull

Basketball

- Topps Bill Russell
- Fleer Wilt Chamberlain

[skelly423]

I've never built a $100k collection, but I've been close, and have been fortunate to be able to own some really substantial cards. I've come to learn that if my budget is $10, I always want the $20 card. If my budget is $10k, I want the $20k card. I have no reason to think if I have $100k at my disposal that I'd want the $200k cards.

I've found the hunt is as exciting as the card, so I've turned to set building as a way to satisfy my collecting interests. I can pore over the $10-20 cards, and have the budget flexibility to buy the key cards in the same condition. With $100k, I'd probably work on a nice VG set of 1933 Goudeys.