What's Hot and What's Not - 2013 & 2014

[4815162342]

Which vintage prewar cards/players/sets were hot in 2013?

What about 2014?

[ullmandds]

babe ruth was/is HOT!!!!!!!

E98BSF...kinda ICY!

E105 Mello Mints...pretty popular!

T213 Coupons...definitely heated up!

just to name a few...prediction for 2014...

graded magazine cutouts will dominate the hobby!

[sycks22]

I'm predicting T201's make a come back. It's been a tough year for them.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

...graded magazine cutouts will dominate the hobby!

I imagine thousands of Sporting News issues have already been cut up and sent to the TPGs.

[ullmandds]

Pete...I think you mean a tough life!!!!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by sycks22

I'm predicting T201's make a come back. It's been a tough year for them.

T201s have never had their just dues....

T206s and early Ruth stay hot.......everything else carries on as is....

[Jayworld]

I agree on the T201s being undervalued (and a good value in today's tobacco card realm). I purchased a Ward/Foster in VG-EX condition in 1981 for $14. I later sold this card, and just reacquired it for my collection in comparable condition for $22. So, in 32 years, the price was only $8 more….

[GregMitch34]

Hot for awhile in 2013: t206s with tougher backs (e.g. Tolstoi, EPDG). Then suddenly: not so hot! Ditto for CJ 1914s.

U.S. Caramels seem hot.

Tattoo Orbits seem cold. A Mack SGC 5 went for about half what it had been going for last night.

T205s continue cold.

[Sean]

Ruth, T206 continue hot.

T214s begin heating up.

[wolf441]

T206 rare backs will continue hot. T207's really seemed to pick up steam throughout the year.

[g_vezina_c55]

Ruth
T206

[Exhibitman]

If anyone would like a particular set to decline in price please let me know and I will offer my cards from it for sale. I guarantee a price decline the minute I list them...

[Jeffrompa]

If I collected T206's that would be good LOL

[drmondobueno]

I agree T201's are cold. IMHO, prices are dropping, often dramatically. Anything Ruth remains smoking. 1914 CJ's remain pricey, too bad for me as I own...none.

[Orioles1954]

Most 1930s stuff (minus Ruth and Gehrig) continues to plummet. The same Tattoo Orbit set I sold 2 years ago is probably worth 60% of that now.

[kamikidEFFL]

It's tough to say what will be hot. I think stuff stays roughly the same. I see a lot more interest in the t201's, I think we may see a lil bit of a rise in price I mean come on you can score a Cobb for peanuts. I hope the 34 goudey's stay low or go a lil lower so I can buy more of them haha.

[GregMitch34]

Aren't U.S. Caramels exception to rule of '30s cards sinking?

On t206s it seems that Southern Leaguers have leveled off? Agree? But big climb in Hall of Fame 5s...

[Eric72]

My opinion for 2014 - which, along with a few bucks, will get you a cup of coffee:

- Early Ruth cards continue to do well, despite collectors and investors being forced swim in red waters filled with sharks of every stripe (shill bidders, crooked sellers, counterfeiters, scammers...the list is endless). And there are also a growing number of honest collectors who wish to acquire Ruth cards for their collection, too.

- Lou Gehrig cards should benefit from the Ruth upswing. This would make sense economically, ceteris paribus; however, I also believe that modern collectors (NOT collectors of modern cards...just to be clear) will be increasingly appreciative of Gehrig's persona and gravitate towards collecting his material. Simply put, Gehrig was a sterling example of a human being who just happened to play sports for a living. The day is coming...and soon...when that will matter more to collectors than it has in the past. A byproduct of today's overly sensitive society...absolutely. However, I believe this to be a coming reality.

- T206 sees an interesting transformation wherein some segments continue to rise while others cool off. I love the Monster; however, unfortunately do not have enough experience with the set to offer the nuanced prediction I would like to.

- M116 and T205 grow in popularity and prices steadily rise. While I personally have collected neither thus far, I see a distinct upside compared to current market conditions and am seriously considering adding both to my collection.

I also have some opinions on the post-war side; however, would prefer to discuss them offline. If anyone would like to chat, please feel free to PM me.

Best regards,

Eric

[MattyC]

Beautifully said about Gehrig. I think similar logic applies to all the "big" names, which seem to take on a greater status in this relatively cynical and asterisk-ridden age.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

If anyone would like a particular set to decline in price please let me know and I will offer my cards from it for sale. I guarantee a price decline the minute I list them...

+1 (me too)

I have noticed that blank backed caramels have been heating up.
T213s have been warming up as have been Series 6 and 7 T210s.
E94s and E98s (not including the BSF cards) have been trending upward, espcially in SGC 50 or better. E93s, E95s and E96s still remain cooler for some reason.
Finally T207 Red Cycle backs (which AREN'T the scarcest of the backs on must tough back cards) have zoomed.

[mrvster]

T206 Printer's scraps/freak- Hot 2013 will continue 2014...T206 in general, HOT

Cold 2013/2014- not sure, since I'm too obsessed with T206

[Blunder19]

I would agree that in 2014 we will see T206 major errors take another leap.

[bn2cardz]

t205 generally speaking seem more popular with rarer backs and freaks gaining steam quickly.

e90-3 have been surprisingly cold. I couldn't believe I could get a graded 3 for less than $100 recently.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Blunder19

I would agree that in 2014 we will see T206 major errors take another leap........

.........of faith???

[Leon]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

.........of faith???

I personally don't think the T206 freaks and errors will leap but do think they continue to do well. No leap of faith needed with anything T206. And give me cards graded and aesthetically pleasing like this one any day of the week.

[Edwolf1963]

My opinion and whatever added doesn't even add up to the cup of coffee noted earlier, but fun to speculate nonetheless.

**I think the 1914 CJ centennial will keep them hot, even hotter. Notice more and more people getting into them in recent years (including me!). To that note, I think the 1915 CJ's as well will see increases in collectors entering into the fray and price as well.

**I think the lower grade T206 rarer backs for common players will level off or even dip some in 2014. (Drum, Broad Leaf excluded) Couldn't believe the run up on those - which is great for the interest/hobby, I just question the sustainability.

**High end, early career issue 50's HOF's like Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Mantle, etc. I think will continue to rise. The '57 Brooks Robby Rookie in an 8 has more than doubled in price in the last 5-6 years! Same with early career Mays in 7 and higher. I think those trends will continue.

**I have the E93 set complete and long for the day of rebound in interest and prices, but cannot see it in 2014. Nice looking cards, soft demand. I think the E98 set will have modest gains in popularity/prices .. perhaps sparked by the Black Swamp Find and those higher end cards circulating in the market? Other E series, I don't see it - but admittedly don't pay much attention to the other issues.

**I can't see the Brunners Bread cards reversing their downward trend in 2014 (and I don't see why, nice looking cards!) Higher grade HOFs being the obvious exception here.

**The Babe Ruth frenzie, as noted many times, I agree - will continue. I see more growth for the Jackie Robinson cards as well, especially in higher grade.

[Republicaninmass]

Signed cards 52 and earlier- Hot 2x-3x what the were a few years ago and the market can still grow. There just are not too many of these things floating around.

[ullmandds]

Funny how some peoples skyward predictions mirror what they collect!

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Funny how some peoples skyward predictions mirror what they collect!

I was thinking the same thing.

I agree with an earlier poster that the demand for 1914/1915 Cracker Jacks will increase due to the 100-year anniversary (is the company promoting this next year?).

Will 2014 be the year that the T206 bubble bursts when collectors finally realize how abundantly available and commonly altered they are?

[nolemmings]

Funny how some peoples skyward predictions mirror what they collect!

Maybe some but not me. I collect m101-4/5s and they are mostly ice cold--tepid on their best day (except for Ruth). I hope it stays that way for the next several years.

[ullmandds]

Not sure if I agree that "anniversaries" of popular sets cause prices to increase?

Did this happen with t206?

I suppose more awareness could bring more collectors into the fray hence driving up prices...dunno?

[Sean]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Funny how some peoples skyward predictions mirror what they collect!

Yes, most of us are just engaged in wishful thinking.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Not sure if I agree that "anniversaries" of popular sets cause prices to increase?

Did this happen with t206?

Not really. T206 prices had been very strong well before 2009.

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Funny how some peoples skyward predictions mirror what they collect!

You know how it is, Pete...but for my prediction, not so much.

I only track a few sets, so I'll comment on them. Since collecting T201's, the selling price has been nothing but a roller coaster. One card that typically goes for $200, will sell a few months later for $140 and so on. I don't mind this inconsistency because I can be patient and not rush the set. I predict this trend continues for 2014.

As for the T206's, I believe they will stay HOT in general, but we'll see tough variations get even more attention. Scraps and "freaks" will do well, but only the extreme "freaks" will see a notable rise in price (upside down backs, two player front miscut, etc.,).

Hopefully I'm not too far off

Happy Holidays!

[Sean]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

I was thinking the same thing.

I agree with an earlier poster that the demand for 1914/1915 Cracker Jacks will increase due to the 100-year anniversary (is the company promoting this next year?).

Will 2014 be the year that the T206 bubble bursts when collectors finally realize how abundantly available and commonly altered they are?

We T206 collectors have always known that they are abundant. That was part of their appeal for me. I knew that with enough time and money I could finish the set, excluding Wagner of course.

Actually, I was also quite naive 12 years ago. I actually thought that one day I could own a Doyle, NY Nat'l.

[Edwolf1963]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Funny how some peoples skyward predictions mirror what they collect!

May just be wishful thinking. No skyward prediction on my E93's, flat as Indiana - although one can always hope for better days.

I don't think the centennial aspect works for all, the T206's did seem to have more of a run/focus over that time though - and have continued since. CJ's seem to have that growth in focus/demand, centennial may just be coincidence or help drive more attention in some respects?

All falls under simple supply/demand economics to me - card/series can be as rare as anything on the market, but if nobody collects or cares, what value does it really have?

[EvilKing00]

Others have said but i have to add again Babe ruth was crazy hot and i think will continue to be hot.

[sreader3]

Prices of T206 subjects with scarcer backs climbed in 2013 and will continue to do so as more and more collectors pursue the 5K+ card superset, back runs of particular subjects, and back subsets. T206s with common backs rose modestly in 2013, with high grade hall of famers, southern leaguers and tougher commons (e.g. Dahlen) appreciating most. Everything else I own was flat to down.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Funny how some peoples skyward predictions mirror what they collect!

Pete- Maybe that's because collectors going after a particular set they are collecting pay extremely close attention to the prices of those cards. I know that I track the selling price of every E94 and E98 in every ebay sale and auction purchase. I also am working on an extra subset of T207 Red Cycle backs so I know what they are going for and what they were previously going for last year and the year before. I have also been working on the T210 Old Mill set and as I put it together card by card I am frustrated by the selling prices (especially in series 6 and 7) going through the roof.
tbob

[tbob]

Originally Posted by Leon

I personally don't think the T206 freaks and errors will leap but do think they continue to do well. No leap of faith needed with anything T206. And give me cards graded and aesthetically pleasing like this one any day of the week.

I agree with Leon 100% here, aesthetics rule. Sometimes a particular card will be exceedingly scarce and you have to buy a low end specimen but otherwise I'll take a sharp well centered and image register correct card over a freak any day. I just don't get the attention and lust for the freak cards but to each his own. I guess I'm getting old, I remember years ago collecting cards and the last thing we wanted was a horribly centered card or miscut or off register, etc. Times change

[KCRfan1]

Whatever is hot in 2014 will be everything I do not have, and what will be cold will be everything that I do have.