What Cards In Your Collection Would You Never Sell or Upgrade?
 

This is inspired by Bruce's thread on Big Spenders (Link), where it was mentioned by some posters that you often see the same cards over and over again at auctions, but for Bruce, what he buys, he very rarely ever re-sells.

So what cards in your collection are you never planning on re-selling (or if you did hit an emergency financial situation, these would be the very last cards you would sell)? You would also not plan on upgrading these cards because you are happy with their condition or you can't really afford anything higher. Therefore, until you meet your maker, these cards ain't ever hitting the market.

For me, these would probably be my rarest cards where I would think I would have trouble re-buying again if I had to sell. And which meant the most to me of course:

c.1915 RPPC Babe Ruth
1928 Tabacalera #98 Ruth
1934 Japanese Bromide Ruth
1926-29 Exhibits Ruth (Portrait) PSA 5 (not rare, but I love this pose)

I can't imagine ever getting rid of these 3.

For the right price. Everything's for sale.

I agree with Ladder... everything can be available.... but on the last to go:

Punch collection
Billiken collection
Aguilitas collection
TG collection

Although they're not the most valuable pieces in my collection I couldn't see myself parting with these (3). I don't think they could be replaced regardless of what grade the slab states.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95...kerfront-5.jpg http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95...sonfront-3.jpg http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95...ortfront-1.jpg

When I saw that you had posted, Tony, I just knew the Lajoie would be included. Damn it.

My fathers 52 Mantle he picked out of a pack when he was a kid, family treasure right there.

As for does everything have a price? If I could get enough for it to help him comfortably retire and see the world then absolutely I would.

I even tried to hide it by adding a couple other cards in the scan along with it. Dammit Rob you still spotted it........ :D

Man, this is a tough question. But I think it would be these four.
 

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...obbGreen-1.jpg http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...15CJWJSGC3.jpg http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ds/M116WAG.jpg http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...933ruth144.jpg

Great looking green Cobby Dean...........

Maybe Im the only one.....
 

I wouldn't sell my cards that came to me as a kid. I bought the 86 fleer baskerball set, borrowing money from my accountant father, sold the set and kept the jordan...it wont go up for sale. Also I have the fist card i ever bought still, a 59t musial, and that will never be sold. Mt father gave a 69 mantle in nrmt 20 yrs ago and that will never be sold. To say I'd sell for the right price is kind of pointless b/c who would offer me an ungodly pile of cheese for these cards? But every time i look at them i remember when, where, how and WHY i got them. There is a feeling that goes w/ that...you can bury those cards w/ me.

Wouldn't sell my T206 Lajoie my dad bought for me for $1 at a Flea Market in about 1975.

hERES A COUPLE iM PRETTY SURE iLL NEVER SELL

Attachment 41167

Attachment 41168

Attachment 41169

Thanks Tony...extremely hard to see glue residue on the back is only reason for the harsh grade. No way I could replace it with the same eye appeal without breaking the bank.

keepers forever.....
 

I hope I can keep these cards for many more years.

These three skinned Old Judges that my dad gave me when I was a kid...along with the advice to collect vintage cards and stop wasting my money on modern (1980s) cards.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ry001Small.jpg

The 1935 Goudey Ruth was from the cards given to me by my father that he purchased as a child and the T205 Brown is one of the favorite in my collection.

http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=3764

http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=1949

My top one is not a card, but a multi signed ball my dad got when he was 12 yrs old at an Enid Giants/Joplin Minors game in Oklahoma. Sweet spot is signed by the local idol, an 18 year old shortstop- Mickey Mantle, who I think made 60+ errors, but hit .383 that year.

These two are definitely not the most valuable, and have little on others posted, but took me a long time to find, and love them both for that... (also- all cards given/acquired in some way through my parents are off limits, but it would be boring to scan a 1987 Fleer Will Clark).

BTW- Curious how is that T206 Johnson only a 3, and the green Cobb only a 2? Rear paper loss?

Being a bottom-feeder collector, I feel pretty fortunate to own this card even in its condition. I don't see myself ever upgrading or parting with it.

What Cards In Your Collection Would You Never Sell or Upgrade?

Too many to list to not sell, trade or upgrade, but here are some examples:

I'll have to say none because over the years I've had many cards fit that description that I've been forced to sell for various reasons.

Probably my SGC 40 Boston Store Joe Jackson. Likely the most I will ever pay for a card and likely a card I will die with :-D

I might consider down grading for the right type of deal though ;-D

James G

Never sell
 

Boston Garter Uncut sheet
highest graded Four Base Hits Van Haltran
Just So Chewing Tobacco cards-highest graded
e 94 cards in PSA 8
PSA 8 Wilson Frank Slaugther
Near mint Brooklyn Players League cabinet
George Miller wrapper
Program from first Negro League world series with selected autographs
Fatima T222 PSA 7- only card in that grade
R 306 Buttercream - PSA 7-only card in that grade
1949 Bowman PCL PSA 9
High grade (many unique ) Negro League postcards

In fact, we have no plans to ever sell anything unless we come across a duplicate or face an emergency. We do find the lists published to quite interesting

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List
bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com

I don't upgrade; just not how I roll.

Everything I own is for sale at the right price. Bring over a briefcase with a lifechanging sum of money in it and I'll not only sell you any card(s) you want, I'll help you load them too.

God, I love the Just So set....Personally, one of my favorite sets, especially being a Cleveland fan. Only wish there were more of 'em, and they weren't so damn expensive... I'd settle for a high quality repro set, but to the best of my knowledge, there aren't any.

Hey, Gary:

Great choice on the c1915 Ruth RPPC. I was disappointed to see how cheap it went when you won it in a recent auction (it was my consignment) but I'm glad that at least it went to a fellow collector who appreciates it so much.

I have two that fit in here. When I started collecting in the early 80's I saw a picture of a '56 Ernie Banks card and that became my goal. I was all smiles when I bought that one. Almost 30 years after that I had a near fatal accident at work and eventually reached a modest settlement. The first thing I bought was a Banks rookie and the second thing was a Banks jersey.

I met Ernie Banks a few months after buying the card and told him what had happened to me. He had a shocked look on his face and asked if I was OK ( I am). I told him about my purchases and showed him the jersey I was wearing and he asked me if I'd take it off so he could sign it. The event organizers tried to jump in and say he couldn't sign it and I'll never forget what he said and did. He got mad at them and was almost yelling as he said "You all back off! This man was hurt and almost died! I want to sign his jersey and I'm GOING TO SIGN HIS JERSEY! You all need to learn what life is about." I was awestruck. I called my dad after that and we both had tears over what Ernie did. He is a real class act.

Here I am all wide eyed like a little kid at the event

great story
 

Great story about Banks.Those kinds of stories restore some of my faith in mankind and sports celebrities in particular. Glad you are ok after the accident.

As for the topic, I am with Adam, I think. Nothing is 100% off limits. I think at some point I would like to do a catalog to sell my collection. Not sure when but I think that would be a lot of fun. Nice thread too!!

Agreed, great Banks story. Now to your second point. I've often considered going the same route, and start just constantly moving cards, and live vicariously through a checklist of all the cards that I once owned as opposed to simply the ones I own.. My addiction just won't let me do it though, I have a hard time letting go of doubles of commons, not to mention some of the all time great cards..

pm sent re: T231 Baker :) j/k

For me it is this:

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...dmontPSAex.jpg

For 2 reasons:

A) Cannot afford a higher grade, so no upgrading necessary

B) Lajoie portrait is the one T206 I wanted for my pc and now that I have in a good grade, it will remain in my pc for good and may even stay in a PSA holder which is rare for me


P.S. My C55 Joe Malone SGC 70 also fits the category of never selling or upgrading. Great grade and is the one pre-war hockey card I always wanted.

Speaking of the Adam Hats Maxie Rosenbloom... ;)

off limit cards?
 

Craig- PM received :)...btw, there is a 3rd one (including the Xerox) that has been shown, on Bob Lemke's blog. John Ramirez owns it...so you might PM him also? My guess is you might have more of a chance with mine and mine is off limits. :)

Adam- the only problem with that particular card is that I can't imagine breaking up that group of them, though I guess I could fathom the idea of only keeping the baseball ones together. Still not for sale though ....:cool:

Understandable. I do have a hockey HOFer (Red Dutton) from the same set and a Carl Hubbell matchbook made from the same image...just saying...

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...s%20Dutton.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...0matchbook.jpg

Tony,
He wasn't the only one who spotted it!! I have loved that card since the day I first saw your post with it!! :)

Thank you for the kind words Greg.

Signed T206 Collection
 

Really every card in my signed T206 collection, unless I have doubles. It is easy to fall in love with the Hall of Famers, like Fred Clarke, Cy Young and Walter Johnson. But my favorite autographed T206 card may just be my Lena Blackburne. I really just love the signature and overall presentation. Also, it is hard not to love Fred Snodgrass' comments about how he was once a catcher; my first autographed T206 card (Marquard portrait); or the highest graded signed T206 card (Doyle portrait) I have ever seen. The Clarke and Doyle are originally from the Jeff Morey collection, which I view as the best provenance imaginable.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9JThsZG2x8u9YDxbx6mrFDiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iQ_phCjfIIU/S7FELuCjRqI/AAAAAAAAHxE/XtllpNFpYRU/s800/Clarke%252520Batting%252520Auto%252520SGC%25252010 .jpg" height="800" width="499" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/swNQV2bixh6GcZAeoJci_jiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OhVpYz1aRys/TAAOGsOSADI/AAAAAAAAH20/uGEZ9SoRNa8/s800/image0-2.jpg" height="800" width="501" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/61xD7QwRDrDXru4LoSfWtTiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y_RunaUGra0/SVBQRQ4-ARI/AAAAAAAAFiY/ogtfDpm2H3k/s800/JohnsonPitchingPSADNA.jpg" height="791" width="470" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w9R1wCYwqw1aLwOMlDDnNDiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lU_hH5HeBT8/TZaKVGZSjKI/AAAAAAAAI8s/McwzG7OEjRE/s800/Blackburne_Auto_SGC50.JPG" height="633" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nuynjwmreNQYWf_ZqNph9DiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZctnIUeDEiM/SqBnH9p4W4I/AAAAAAAAHQk/qisqu_7vVzw/s800/SnodgrassBattingCatcherCommentary.jpg" height="651" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CR1TuZ8XYxbAoHPgdA54TDiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6vkW7dDzPFY/Rv0PG3tTjsI/AAAAAAAABqI/HaENLwzvzl0/s800/Marquard%252520Portrait%252520SGC%25252030%252520A uto.jpg" height="800" width="501" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iVXWEz_OSRpmQm3cPgM96jiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ScLDMNA6TAY/S7FELIol4BI/AAAAAAAAHw8/B9DHvy6ObL0/s800/Doyle%252520Portrait%252520Auto%252520SGC%25252080 .jpg" height="800" width="502" /></a>

Beautiful cards, Paul

Thanks, man. I may keep 'em forever, and in my safety deposit box, but I love sharing scans on my website and here, of course.

If you're going to keep special cards under lock and key for a generation, you owe it to the collecting public to at least let them breathe online.

Well if I may speak for the collective, thanks for your willingness to share. I don't know if I have it in my to collect signed T206s [neither the cash, nor the ability to focus], but I sure do appreciate being able to take a peak at 'em every now and again.

Regards,

Richard.

Collectors of pre-war cards are only holding our cards in a sort of collective public trust. Sharing cards not only increases personal enjoyment, but it inspires collections. People complain that kids today don't collect baseball cards. Today's collectors share responsibility for passing on the enjoyment to the next generation. Not only does this make sense economically when you go to sell, but it makes at least me feel better when I realize I can't take these with me.

Yeah, about that. I just finished checking out all the signed cards on your site. I can't afford to be inspired to collect signed T206s. Would you mind taking your site off-line for me ? ;)

Seriously though -- great collection, and again thanks for sharing!

Regards,

Richard.

Most of mine were purchased over the past 4 years for $500 or less. Sno, Doyle, Livingston and Marquard are relatively common. It is less about money and more about diligence and timing, aka luck!

Having a website has done wonders for me in terms of people approaching me with stuff they have or know about. Again, sharing here has helped me grow my collection tremendously.

Thanks again for the kudos!

That's exactly why I put together a framed display of my T206 Cobbs (all low grade SGC 10-30). I want my boys to see them daily and enjoy them as much as I do. And maybe, just maybe, they'll want to join me in collecting this old cardboard too.

it is not a card but a man who was like a father to me gave me a great signed and framed large photo of ted williams...never to be for sale..it was a 30th birthday gift!!! i was shocked and smile for days..i could never afford to buy it on my own...he died a few years back. thanks Mr. Hart as for cards i think i will be keeping all my eddie collins and ed walsh cards..plus my great t205 ty cobb and walter johnson and christy mathewson

cool, i love a good display mine is always changing i have a very small display and i like to change it every week or so.

I had this Stan Musial "rookie" signed for me by The Man (not in person, but mailed to him). It's not worth that much in the grand scheme of things, but it's one that I never plan to let go:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/IMG_0480.jpg

Next isn't a card, but a ball I recently acquired. It's mainly a 500HR club ball with a few exceptions (Rose, Lemon, Sewell). I plan on trying to get more 500HR player autos over time. Just back from Richard Simon as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF9416.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF9418.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF9419.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF9417.jpg

Lastly is a 1984 Topps Don Mattingly rookie. Value? Probably $5. But it was the first GOOD card I ever got when I started collecting back when Mattingly was HOT. I recently picked up my childhood collection from my parents house and there it was, still in the screw down holder I bought for it because I cherished it so much.

http://cdn.sportsmemorabilia.com/spo...379784-500.jpg
Not my card, but spot on.

I have two cards I'd never sell: a t206 cy young epdg that I bought when I was 16 years old, and a nadja card my sister bought for me (put up a watch list on ebay, and she ended up buying it for me).

Only one real "never sell" for me, the 69 Reggie Jackson I got in my first pack. It's poor-fair now, having spent a few years in the toybox with metal trucks and other stuff, but I can't imagine selling it.

There's a few that would be tough to let go of, The 74 set, that first one I really collected, a taped together T206 Beckley that was the first T206 I bought- A whole 20 cents!. And maybe a few others.

Steve B

Christy Mathewson signed ball and Joe DiMaggio signed lithograph that he personally inscribed for me at a show in Kansas City in 1988.
Card sets are all hypothetically replaceable although some would require huge sums due to the time and toil spent putting them together. I'm just getting too old to sit down and once again try putting the T206 (-4) set together card by card :)

t206 errors
 

PAUL,

WOW:eek:.....beautiful collection, you know i always admire your focus .....................


i can't seem to part with hardly any of my cards....i think i have a problem:D


Peace

Johnny v

Wow, Bob, a Matty signed ball???? Do you have a pic of that???

What Cards In Your Collection Would You Never Sell or Upgrade?
 

Only one I have ever seen (Only one graded by any company) I would bet a shiny nickel that Tin Top collector's don't own one either :

The one's it would be hard to get back...
 

Like a lot of you, the cards that would go last are the ones that would probably be the most difficult for me to get back:

(1) 1907 Dietsche Tigers Fielding Pose Cobb, PSA Ex;
(2) 1923 Lections Ruth;
(3) 1955 Exhibits Postcard Back Mantle, with "Made in USA" legend at lower
right;
(4) 1931-32 Exhibits Ruth portrait, from the movie stars set;
(5) 1929 R315 Foxx, gold/yellow stock, SGC ExMt;
(6) 1936 R312 DiMaggio, raw, NrMt;
(7) 1969 Topps Super PSA Proof Reggie Jackson rookie;
(8) 1914 T222 Fatima Alexander (typical wrinkles/creasing, but otherwise NrMt and centered);
(9) 1907 Dietsche Cubs Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown, PSA Ex+;
(10) 1926-29 Exhibits Postcard Back Foxx, SGC 60 Ex;
(11) 1926-29 Exhibits Postcard Back Gehrig portrait, SGC Ex (because I
love portraits, and think this is his best looking card);
(12) 1910 Sepia PC796 Walter Johnson;
(13) 1954 Bowman PSA 8 Mantle (60/40 centering, mint corners, with only a light indentation in the right border keeping it from PSA 9, IMO;
(14) 1938 Goudey #288 Feller (last card in set), PSA 7;
(15) 1962 Topps #1 Maris, PSA 8;
(16) 1939 Exhibits Gehrig (last card from his playing days; pulled from production early on);
(17) 1938 Goudey #250 DiMaggio, PSA 7.

I'd like to hang on to these and other good ones I might acquire, until they could be auctioned off after my passing, with the proceeds going to missionary work.

And Mike, I wouldn't part with that Collins-McCarthy Ruth either--a very tough card in any grade! Bruce, I wish I had your card buying budget--pardon my drooling! Oh, and wonderful Banks story, CubsFanCurt--truly heartwarming.

Thought-provoking post!

Larry

Jarrod,

I feel the same way about my '84 Topps Mattingly. It even has a bubble gum stain on the little portrait of Donnie Baseball making it basically worthless today, but I'll never part with it.

Best,

AndyH

Hard to imagine getting rid of or uprgrading these
 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/3084954078/" title="1908 Detroit Free Press PC 773-4 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/3084954078_91616db3e7_o.jpg" width="475" height="882" alt="1908 Detroit Free Press PC 773-4"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/5342975261/" title="1906 Sporting Life Postcard W601 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5342975261_2c9bcac364_o.jpg" width="872" height="470" alt="1906 Sporting Life Postcard W601"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/3019102393/" title="1908 American League Publishing Company PC 770 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/3019102393_a3ff2c0f8e_o.jpg" width="500" height="920" alt="1908 American League Publishing Company PC 770"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/3548533797/" title="1914 Boston Garter Sepia H813-3 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/3548533797_194ca351ca_o.jpg" width="972" height="1350" alt="1914 Boston Garter Sepia H813-3"></a>

Never is a hard thing to say
 

Ok never is a long time but let me say for at least 10 years i will not sell my brunners bread cobb sgc 80 and my tip top bread wagner scg 70 or my 1887 oj keefe sgc 92

For PSA 3-4
those are very nice looking cards !

Robert

Thank you Robert. Very much appreciated......

Awesome Calvindog and Tony!
______________

It was around this time, collecting early to mid-eighties, that I asked my friend while we walked to our little league park if he thought there was any such thing as a real Babe Ruth card from his playing days. He, nor anyone else, knew if there was or not. Used to imagine what one would look like, with my template being black and white, some sort of action shot maybe.

So now, nearly thirty years later, I have a few. So this 80's card means a lot for a few reasons. A true entertainer on the mound with the Braves, stomping, raging behind the mound, finally delivering that 88 MPH puss.......The Mad Hungarian error card; It was a fairly big deal back then:

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...AlHrabosky.jpg

Great thread, w lots of GREAT cards and stories. My favorite two stories are the 52 Mantle dad pulled out of the pack back in the day, and the Ernie Banks story.

Far as the cards you have all shared, too many greats and rarities to single one out.

A few years ago we had a thread like this and I posted an N162 Anson that would NEVER leave my collection. Within 18 months it was gone. Today, I would say, this card will likely remain for a long time. I like the card and wouldn't want to spend the money for an upgrade, if one ever came available.

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/357...agnerfront.jpg

Mine is not a card it's a signed Nolan Ryan Ball the first thing baseball related my daddy ever gave me. I don't care if I'm on the street starving I will have that ball in my ragged coat pocket or shopping cart.

awesome!!!!!

Amazing card Darren!

Thanks Jeff, it's definately my cornerstone card.

+1, Darren and Jeff. That Wagner would nose its way into no worse than a tie in almost any collection re the one card that is kept to the very last. Great card!

Larry

Upgrading a card that nice would be nearly impossible anyway! Wow thanks for showing it!

Great Wagner card, Darren!

Cat
 

That is a great looking card! Previously Andy Baran's? Thanks for showing.

Tony

P.S. - Did you ever think of getting it reholdered by SGC? There seems to be a bigger gap than usual on the black insert. I'd be afraid that it would damage the border of the card. Just my opinion.

the mylar sleeve holds the card in place I'm sure.

This one
 

Very happy with this even though it's midgrade...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ntleholder.jpg

19th Century............

1888 (or 1889) GOODWIN CHAMPIONS album

<img src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/A36cover.jpg" alt="[linked image]">


Baseball player pages (of this 12-page album displaying 50 Sports Champions in exceptional lithography)

<img src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/Champions2.jpg" alt="[linked image]"><img src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/Champions3.jpg" alt="[linked image]">



20th Century............

The last 5 card purchase from my youth of a 5-cent Topps pack in the Fall of 1952

<img src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/mmantle52t.jpg" alt="[linked image]"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt113/zanted86/52tchapmjeffhermspenc.jpg" alt="[linked image]">



TED Z

I never tire of seeing that Wagner, Darren. A fantastic card in a fantastic collection.