If you have 20k in cash and want to invest in one post-war card...
 

Which would you target? Why?

_________ Ty Cobb

Or

Joe Dimaggio Zeenut with Coupon (batting or throwing)

The twist on this question is that the card to invest in is POST-WW2. Even if I had that kind of cash to flash, I would not invest in postwar, because I am not that familiar with it, and I could possibly get hosed.

Brian

I would diversify and buy 3 cards.
$10k in something iconic like a Magie (T206 have proven safe investment)
$5k in a Ruth Goudey(green or red)
$5k in a CJ Cobb(pr-gd)

Those would all sell if needed, highly desirable and fun to look at. Probably a better argument to buy one higher grade card, but not as fun.

If strictly post war - Mantle, Mays, Robinson.

I think you should always start with some water front property: Goudey Ruth or Jackie Robinson rookie, which will fit either definition of whether post war is 1 or 2. I also think those are fairly safe cards to buy and pretty liquid.

1953 Topps Jackie Robinson in as high a grade as is possible.

So first, I'd narrow the scope down a bit, assuming this is strictly post-war:

• Stick with a main-stream issue for liquidity (demand) reasons
• Go with recognizable names - Mick, Willie, Jackie, Sandy, Hank, Roberto
• For supply sake, I'd focus on cards from the 1950s - early 1960s. Too much risk in the modern, shiny, stuff
• Buy the highest grade you can afford, but beware of altered/trimmed cards. If it doesn't look right, move on.

Given that criteria, I'd narrow it down to a few, again in the higher grades:

1952 Topps Willie Mays
1952 Topps Jackie Robinson
1955 Topps Roberto Clemente
1953 Topps Mickey Mantle
1954 Topps Hank Aaron
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson

And right now, given the above, I'd go with a '52 Mays.

Invest $20K
 

Here are some solid options. Remember, great eye appeal is a “must” for any purchase:

- A dead-centered PSA 5 1951 Bowman Mantle Rookie - way undervalued vs. it’s 1952 Topps Mantle peer. Lots of growth potential. But, it has to have 55/45 to 50/50 centering.

- A PSA 5 #53 Yellow Goudey Ruth or PSA 6 #144 or #149 Goudey Ruth - these cards are exploding in value and I really don’t see any end in sight. Especially the ones with super aesthetics. Nice Goudey Ruth’s are “Money in the bank”

- A PSA 6 T206 Ty Cobb Red Portrait; Bat On or Bat Off. Again, must be well-centered with bright colors. A Beautiful PSA 5 Green Portrait Cobb works as well. T206 Cobbs continue to rise in price, especially the examples that present extremely well. Put one or two away & watch your money grow. One of the classic cards in the hobby

- A super eye pleasing PSA 5/6 1948 Jackie Robinson Leaf Rookie. It may be the hottest card in the hobby right now. If you can find one for $15Kish, use the remaining $5K to purchase a 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson “Portrait” issue. It is Jackie’s “true” rookie card and was released in June/July 1947. - Jackie Robinson “rookie-era” card’s have no limits with regard to their investment potential. Jackie’s popularity is second to none and his early cards are on fire.

- a PSA 3 1914 Cracker Jack Cobb. In my opinion, one of the top 10 classic cards in the hobby. Cooled off somewhat with regard to pricing spikes, but it will certainly realize another pricing uptick in the next several years.

- a PSA 3 1948 Leaf Satchel Paige. One of the most desirable & significant cards in the hobby. A short-print that is so tough to find with great eye appeal. It MUST have superb resolution/registration & fine centering. Many examples have skewed images. Be patient & look for the right one.

- Early 1920s Babe Ruth Black & White issues. Try for a nice PSA 3 1921 E121 Ruth subject. It portrays Ruth in his classic pitching pose & wearing a Red Sox uniform (the image was actually taken in March 1915 so it is a true Ruth rookie image!). These black & white Ruth’s are still undervalued considering their rarity vs. Ruth goudeys. I firmly believe early 1920s Ruth Yankee cards will realize huge pricing spikes in the next 3-5 years.

- a very nice PSA 1.5/2 1909 E90-1 Joe Jackson rookie card. Simply stated, you cannot go wrong w/a “Shoeless Joe” rookie. It will continue to experience a steady rise in value.

Note, these are just a handful of examples to invest your $20K. Obviously there are so many more options, but the ones I suggested are bona-fife “sure things.” You also might want to consider buying some great modern cards like Jordan, James, MaHomes, Brady, Bryant, Trout, etc. since they are realizing some extraordinary price tags. If that is an option for you, speak with someone who is an authority on the high-end modern cards....it’s certainly not my area of expertise. With regard to vintage, blue chip immortals like Ruth, Cobb, Mantle, Robinson, Paige, Jackson, etc. are very safe investments. MOST IMPORTANT - please be very patient in finding exceptionally high-end eye appeal cards. That is the key for any issue. When you go to re-sell, you will definitely maximize your investment via aesthetically pleasing subjects. Great eye appeal translates to huge premiums paid for vintage cardboard. Good luck & happy hunting!

I thought the question was POST WAR....:confused:

1952 Topps Eddie Mathews, in as high a grade as 20K would get me.

Which war?

If you're talking WWI, that rules out the t206. The obvious answer is the 1933 Goudey yellow Ruth in as nice a grade as you can find.

If you're talking WWII, I'm not sure $20k will get you an unaltered 1952 Mantle. Assuming that's off the table I'd go with the 1951 Bowman Mays, the 1952 Topps Robinson, or the 1954 Aaron. I don't think there's a clear winner (or loser) among those 3.

I'll throw a curveball here and include the 2011 Topps Update Trout. You could probably snag a nice cognac/diamond parallel. Technically it is post-war...

The way people are answering, I think it’s the Civil War.

If you mean post war in the traditional sense - WWII- than 48 leaf Paige or Jackie; 48 Bowman Musial; 51 Bowman mantle or Mays.

I wouldn't spend 20K on one post war card. I don't think it would be satisfying. But the obvious answer has to be a 52 Mantle.

So much risk in Trout's. He gets injured or experiences a late career like Pujols that cards takes a nosedive

[QUOTE=Rhotchkiss;2001854]The way people are answering, I think it’s the Civil War.

:)

The 2001 Bowman still sells for a pretty penny.

darby chocales christy mathewson

Same here.

1954 Topps Aaron, PSA 8 (may be closer to $25k)

Michael Jordan Ultra Stars Gold variation. Rarest of his inserts and is only going up.

I think he is talking modern....
 

I'll throw this out there and cover all the bases: all safe to still potential gains
20 K to mix it up or a combo.....I think these are sure bets:confused::confused:



pre WWI:safe

T206 Green Cobb
T206 Red back rare back Cobb
T206 Magie
anything Ruth if affordable...


post WWI:


Anything Ruth ....maybe all the Goudey '33s or combo??? pretty safe

post WWII: safe

51 bowman mantle
52 Topps Mantle



Modern: (80's on up)

86 Fleer Jordan(I know it's basketball:))I have always wanted one, but wind up buying baseball:D
93 Jeter SP
2009 Bowman Chrome Trout(a gamble risking injury)

anything later than Trout , to hard to predict....



Thoughts on my picks?????:)

dietsche cobb fielding rookie

52 Topps Mantle.

Honorable Mention to 51 Bowman Mantle and 48 Leaf Robinson.


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I miss read the question at 1am. I thought this was the PreWar section.

2009 Mike Trout Bowman Autograph with a pop under 5.

Get a star Jordan rookie in high grade.

This:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20portrait.jpg

But in as nice a grade as I could afford with $20K.

I would see if Crazy Uncle is looking for investors. Those guys are really going places.

51 Bowman Mays or 48 Leaf Jackie.

I feel like Mays hasn’t got the bump the Robinson’s have yet though.

I’d buy 250 Manny Ramirez rookie cards in PSA10.

One card? ... I'd have to decide between the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle and 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson.

Since you said post war, I would have to say a 1951 Bowman Mantle card. Has picked up a lot of interest and is his true rookie card. Frank

I Agree
 

I agree with a nice 52 Topps Mantle Grade 2-3
Also 54 Aaron rookie

20k
 

Ton if good suggestions here... i’d toss a solid centered 1939 playball ted williams into the mix.

Highest graded 1953 Topps Mantle I could find.. Any money left over I'd buy a nice '86 Fleer Jordan..

Mantle, Clemente or Jackie Robinson. Those are the top 3 postwar players. 1953 Topps Mantle (the 51 B and 52 T are too expensive and you would have to buy a lower grade card), 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente Rookie Card or 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson Rookie Card(a couple months ago the 1949 Leaf would be the pick but it has taken a huge jump and now you would have to buy a lower grade example).

Jackie Robinson 1948-49 Leaf! anything Jackie has upside with this hobby

This card would be my #1 choice for 20k, but only because a nice 52T Mantle cant be had for 20k. For the Jackie, focus less on the grade and more on centering and registration. A lot of ugly 48 Leaf Jackies out there, nice ones with good eye appeal are hard to find and command a premium. Some collectors think the 48 Leaf Jackie may sell for 52T mantle prices in the future. Both are the top two post war cards in my opinion.

A eye appealing PSA 5 48/49 leaf jackie is far more than 20k now. An ugly PSA 4 just went for nearly 16k at Goldin.

It wouldn't be baseball. I'd buy the highest graded 1980-81 Bird/Magic rookie I could find.

Strictly baseball, high grade late 60's Mantle.

Buy a '54 Topps Aaron in PSA 8. You may have to borrow four or five grand but it'll be worth it.

Great thread! I hope pricing trends stay positive this time next year....

Was going to say a 1948 Bowman Satchell Paige PSA 9 - but $20.k won't get it. So perhaps the best 1952 Topps Willie Mays or Jackie Robinson you can get. Or super high end 1948 Leaf Ted Williams.

Some people are demanding that great centering is a must for something like this, but cards like the '52 T Mantle (or any quality vintage, really) don't necessarily underperform as investments simply because they are fairly off-centered.

Looking at PSA's sales records for that Mantle: an average PSA 3 with decent centering has gone from 7-8 k to 30-35 k in the last 10 years. With the typical 75/25 to 80/20 in one or both directions for that card sometimes, it would've sold for about 6 k back then, and goes for 25 k today.

I had to extrapolate a little for that last one back around 2010 (because I couldn't find an example that really fit that centering bill without a qualifier), but since 60/40 to 65/35ish PSA 3s went for 7000-8000, and the cheapest 3 anywhere went for 5600, I think 6000 would be pretty close.

So, all PSA 3s quadrupled since then. As have all the various grade 4-7 versions of it during the last 10 years too

Basically if you bought any reasonable '52T Mantle in anywhere close to mid-grade in recent years, you've gotten about the same bang for your buck, regardless of the specifics of the card. Even though it seems like many people's compulsion about centering would be a big factor, that hasn't been the case.

This video backs up your comment above - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KBGdGCe4E_Y

I agree with Bond Bread Robinson, or any major player from that set. It includes some big name stars.

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If....
Then I'd hope I talk myself out of it.

Don't invest in baseball cards. Recognize it's a hobby... a piece of cardboard, a bookmark. Buy a card for some intrinsic value: who it depicts, the history of the set it's in, how it was printed, the year of the card as it's tied with something the player or his team accomplished that year... but recognize that it's not an investment.

Here are investments...

An education
A home
Mutual funds
gold or silver bullion (not coin collecting)
Stocks, if you're gonna pay attention to the market, the company...
Bonds

If you're in your 20's and have that 20k to invest, I suggest this investment. Drive out into the country and find 5 acres to buy (this won't work in desert areas, some mountainous areas, so this terrain might not be available). Buy five acres, then plant a bunch of hardwood saplings. Walnut, Cherry, some kind of hardwood trees. Get an agricultural extension agent to get you information and advice. You'll have to go tend them the first year or two; maybe water them or protect them from rabbits or deer. After a few years you can leave them to their own, they'll grow. Wait 30 to 40 years (this is why you need to me a young investor). Then hire someone to harvest the trees and get them to a mill or market. This investment will yield money enough for retirement, putting grandkids through college and/or helping with a down payment on a home... and you still have the 5 acres that you could either sell or convince a grandkid to plant some hardwood saplings.

I'm all about collecting old ball cards. It just bothers me when I hear someone "needs" a certain card. I say it sometimes. I don't need the card, maybe I want it. When I hear a sorority girl say that she invested in some Guess jeans, or a guy investing in a motorcycle, or someone investing in a pontoon boat... or such. Those aren't investments. An investment is something that you and others recognize will grow in value for which there will remain a ready market. You have to live somewhere, so a home is a necessity, it's a special form of investment. An education is special, to... it doesn't mean you'll make more money, it does increase employment opportunities. The rest of the investments need to be something you're willing to part with. You could sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds. A certificate of deposit could be cashed in... do you really wanna be selling baseball cards as you would a few shares of stock? No, you'll be attached to the cards.

Invest in investments, not hobbies.

This response seems very out of touch and dated.

This is unusual, but great advice. I wish I had done this when I was young. The only danger, and I've heard of this happening, is that when the stand of hardwoods reaches maturity, thieves might come in and cut them down, if the land is too remote for you to keep an eye on.

I was at a bar once, about 25 years ago, and this old guy sitting next to me started telling me about a stand of mature black walnut trees he knew of, that were worth thousands of dollars. My entrepreneurial mind starts racing, and I'm thinking, maybe I could buy land like that cheap, and then harvest the trees off it. But the guy would never tell me where it was...

Anyway I agree. Buy land and plant valuable trees, or buy a rental property and build equity. Gambling on a piece of cardboard is not an investment as much as it is a gamble.

That said, early 1950s Mays, Aaron, Clemente would be my best gambles.

Cherry Tree Grove, or Robert Pre-Rookie
 

I know which one I would rather have...

Actually it sounds like an excellent response from someone with life experience that isn't swayed by what Gary Vee is telling people to buy this week,

[QUOTE=Vintageclout;2001831]Here are some solid options. Remember, great eye appeal is a “must” for any purchase:

- A dead-centered PSA 5 1951 Bowman Mantle Rookie - way undervalued vs. it’s 1952 Topps Mantle peer. Lots of growth potential. But, it has to have 55/45 to 50/50 centering.


I value your opinion, what do you think of this stained but very nice looking Mantle RC at around 8k on Ebay?

Just curious, I was contemplating it but the stains.......let me know what you think about future value on this one, thanks! Peace, Mike

Attachment 411051

Except the fact that buying 5 acres of land for $20k isn’t even remotely possible in easily 50% of the country. A quick google search shows that successful stories like this are extremely few and far between and more of an “old wives tale” than a reasonable source of income.

Not sure what Gary Vee has to do with anything though.

I’d love to go back 20-30 years and buy some vintage baseball cards. You could be very close to a millionaire if you kept the right cards until today...There’s not much else you could “invest” in that would give that type of return.

55T Jackie Robinson and 49 Leaf Satchel Paige

Anything Jackie Robinson and the 52T Mantle appear to be the early majority here and rightfully so.

Good luck with that. We planted Walnut trees on a piece of family farm land 40 years ago. Asked a friend who owns a tree service and he says he has wood he has saved from trees that he has cut down and no one wants to buy it. Can’t sell the farm land. Can’t sell our house after a job transfer. Real estate is a terrible investment. I wish I had invested it all in old baseball cards and just rented. At least my cards are easy to sell and I will be set for retirement.

The best '54 Bowman Ted Williams I could find. Love that card and its' story.

I do agree $20k for 5 acres seems highly under priced. In WA State, most rural areas have 10 acre minimums for subdivision. Thus 5 acres would be closer to a city, increasing the property value significantly.

However, regardless of price, the advice to invest in land that is usable is good advice in and of itself.

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No, it's not. It's mostly conjecture.

I'm not going to break it all down, because that would take forever. But a couple of highlights: the lack of enough intrinsic value does not mean that something is not an "investment". Many collectibles, including comic books and baseball cards, have had a generally strong and liquid market for at least 40 years now. Anyone not categorizing goods like those as investments being highly unrealistic.

Sure you could lose your shirt if something highly unexpected goes really wrong. Just like you if you bought GE stock in the last 20 years (which was considered for decades to be the hallmark of a "safe", low risk stock of an impenetrable conglomerate behemoth). Or if you ventured into the restaurant business and that new place went belly up.

And yes, I know, diversification and the long term returns of the overall stock market. But tell me how your stock portfolio did if you needed to grow you money from 1930 to 1950. Or from 1960 to 1980. Even if you could count on the future results of the market being as amazing as the last 100 years overall (which you can't, or even close), there could easily be long problematic periods that ruin your expectations.

Anyway....there is nothing wrong at all with conflating hobby and investment. And that's how many of them function, regardless of what anyone's opinion is.

But there's a lot wrong with categorizing all these different ventures that fit the conventional wisdom of "investment" as rock solid ideas that could never hurt you that badly, while brushing off other ideas that not even be any riskier in the end.

Uh, I guess you read the original post, huh.... :p didn't really specify "which" war...

Ana.....
 

Oh....War in Afghanistan? I'd go with a shiny Zion then.......oh wait 20K can't buy one! lol :D

Peace, Mike

Or 2000 - 2009 when 10 year Bond Yields were beating the market! (2000-2009 my dad refers to as the lost decade)

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Mmm
 

Franks response is 100% spot on. Collecting is a lot more fun than investing or selling on eBay.

Walnut trees
 

That is interesting. In this area of Wisconsin we can easily get $1000 or more for a mature walnut tree.

Any answer that does not conclude with one card produced between 1945 and 2020 obviously does not answer the OP's question.

this
 

Walnut still pulls a premium in SE WA too!

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As noted above, his response is nearly the opposite of spot on. There's no point in breaking down even more of the misconceptions than I already did. Others have already gotten into major possible issues with the real estate and tree part of it since.

Yep, if someone wants to collect for just the fun of it, then that's great. But that has nothing to do with the viability of cards functioning as an investment, or so much else that was said.

That probably comes from the general views of the crowd that doesn't like talking heads like Gary Vee causing price increases and possible speculative bubbles.

It's as if the very shiny other side of that coin (it causing your own cards to go up in value and providing more liquidity for the market) doesn't even matter much.

Too easy to focus on just the negative sometimes, I guess

completely agree...but that's not a very nice 5 so 20k may get you that specific card. No way a nice psa 5 is less than 20k, but a 48L Jackie is the way to go for sure.

Yep, sound logic and common sense.... for the majority of us anyway.

I just wouldn't do it right now. The market is moving too fast which is normally a bad time to buy anything.

Gary Vee has brought in the Day Trading and Gambling "Bros". Hypes up junk wax to his huge audience to raise the prices and then dumps the mass quantities he bought dirt cheap. The bubble bursts on that card and he starts the cycle over again with another card.

A gentleman once told me that as a kid in 1953 he was taken to a Yankees game. He had saved money to buy stuff. Outside Yankee Stadium, on his way in, he saw a vender had 1952 Topps cards for sale. He bought a pack, and found they were high number cards, cards he and his friends didn't know existed... Mantle was in that pack. He pulled out his saved money and bought the whole box. I mention this to get to something he told me. In the long run, he'd have more value had he saved the box and all of the wrappers, kept them nice and protected, and thrown away the cards....

I'm a bit of a dinosaur and a curmudgeon. But golly, the mass printed cards of the 80s and 90s sure deflated a bunch of would be kid card collectors. COVID isn't helping. We need young kids to care about the game, its history, and old cardboard so we can sell this stuff to someone else one day...

If I had $20k to spend on collectables and I didn't need the money for living expenses, bills, debts, or investments.... I'd try to buy a green white border Cobb, an Old Judge Delehanty, and a T210 Stengel. But I wouldn't call that investing.

*** W600 Mr Christy Mathewson! ***

Very Limited in Both Quantity & Availability ~

And When They Make His Movie Depicting His & Mr McGraw's
Completely Different Live together Family Life Styles,
Durin' Their Playing Days...

"It'll SkyRocket!!!"

You Jus Need to FiND One Now! :D

This is what I would buy.

Think we may need a primer on meaning of Post-War.

Correct me If I'm wrong, I always thought Post-War referred to WWII. At least that's what I've been led to believe.

It does, but many people are listing prewar cards, not postwar cards.

Of course it is. An "investment" plan that's highlighted by the assumption of buying real estate for a fraction of market value (and then going to the trouble of managing what's going on with the planting and eventual selling off of trees for 30 years).....that's much more logical than putting away a '52 Mantle for a long time.

It's one thing to go along with his many misconceptions about the topic. But it's simply comical to snidely hint that those who disagree aren't using sound logic or common sense

This one would have just fit into your budget @ $19,350

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-Leaf-J...4AAOSwdg9fEzlw

Whatever it is, make sure it was not sold by pwcc. In the future, and currently, at least a minority of collectors are avoiding cards previously sold through them.

I'd go with a solid centered Aaron RC, or 52 May's. Both will come into the spot light in the next decade.