If you had $1000 to spend on one card, what would it be?
 

Post-war obviously

A nice 1954 Aaron (need for my PC) or a 1952 Jackie Robinson.

A decent 59 Bazooka Mantle or 54 Dan Dee Mick.

Being a diehard Mets collector, I would upgrade my Seaver rookie.

Though I am not a huge Mantle fan, I still love his 1960 Topps card and I would buy the sharpest raw/natural card I could find.

Ed M. you read my mind on the Aaron. That is what I am considering buying, found one in NM for a little over a grand.
I am considering selling a very tough to find minor league card of Derek Jeter for $1200 (cost me nothing, have had it since I was a kid) to purchase an iconic card. I do hate to part with the Jeter however...

Sgc40 1953 topps mantle

1954 Bowman Ted Williams

honorable mention: 1971 Topps Roberto Clemente

Seeing as how I cannot find any of the actual cards I need, regardless of price, if I had a grand I had to spend on a card it would like be a Mantle Plak Checklist or a New York Journal Mantle.

1959 Bazooka Banks or Ashburn

Shawn, that is a tough call. The Aaron is a safe buy because, if anything, it may be undervalued a bit. The Jeter, however, is quite different. It could skyrocket once he retires and approaches HOF induction. Who know? You are in an envious position, however, because either way you will have a card should stand the test of time. Good luck!

1952 Topps Billy Martin Rookie or the '52 Topps Berra, in as high a grade as I could get.

I would put this $$$ toward a 1953-54 Briggs Meats panel of Portefield & Runnels because Pete Runnels was my favorite Wash. Senators player when I was a kid. Here's what this 2-card panel looks like:

1949 Bowman Satchell Paige

One recently sold on this board, that I wanted but didn't have the funds available.

That would be my choice or the nicest 53 Campy I could find then I would bust it out of the holder and put it in a screw case :)

1948 Bowman Stan Musial!

hummmmm....
 

Probably the Satchel Paige Bowman or Leaf card....yep....that would do.

Now, who is sending me the 1K??

Trade the Jeter!!!

Be careful
 

Of screw downs. They have ruined far more cards than any slab I know of.

some form of the 1951 bowman Mays
 

for sure, a card I would like to add...
2nd choice: 1952 Topps Eddie Mathews
3rd choice: 1952 Topps Campanella
also consider: 1954 Hank Aaron, 1950 Bowman Jackie Robinson, 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson

How exactly? I can't recall ever having a problem with a non-recessed screw-down holder. I have recently purchased a partial 1941 Play Ball set (60/72) which is vgex-ex overall. For the most part, this is a clean, crease-free set. I was considering putting them all in screw-downs. Should I do something else?

Screwdowns have ben discussed before but in my opinion they are a fine way to protect and display some of your nicer cards. Like all manner of ways to display and protect cards you need to be careful in the way you use them.
The first thing is to not tightened the screws all the way down. The plastic case needs to be firm enough to keep the card from sliding around but not so tight that it crimps the corners.

The next thing, like all cards, is how and where to store them. If they are going to be in a box in an attic or basement then the temperature fluxuation an humidity difference can make part or all of the card's surface stick to the case which obviously can cause huge problems down the road.

A room with controlled temperature, humidity and light is the best place for them.

I have personally seen Chris' (campyfan) collection and he knows how to use them properly. He has dozens of cards stored and displayed in them. Look at the photos of his card room on his page if you want to see an impressive way to display a collection.

They are not for everyone but if use right I have never had any issue with any of them.

Drew

not to hijack a great thread but.....

you can send all of your dangerous and unwanted screw downs to me :)

I'd have to vote for a 1952 Bowman Mantle. It's right around $1K in a SGC 80 grade. Or you could go for a 1953 Bowman Musial in PSA 8 for right around the target price. Either are iconic cards.

I'm working on the '56 Topps set, so I'd probably buy a nice Mantle.

Satchell Paige, 53 Topps. The best I could find for that price.

Always loved that card. I'm going to my first card show in about a year on Saturday. Maybe I'll get lucky!