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Originally Posted by seablaster
I appreciate your response.
I agree that these cards represent an aspect of the history of baseball and of America in general; part of me even felt conflicted throwing out 1989 Topps cards.
That being said, these Titus cards are the property of the buyer and I feel they are within their right to destroy them if they wanted to. Would it be unfortunate? Definitely. Would other collectors be angry if they were destroyed? Absolutely...but I don't think it's unethical.
I think the market manipulation accompanied by hoarding is an interesting one. The hoarder puts himself in difficult situation; the more they acquire, the competition will become more significant, and prices paid will move upward accordingly. Case in point, the Obak Miller.
I don't think destroying them would realize the most gain for the hoarder. I think the only way it could be done is as already suggested. Hoard them and then slowly bleed them out into the marketplace while perceived scarity and demand continue to make them valuable.
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Oh, 1989 Topps! We must be the same age. I loved those cards. Sadly, they were--as you know--massively over produced. As a result, I can't see any ethical issue with trashing them. Just sentimental, maybe...
I'm glad that you noted the property rights issue. That's also interesting. However, I'm of the inclination that property rights should--at some point-- succumb to historical value, at least for some items. I hold the T206 set in high regard. I want my kids' kids to see and enjoy them (in person, not in a museum). So, the historical value is--for me--high enough to check my personal property right to destroy them. For me, what provides that "check" is ethics.
Regarding the buying-and-selling vs. buying-and-destroying, from a market perspective I have to admit that it would be really interesting to see what would be more profitable. If the hoarder could get a following/story/myth going about the Titus card, it would be very interesting to see how far up the T206 rarity list he/she could drive the card.