[MattyC]

Hi MBM,

I couldn't agree more about the "no-doubt" HOFers being in a special class as far as their cards being so beloved and iconic-- the first ones collectors reach for, to put in a collection. The unopened 70s situation also is a nuance in play.

Yet another factor beyond all those we've all mentioned thus far (and of course it's impossible to quantify how much each of these play into the situation) is how the myriad scandals associated with today's athletes shine an even more Rockwellian light on past era's heroes.

With the PEDs and murder trials that abound, there seems to be such a glaring lack of iconic cultural heroes the likes of Gehrig, DiMaggio, Clemente, Musial, etc. No one doubts that Schmidt and Brett were clean, hitting 500 HR and batting .390 respectively. Combine that with nostalgia for men now having some disposable income...

Also, I can't help but noticing how the news these days is all about mortality stories-- whether it's a family in a hot air balloon or Gandolfini or people on a train or a plane-- there's just so much proof out there that life can be short. And so for me at least there's an impulse to enjoy oneself-- and cards can at least be sold and put some money back in your pocket, whereas an expensive dinner or plane ticket or article of clothing, not so much.

I'd be happy if cards cost a ton less, I'll be happy if they stay the same, and I'll be okay if they rise a little or a lot. Guess it's all good.

It's also interesting to see that so many cards are pretty scarce when one really scrutinizes the card and does not just buy a desired grade. The recent Brett that PWCC sold for example, I was so pumped when I first laid eyes on it, then I found a glaring fisheye smack in the center of the card that I knew would haunt me. There's a 4SC 9 up now with rough centering. So sheer pop numbers can be deceiving when one factors in demand and specific taste.

There was a Schmidt RC too recently on ebay; first saw it and got fired up, then saw a PD within the black framing around the Schmidt cell, and it just killed it for me. Considering what these all go for now, when dropping the money on a 9 one really wants it to be a high-end 9.

The 74 Schmidt is also something of a sneaky beast, in that nearly every 9 I encounter has serious tilt and l/r centering issues. I've always liked second year cards, when it is the first solo card of a guy whose RC was a multi-face. For example, 79 Murphy and Molitor, or 69 Ryan, 68 Seaver and Carew, 64 Rose, etc.