[Exhibitman]

I tend to agree with Steve. Collectors have a mentality, a sickness, really, that causes them to collect in the first place. As they get more involved they branch out chasing the high. The modern market does skew younger and those collectors are likely to turn to older cards. I started with the current Topps issues and made my way back to prewar over the years. That said, I also agree that as specific populaces age and either quit or pass away, certain segments of collecting will lose some of their market. The boomers are starting to age out of collecting while the Gen Xers are starting their peak earning years. I'd not be surprised to see average 1950s stuff lose some of its appeal relative other things as its audience ages out. Not the truly iconic sets like 1952 Topps or iconic cards--those have lives of their own apart from narrow niche collectors. I'd not be surprised if the 1970s does better as guys like me rebuild their childhood collections, which started with busting the annual Topps wax packs in the 1970s.