Quote:
Originally Posted by reddog4063
Never really understood the facination with venies. Is it just rarity? Maybe some people grew up there and remember these fondly? Seems pretty esoteric otherwise.
|
For me it's a couple of factors. First, they are beautiful cards by my standards. They primarily all look well loved and are kind of mini works of art as a result. Second, it's cool to me that Topps would release these in the 50s and 60s in a far away country. Some boy or girl would treasure it for years. And then it would somehow make its way to me--typically directly thorough Venezuela. If you want one of these, you generally have a limited number of people you can get them from. Third, these cards actually matter. You've picked up a 1960 Mantle from Topps. Not impressive and not something I can't do by turning to eBay and spending a $100. Oh, it has great centering. Fantastic. Here's a $130 for it. Well, if you want a 1960 Venezuelan Mantle you are going to have to message Larry from Florida and get on his radar. Your also going to have to try Mark from Brooklyn and send a note to Kelly. Maybe one of them gets one in and messages you. Maybe a random, one off seller posts one on eBay and you are able to hit buyitnow before one of the numerous other people that need it get it. Well, you now have a card that not every can get. That's pretty cool. Fourth, they are fantastic conversation pieces and a number of people--including my local card shop when I lived in NY--were completely unaware the issue even exists. Finally, no player collection is complete without them.
Collect what you love. For me, my favorite cards are my Venezuelans.