Many 25 year old hobby enthusiasts can't believe that comps are really a new tool spurred by the internet. "Back in the day' you either went to your local drug store and bought a pack, hoping you might land your own grail, or trade with your buddies; no auctions, card shows, VCP, dealers and the like. Trading was the key for any player and we 7 year olds had a good eye for the card's quality. I still remembering haggling and moaning, trading my '51 Bowman Rizzuto for a Reese (I was a die-hard Dodgers fan). High drama.
I think, given the prices on pre-war now, that the return to trading might be one of the big hobby stories of 2023. Of course, this is dealers and auction houses worst nightmares. Suddenly they are longer controlling things. Tough shit.
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