[QUOTE=JustinD;2380029]
On the other hand, if it's something you never see or pops up once a blue moon...then it's always the time to buy or live with regret while you wait the next 10 years for the next one.
THIS IS VERY GOOD ADVICE. READ THIS STATEMENT OF JUSTIND'S 6 TIMES, TO COMMIT IT TO MEMORY, OR BETTER YET, WRITE IT DOWN ON A PIECE OF CARDBOARD AND PLACE IN VIEW OF YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN.
Personally, I have waited for some things to pop up for years, and years, AND years. When they did, I did not quibble. Then there have been things I never knew existed, or things I never thought would pop up for sheer rarity, and they all of a sudden popped up----I did not let the sun go down on the chance; the item became mine THAT DAY. One of my favorite examples was a 1962 JELL-O Mickey Mantle box, unfolded, in the rare Apple flavor no less. I spotted it in the center of one of Mr. Mint Alan Rosen's All-State display cases at the big Philly show in the fall of 1988, on the first night, WITHIN THE FIRST HOUR. Alan and I discussed it a little bit. SOLD! It came from a find of 85 of those unfolded boxes, and there was only 1 of each player involved. So, this was the ONLY Mickey Mantle. I was a rare, exotic, non-mainstream Mickey Mantle maniac. I bought it, right then, right there, even though I knew nothing about where it came from. My collecting instincts said this must be a rare regional / food item. This time my instincts were right.
Bringing this back to PRE-WAR, if any of you lads come across a 1910 Washington Times Ty Cobb, or a 1920 Headin' Home Babe Ruth, you had better not leave the table it's on, or the computer screen offering it; you best do something if you want it.
Then again, he's looking for mid-grade, so if it's common as dirt, who cares?
The once, or twice, or thrice in a lifetime are in a league of their own. Few talk about them, for fear of creating more competition. If we're dealing with, let's say, common as dirt mid-grade rookie cards, then again, who cares? They'll still be around next year, in 10 years, in 25 years, in 50 years.....
Not all I've written is pertinent, but this is the type of subject that brings up many pieces of advice, prognostications, and memories good, bad, and ugly.
Let's all have a good Thursday.
--- Brian Powell