Funny you should mention it
The other day I looked at the 33 Goudey 144 Ruth with a combined pop (PSA and SGC) of I think about 2,000 cards - my first thought was that is a "large" supply. Then for the first time I started thinking how many collectors and dealers have been at the nationals I've been to and the larger regional shows and the many multiples of collectors and dealers who weren't there. Then throw in the new investors and all of a sudden for a player who's name is synonymous with baseball and a card that is essentially one of the "poster cards" for the hobby and all of a sudden 2,000 examples started sounding like a ridiculously small population compared to all the people who would likely like to own one!
Some other incredible cards with REALLY low pops
1921 Ruth Exhibit - Combined pop under 200
1933 Delong Gehrig - Combined pop 329
1968 3D Clemente - combined pop 79
There are many INCREDIBLE cards with single and low double digit pops - I am fortunate to own a few - I have found however that the incredible limited availability often seems to hurt the cards market value - presumably because they are so obscure - most collectors "don't bother" putting them on their wantlists or "radar".
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