Quote:
Originally Posted by drcy
The "major national set" rule was when most people collected Topps. It's an out of date rule. There's no reason "other" cards can't be considered "real" rookie cards, other than antiquated convention.
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I agree. Beckett made the rule, whether or not some collectors helped contribute to the rule is unknown, but ultimately Beckett made that determination.
The reasoning of "it must be in a national issued set so more people could sell it/collect it", doesn't really mean anything or add any value to it. It seems more like applying artificial importance, adding a contrived value.
Paying more for a card simply because Beckett proclaimed it his true rookie seems rather silly.
It does make sense to pay more for a card because it is more rare than the 'Beckett decreed Rookie'. Hence why 1984 fleer updates sell for more than any of his 1985 rookies(which Beckett decress as the true rookie).
Ultimately, everyone has a shot at any card anyway, regardless if it is regional issue or not. The internet pretty much made regional issues irrelevant anyway. They are ALL available to anyone....just have to pony up the money.
In the end, buy the better card. Cards can have many appealing attributes that can contribute to the desire to own one, with scarcity being one of them. Just because the collecting community is unaware of these cards that pre-date the 'Beckett rookies', doesn't make them non rookies. It makes them diamonds in the rough
...diamonds made before the 'Beckett Rookies'.
So if someone wants to call the 1985 Donruss Roger Clemens his true rookie card....who cares, it doesn't mean you have to listen to them. If thats what they want to call it, so be it. You are just as welcome to call the 1984 Fleer update his true rookie card.
Learning about new rookie cards existence should be a delight to collectors who have only listened to the 'maintstream' explanation. That grows the hobby too, and is far more appealing to many who have only known the stuff that is common to find.