1952 Topps Baseball

[Lee17]

Hi everyone,

I am currently collecting low grade 1952 Topps Baseball. Found a lot of deals(or what I think are deals) on commons. I have about 50 cards that range from G-VGEX. Basically I want nice eye appeal and a small wrinkle or crease is ok as long the price is right. My father keeps telling me to fork up the money and buy one or 2 PSA 5s a week instead of buying 3-5 low grade raw cards. I doubt I will ever complete a low grade set...let alone a PSA 5 set.

What I'm asking is this: for investment purposes, a) is my father right and go the PSA 5 route or b) will my raw low grade set (besides getting the big ones graded of course) still hold its value in the future? Right now I am collecting for the enjoyment again that I had as a kid in the late 80s, but I also have in the back of my head how much money I have spent on so far.

Any thoughts are welcome.

[Volod]

Do what the kid says.

[ALR-bishop]

Agree with Volod...collect for fun. I have been collecting since 1957, and it is still just a hobby for me. And, ungraded, they are easier to display and enjoy in a binder as you build it

But if the long term goal is investment/profit, Dad is likely correct

[steve B]

Go with the fun!

If you just want some decent looking cards to enjoy you're on the right track.

If the potential profit is the enjoyment then you might want to go a different route. For a strict investment 5s and 6s might be good. I'd have to look at pricing and see if they'd work though. As long as higher grade cards weren't out of reach, the lower ones won't increase much.
When grading took hold in a big way a lot of nice cards got cheaper.

Steve B

[doug.goodman]

You collect pieces of paper (as do most of us), have FUN with it (as do many of us).

Doug

[Republicaninmass]

I am working ona low graded/raw 52 set and I think these cards will increase in value if centering and eye appeal is there. I understand beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think you get the drift. Good luck in your quest!