Upgrading '33 Goudey

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Posted By: peter chao

I've made some strides on my '33 Goudey set, now I'm working on upgrading some of the cards. Normally I don't wait to complete the set before I upgrade. It's a practical approach, I figure the cards are just going to get more expensive if I wait. Right now I've got most of the commons and the Hall of Famers in about VG, which cards should I upgrade first?

Also, it took me over 6 months to get this far, I'd like to complete the upgrade faster if I can. What's a good approach?

Peter C.

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Posted By: JK

When putting together my e93 set, I upgraded as the opportunity presented itself - and still look to occasionally upgrade.

With the goudey's, you can be much more patient since there are plenty of nicer examples to go around. That being the case, if you think prices are just going up (I actually thought goudey prices were a little soft, but I dont follow the set) I would go after HOFers first.

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Posted By: Paul S

Peter, I'm trying to figure out if you're losing any money in the long run. Here's how I see it: Six months is not that long a time to be working on the set, yet it sounds like to me that you are making good headway in the amount of cards you are purchasing. Are you buying cards just to amass them, cards that at that moment don't really satisfy you, and already knowing you will upgrade? Because to me it would seem you have to pay the sellers' profit twice, the first and second times you buy each card -- plus shipping, taxes, etc. Wouldn't it be cheaper to hold out for something you could live with for a while?

Re your question on what to upgrade first -- go for the Lajoie

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Posted By: peter chao

Paul S.,

I wish I had a Lajoie. But seriously, the way I look at it, it's okay to obtain a card in a less than desireable grade. However, you need to make sure it is card that fit's into your collection. Wouldn't it be great if you could afford to collect two identical sets.

Then if you wanted to, you could sell a set and keep a set just to look at?

Peter C.

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Posted By: Eric Brehm

Peter -- do you collect the '33 Goudey cards raw or graded? What condition range do you want to upgrade to?

My experience is limited to PSA-graded cards in the NM and up range, but what I have found is that prices on the HOFers (64 out of 240 cards) are relatively stable over time and that SMR is a pretty good indicator of what you can expect to pay. The same is true of the more plentiful common cards. If I'm correct on that, it won't make much difference if you get them now or wait.

With scarcer commons in the higher grades, there is more volatility due to continuing competition for the lower population ones. Depending on which card it is and who happens to need it for their set, sometimes you will get a reasonable deal on the card, and other times you will have to fight it out.

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Posted By: peter chao

Well, Eric, I like to buy my cards ungraded, but for the key cards I prefer graded cards.

So far, I haven't purchased any Goudey's for over a $1,000 so I expect it to get pricey soon.

Very seldom do I see the first series cards in a condition better than very good.

Peter C.

[Archive]

Posted By: Eric Brehm

The low number series (#'s 1-40 and 45-52, i.e. the cards that were printed on the first two production sheets) is definitely tough in high grade, and these cards do command a significant premium. In particular there is the #1 Bengough card, which has been discussed here in the past, and several HOFers including Dazzy Vance, Paul Waner, and Jimmie Foxx. And the low pop commons from that series often sell for thousands of dollars in PSA 8. Maybe they aren't too expensive though if you shoot for EX or EX-MT condition.