Despite the skyrocketing prices of sports cards & memorabilia...

[kevlar7]

Despite the skyrocketing prices of sports cards and memorabilia, might there be great amazing deals out there on certain items? I would compare it to a magician performing a slight-of-hand trick. With collectors mesmerized by the incredibly fast moving card market in front of them, could there be items sitting in the corner that no one is paying attention to. Items that may be unique, overlooked, or forgotten about for now.* I think this current market may be presenting an opportunity to see what else is out there.*
My personal feeling is that I see an under appreciation*for*period-issued paper items that were not meant to survive 100+ years or more.

I would love to know if others think anything in the collectables world is "hiding in plain site".*

Although not 100 years old, this order form for a Gehrig book was picked up for $25.

[Snapolit1]

As the years have gone by, I am much more interested in owning a 1-1 interesting paper item than another piece of cardboard . I have some Gehrig 1 of 1 items that are so cool they blow me away. However, I don't know if there is or ever will be a robust market for certain things. Only recently I obtained a 3 page typed letter that Lou either typed (might be unlikely) or dictated to someone (Eleanor?). It's an amazing historical document about his dispute with the NY Daily News, clearly a 1 of 1. But is it something other people are going to go insane to own? I don't know. (Not that I really care right now.) Cards have a clear market place, they have population reports, and have websites that track prices. Without these sorts of information points, I'm not sure that cool one of a kind memorabilia pieces will really go insane like we've seen with cards. It's true 2 guys might always go to war over something (i.e., 1986 Buckner Mookie baseball), but cards seem to have a broader demand. Bragging rights in owning the 1 of 1 PSA 9 or 10 get a lot of people excited. Obviously enough.

[joshuanip]

I take the other side, rarity is a huge factor no doubt, but popularity and liquidity is also as important, perhaps more important longer term... look no further than the 52 mantle.

If it’s too obscure, people may not know about it and would not have the turnover to generate the velocity of eye popping gains - like a small cap value trap in the stock market (before it became the clown show we are in today).

[Exhibitman]

Look at boxing; the wave is just starting there.

[joshuanip]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Look at boxing; the wave is just starting there.

I’ve got a joe Louis rookie waiting for our turn!

[Hankphenom]

It's one of the things that makes collecting memorabilia so exciting, IMO, the universe is unknowable and constantly expanding. And I can tell you from decades of experience, there are always incredible opportunities just around the corner if you're looking for them.

[brianp-beme]

This 1932 newspaper illustration cost me probably less than $10 several years ago, and my guess it would still be reasonably priced if offered today. Cool as any Ruth card I own. I imagine there are plenty of other Ruth related paper items still out there that are just as interesting and relatively inexpensive...I have just given up searching.

Brian

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by joshuanip

I’ve got a joe Louis rookie waiting for our turn!

Which one?

[joshuanip]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Which one?

This guy. I literally found him in my shoebox from what was left from my first collection.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by joshuanip

This guy. I literally found him in my shoebox from what was left from my first collection.

love the pioneering slab!!!

[jbsports33]

When searching through paper and magazines, you can always find something fun and seems to be less expensive these days compared to cards and autos.

I have also done well with early photos the past two years, and found some great items sports and non sports!

Jimmy

[Exhibitman]

That's the more desirable one for sure. You might want to get that into a reputable slab first, or even bust it out and sell it raw. Hager graded cards are notorious for being trimmed. I would not spend big $$ on one of his slabs.

[JLange]

Originally Posted by kevlar7

My personal feeling is that I see an under appreciation*for*period-issued paper items that were not meant to survive 100+ years or more.

I would love to know if others think anything in the collectables world is "hiding in plain site".*

There are some truly amazing items out there that are not competing directly with more recognizable sports cards, and can be had for a bargain. These paper items are often unknown or seldom seen, and highly collectible in my book, even if there is low probability for significant price appreciation. I am as happy to find something like these as I am finding any card on my wantlist!

[kevlar7]

These are some incredible items. Here is one more.

[BeanTown]

20.00 little find in eBay

[puckpaul]

I think older jerseys are very undervalued. They are few in number and a real connection to the past.

[Exhibitman]

These 1930s Sports Stamps newspaper issues are sleepers too:






PSA grades the Detroit ones but refused to grade the Chicago ones. Weird.

[TheBig6]

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