Vintage Undervalued Roookies

[ronniehatesjazz]

Are there any left at this point? I always thought Mays 51 Bowman was undervalued but just checked eBay and my god!! I can only come up with the list below and would love to see if you guys can add to the list or disagree with my picks.

1948(49?) Leaf Stan Musial
1949 Bowman Roy Campanella (I think almost all of his cards are undervalued)
1955 Topps Sandy Koufax (Very surprised his mid grade cards aren't higher)
1957 Topps Frank Robinson (Will it always be cheap?)
1965 Topps Joe Morgan
1968 Topps Johnny Bench

I have most of these cards and I'm a Reds fan, so I may be biased. What are your guys thoughts about others out there?

[jb67]

Bench is certainly a good buy at todays prices. I can only see his rookie card going up in the future. As Leon in known to say "every thread needs a card".

[dio]

1960 topps Carl Yastrzemski in psa/sgc/bvg 8, criminally undervalue

[rats60]

Musial, Bench and Schmidt would be my top 3. Brooks Robinson, Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal and Steve Carlton are also pretty cheap.

[Peter_Spaeth]

We've been saying these same cards are undervalued ever since I can remember. There's probably a reason. That said, my vote would be for Seaver. High number, very tough card to find without one thing or another wrong, vastly underrated pitcher, arguably top 5 of all time.

[Wanaselja]

Frank Robinson

[BeanTown]

Ken Griffey Jr

[Jobu]

I think the multiplayer cards like Bench and Seaver suffer a bit because there is someone else featured. I also think that all 57 Topps suffer a bit because they are less appealing (IMO) than many of the other cards from this era.

I will also add Reggie Jackson to the list, though maybe he isn't considered undervalued.

[BeanTown]

Originally Posted by Jobu

I think the multiplayer cards like Bench and Seaver suffer a bit because there is someone else featured. I also think that all 57 Topps suffer a bit because they are less appealing (IMO) than many of the other cards from this era.

I will also add Reggie Jackson to the list, though maybe he isn't considered undervalued.

57 is undervalued and it shouldn't be. First year of the standard card size and many great cards in the set.

[Wanaselja]

Originally Posted by BeanTown

57 is undervalued and it shouldn't be. First year of the standard card size and many great cards in the set.

I agree. I think 57 from a design perspective is great.

[pokerplyr80]

With collectors spending $1M on certain modern cards, or even several hundred grand, they're all under valued. Bump this thread in a year and post some recent sales prices. My prediction they will all look like bargains.

If you're looking for the next card to 10x no idea. My guess would be something like a CJ or e90-1 Jackson. Mantle is just getting warmed up too. I'd be looking for a 51 if I didnt already have one.

[Vit-d]

For my money, the 1955 Topps Harmon Killebrew RC is very underrated.

A HOF RC from a beautiful set and you can probably get a PSA 6 for under $500.

[Casey2296]

Johnson, Lajoie, Collins.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

With collectors spending $1M on certain modern cards, or even several hundred grand, they're all under valued. Bump this thread in a year and post some recent sales prices. My prediction they will all look like bargains.

If you're looking for the next card to 10x no idea. My guess would be something like a CJ or e90-1 Jackson. Mantle is just getting warmed up too. I'd be looking for a 51 if I didnt already have one.

It is probably too late on Mantle. Heritage has a PSA 8. Last sale was 125k with other recent sales 110-135k. It is already at 200k before BP. Even lower graded ones have doubled or more the last month or two.

[MR RAREBACK]

spahn
clemente
carlton
greenberg

[tkd]

Any and all Hornsby cards.

[tkd]

Originally Posted by MR RAREBACK

spahn
clemente
carlton

Spahn for sure seems undervalued.

[JohnnyKilroy]

Ted Williams play ball RC still seems low to me! But definitely agree on Musial, Spahn and most of the others mentioned.

[samosa4u]

Pete Rose RC

[Johnny630]

Right Now These Guys are Smoking Hot. Aaron, Mays, Mantle and Jackie.

He had a major jump a few years back; Mine would be the......1955 Topps Roberto Clemente RC

It's a much harder card to get nice then the 54 Aaron Rookie IMO

60's I would have to say the Seaver Rookie

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

all HOF rookies from 1961 Topps

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by JohnnyKilroy

Ted Williams play ball RC still seems low to me! But definitely agree on Musial, Spahn and most of the others mentioned.

+1 on the ‘39 Teddy Ballgame. That card has been way undervalued compared to those of his peers (of which he has very few). Nothing has changed, even during this period of “crazy” cardflation (I just coined that one).

[pherbener]

I still think the 55 Clemente is undervalued. I also think the 26-29 Exhibits Foxx is "relatively" cheap. The Seaver Carlton and Schmidt rookies seem undervalued as well.

[sb1]

T204 Walter Johnson has yet to have a price breakout, probably since so few are offered. And I realize there are postcards issued prior to the Ramly set, just not of interest to all collectors.

[sdimag]

Originally Posted by pherbener

I still think the 55 Clemente is undervalued. I also think the 26-29 Exhibits Foxx is "relatively" cheap. The Seaver Carlton and Schmidt rookies seem undervalued as well.

Clemente rookie card? I bought a topps 1955 Clemente PSA 5 two years ago bv (before virus).It’s been selling for 3500 to 3900 the last few months.I checked last night and there are 2 for sale - $6,400 and $8,300! Also a 5(mc) for $3,800! Could not believe it!

[bbcard1]

With the surge in American cards, I have largely sat out of late (with the exception of a nice near 1952 Bowman set, which I admit is hardly sitting out). I have picked up four collector grade Sadaharu Oh Menko rookies (1959) in collector grade for $100 or less.

[Tyruscobb]

Originally Posted by tkd

Spahn for sure seems undervalued.

We are in complete agreement on this issue. Although there are several players whose cards are generally undervalued, Warren Spahn and Rogers Hornsby receive my top two votes. Spahn is arguably a top 10 all-time greatest pitcher (definitely top 15), and Hornsby is arguably a top 10 all-time great player, including pitchers.

Based on pure numbers, Spahn’s rookie is criminally undervalued. He is the all-time winningest left-handed pitcher, the all-time winningest modern day pitcher, and has the sixth most wins of all time. He is just 10 wins behind absolute legends, such as Mathewson and Alexander. His records will stand forever. He was also a WWII hero. Yet, his rookie cards can be had for a song?

Hornsby is in this same category. He is listed around 10th in most serious all-time greatest baseball player rankings. Hornsby has the highest all-time career batting average for a right hander, and the second highest all-time career batting average for all players (.358 – only behind Cobb). He was a two-time triple-crown winner, and a two-time MVP. Hornsby batted over .400 three times. He is twelfth in all-time WAR.

The problem with Spahn and Hornsby is they are almost forgotten and just don’t get the exposure that their contemporary stars receive. This has kept their cards’ demand and price down. Frank Robinson falls into this same trap. Earlier in his career, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Clemente stole his spotlight.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

We are in complete agreement on this issue. Although there are several players whose cards are generally undervalued, Warren Spahn and Rogers Hornsby receive my top two votes. Spahn is arguably a top 10 all-time greatest pitcher (definitely top 15), and Hornsby is arguably a top 10 all-time great player, including pitchers.

Based on pure numbers, Spahn’s rookie is criminally undervalued. He is the all-time winningest left-handed pitcher, the all-time winningest modern day pitcher, and has the sixth most wins of all time. He is just 10 wins behind absolute legends, such as Mathewson and Alexander. His records will stand forever. He was also a WWII hero. Yet, his rookie cards can be had for a song?

Hornsby is in this same category. He is listed around 10th in most serious all-time greatest baseball player rankings. Hornsby has the highest all-time career batting average for a right hander, and the second highest all-time career batting average for all players (.358 – only behind Cobb). He was a two-time triple-crown winner, and a two-time MVP. Hornsby batted over .400 three times. He is twelfth in all-time WAR.

The problem with Spahn and Hornsby is they are almost forgotten and just don’t get the exposure that their contemporary stars receive. This has kept their cards’ demand and price down. Frank Robinson falls into this same trap. Earlier in his career, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Clemente stole his spotlight.

Eddie Collins belongs on that list too.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

With the surge in American cards, I have largely sat out of late (with the exception of a nice near 1952 Bowman set, which I admit is hardly sitting out). I have picked up four collector grade Sadaharu Oh Menko rookies (1959) in collector grade for $100 or less.

I am jealous, all I can find are the ones on ebay nearly all of which are priced high and from the same seller.

[packs]

The 51 Bowman Mantle. Might be a centerpiece card for a lot of people but the value lags so far behind the Topps that it's difficult to understand the pricing. Even when it comes to DiMaggio, whose most popular "rookie" is the 1939 Play Ball, when the 1936 Goudey does come up it always outsells it's later issued and more mainstream counterpart. Not sure why the same isn't true for the 51 Mantle, even if it's not Topps.

[ASF123]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

With the surge in American cards, I have largely sat out of late (with the exception of a nice near 1952 Bowman set, which I admit is hardly sitting out). I have picked up four collector grade Sadaharu Oh Menko rookies (1959) in collector grade for $100 or less.

"Hmmm, that's a very interesting idea," I thought after reading this post.

Headed over to eBay and searched...

Cheapest one is now $430 + $15 shipping from Japan. It's like the whole world has become Dean's.

EDIT: Ha - Coke to Peter.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

The 51 Bowman Mantle. Might be a centerpiece card for a lot of people but the value lags so far behind the Topps that it's difficult to understand the pricing. Even when it comes to DiMaggio, whose most popular "rookie" is the 1939 Play Ball, when the 1936 Goudey does come up it always outsells it's later issued and more mainstream counterpart. Not sure why the same isn't true for the 51 Mantle, even if it's not Topps.

There are more 51 Bowmans than 52 Topps despite the Topps being a DP. 52 Topps is Mantle's rarest regular issue card. I also think the difficulty of completing a 52 Topps set because of the high numbers is a major factor. 52 Topps is the t206 set of post war collecting. That contributes to the demand.

[Johnny630]

To me there has been a major swing from The collector base to the Investor Base of card owners.

It looks like this decade the same will repeat itself driving this hobby to further highs.

[packs]

Originally Posted by rats60

There are more 51 Bowmans than 52 Topps despite the Topps being a DP. 52 Topps is Mantle's rarest regular issue card. I also think the difficulty of completing a 52 Topps set because of the high numbers is a major factor. 52 Topps is the t206 set of post war collecting. That contributes to the demand.

But so what? We're talking about a true rookie card of a folk hero. There's no reason for it to lag like it does. PSA 1 Bowman will run you what, somewhere around 5K? A 52 missing a border sold for 11K in a recent Heritage auction.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

But so what? We're talking about a true rookie card of a folk hero. There's no reason for it to lag like it does. PSA 1 Bowman will run you what, somewhere around 5K? A 52 missing a border sold for 11K in a recent Heritage auction.

All you can expect is for the 51 Bowman to be worth more than other post war rookie cards. It is never going to catch the 52 Topps. Supply is more and demand is less. They are starting to move up in price. It will be interesting to see what they do in this months Heritage auction.

[packs]

Originally Posted by rats60

All you can expect is for the 51 Bowman to be worth more than other post war rookie cards. It is never going to catch the 52 Topps. Supply is more and demand is less. They are starting to move up in price. It will be interesting to see what they do in this months Heritage auction.

Same doesn't seem to be true for the Mays though.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

The 51 Bowman Mantle. Might be a centerpiece card for a lot of people but the value lags so far behind the Topps that it's difficult to understand the pricing. Even when it comes to DiMaggio, whose most popular "rookie" is the 1939 Play Ball, when the 1936 Goudey does come up it always outsells it's later issued and more mainstream counterpart. Not sure why the same isn't true for the 51 Mantle, even if it's not Topps.

We've all been conditioned to think the 311 is the most iconic card on earth. There's a self-fulfilling prophecy aspect to it.

[dio]

Originally Posted by rats60

All you can expect is for the 51 Bowman to be worth more than other post war rookie cards. It is never going to catch the 52 Topps. Supply is more and demand is less. They are starting to move up in price. It will be interesting to see what they do in this months Heritage auction.

Yes, It will never catch the 52 topps. However, i think at the end it will get closer to 52 topps
psa 1 52 topps, clean sweep one, i would say a middle one, not too bad, not great. now is at 38k(after buyer fee) will see how it goes
psa 1 bowman cleansweep i think maybe a little above average 1 is at 9k now, take the same condition maybe 8k
so 38k vs 8k. I would think eventually might catch up to the ratio of 38k to 20-25k in the future , still the 51 bowman is his true rookie

[packs]

The 51 Bowman is also a high number in its own right.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

Same doesn't seem to be true for the Mays though.

52 Topps Mays is not a high number and there are more 52 Topps than 51 Bowman Mays. I think the 51 Bowman Mantle is under valued compared to 52 Topps but it always has been. I have a PSA 7 Mantle RC so I am hoping it closes the gap. It is just that there are a lot of people with unlimited funds that are drawn to the 52. It is no different that someone paying 732k for a Jordan RC or 3.9 million for a Trout superfractor. These guys want a card to show off and it needs to be something a non collector would recognize. That is 52T not 51B.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

We've all been conditioned to think the 311 is the most iconic card on earth. There's a self-fulfilling prophecy aspect to it.

That is just the Yankees fans. Everyone knows the Wagner is the most iconic card. It has been for 90 years and I don't see it ever changing.

[pherbener]

Originally Posted by sdimag

Clemente rookie card? I bought a topps 1955 Clemente PSA 5 two years ago bv (before virus).It’s been selling for 3500 to 3900 the last few months.I checked last night and there are 2 for sale - $6,400 and $8,300! Also a 5(mc) for $3,800! Could not believe it!

Compared to the increase in Mays and Mantle rookies, it's still a steal! Oh and I still think the Ruth rookie is undervalued!!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

That is just the Yankees fans. Everyone knows the Wagner is the most iconic card. It has been for 90 years and I don't see it ever changing.

Right, but (until recently?) the Mantle while pricey was far more accessible than the Wagner. I'll qualify my statement to say the most iconic accessible (sort of) card.

[The Nasty Nati]

1939 Play Ball Ted Williams RC I think has been undervalued for years, even with today's prices.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by rats60

All you can expect is for the 51 Bowman to be worth more than other post war rookie cards. It is never going to catch the 52 Topps. Supply is more and demand is less. They are starting to move up in price. It will be interesting to see what they do in this months Heritage auction.

Clean Sweep Auction ending tonight has both a PSA 1 1951 Bowman Mantle and 1952 Topps Mantle. Right now, the Topps is at $31,800 and the Bowman is at $9317 (current bids without b.p.). They are both decent looking 1's although the centering on the Bowman is much worse than the Topps. It will be interesting to see where they both end.

[troutbum97]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Clean Sweep Auction ending tonight has both a PSA 1 1951 Bowman Mantle and 1952 Topps Mantle. Right now, the Topps is at $31,800 and the Bowman is at $9317 (current bids without b.p.). They are both decent looking 1's although the centering on the Bowman is much worse than the Topps. It will be interesting to see where they both end.

$11,000+ for a PSA 1 o/c 1951 Mantle?

[Kutcher55]

39 Play Ball DiMaggio seems very undervalued. First Joe D card other than the '38 mini-me Goudey nonsense and an absolutely classic photo. Yet the '41 Playball trades at multiples more. Hey I love '41 playball but the '39 DiMaggio is a much better card IMO.

I think the '52 Topps Mays is off-the-charts iconic and a very good investment although it has doubled in the past 2 months so I guess it's half as good an investment as it was two months ago lol.

I think the '41 PlayBall Peewee Reese is a good buy. He was a great man and a pretty darn good ballplayer too.

1989 Topps Traded Randy Kutcher cards are also criminally undervalued.

[dio]

Originally Posted by troutbum97

$11,000+ for a PSA 1 o/c 1951 Mantle?

Taking off. Get it before it's too late. Price ratio between 52 topps and 51 bowman is just too great. Ppl finally realize it's undervalued

[joshuanip]

Babe Ruth rookie.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I am jealous, all I can find are the ones on ebay nearly all of which are priced high and from the same seller.

Unfortunately not a rookie, but this is in our current auction: