Modern day Helmar cards--will they gain in value?

[GregMitch34]

I asked the same question earlier but it is buried in a thread on the new Helmar magazine so I don't expect many replies. I am just wondering if people think the Helmars--the nicer ones, at least--will go up in value in years ahead, even just 10 percent, or there's very little chance of that since they are not "vintage." Yes, I realize, you can't say for sure about ANY cards but I wonder what the opinions might be on these sort of unique cards.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

I would say no, they are just amazing novelty cards.


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[Econteachert205]

That's a good question, do they have catalog distinction? Is there definitive print run and set info on them? If they were / are part of the cataloging system I would think player run collectors would want/need them. I like the art, not a huge fan of the distressed look.

[ls7plus]

No.

Larry

[EvilKing00]

I wouldnt buy them

[sirraffles]

I do what I do because I find it satisfying, sometimes amusing, and it allows me a modest income. There is no desire to become the next Upper Deck (no one needs that) but I am a bit ambitious in that I like to share what I am doing and what interests me. Hence the magazine, which talks about the old-time players and yes, my cards. You'll find, though, that the magazine mostly uses the cards to illustrate the stories. If it is a "sales job" it is pretty discrete and I tried hard not to allow them to be a distraction from the baseball history focus, but a compliment.

From time to time, not really very often, someone will ask what I think about the future values of Helmar cards. I don't put much thought into it because I'll be long dead and those values are best left to those that come after me, and after us. I do know that people don't purchase them in order to throw them out.

But to entertain your question, let's say for a moment that a watch collector comes across a box of well-made, interesting watches made 80 or 100 years ago. They were not made in a huge Sieko-type factory but, instead, they were made by some small craftsman/company under modest circumstances. Only a handful of each style were made. Would the collector be interested? I would think so, and I think that he would believe that they had some value.

Charles Mandel

[glchen]

No, they will not go up in value. For most cards to have value, they need to be issued during the player's playing days. If not, then the card needs to be part of a major set (e.g., Topps) or contained game used memorabilia or autos. Helmar cards fit none of these criteria.