seeking help with 1974-1978 issues of trader speaks and sports collectors digest

[jsq]

Originally Posted by Collectorsince62

I checked the eight issues I have from 1978 but did not see your ads. But I did enjoy a nice trip down memory lane. Now I'm kicking myself for not focusing on vintage back then.

that was most kind of you to look. your trip down memory lane is awesome and a side benefit. i would greatly encourage all collectors who joined the hobby in the 90's or more recently to get some old hobby issues from the 70's and do the same. it will provide perspective to the hobby.

seeing the price of vintage cards is a WHOLE LOT OF FUN and brings back a lot of fun memories. i have also browsed some back issues as previously mentioned and found the same vicarious thrill seeing what coulda shoulda been.

the hobby was quite different back then and i remember selling at card shows for instance at the 1974 single show in chicago (yeah only one show of consequence in the whole 7 million metro in 1974 as i recall) and hoping someone would come along and buy out my 1930's and 1940's duplicates. unlike today their was a major deficit of available cash to buy cards - you just could not move inventory.

for example an acquaintance of mine bought a mint 52 topps set at the philly show in 1976 for $950. that was the entire set not the low numbers. now mint back then and mint today are two different animals but nonetheless, you get the idea. that $950 price was auctioned at the philly show NOT a private sale by a unimformed buyer. the entire show table holders and any of the interested attendees of the show were allowed to participate and bid. that same acquaintance about 3 or so years later sold 5 complete sets of 52 topps, maybe vg condition on balance, to seperate buyers, at $1,000 each. so that was in 1979 or 1980. he is still in the hobby today and was a genuine pioneer and outstandingly bright and innovative person. the poor growth of the hobby in the 1960's did not encourage anyone to speculate or stockpile much. a few like larry in wisconsin did have an excellent vision of the future and stockpiled a ton of cards in the early 70's and forward.

t-206 and other stellar t series runs, goudeys, play balls, etc were similiarly priced relative to today. the star card phenomena and condition phenomenas did not exist at that point to any great degree COMPARED to now. the better condition cards and star cards certainly brought premiums over commons but NOTHING like today.

ps, in case you are wondering i sold ALL of my cards back in the 70's and paid for college etc. that worked out REALLY excellent for me. so no regrets - just MANY fond memories.

i am as mentioned trying to help my wife build a scrapbook and GREATLY appreciate the boards help finding my old advertisements in the 74-78 back issues of tts and scd.

all the best,
jsq