Memorabilia as an investment

[Exhibitman]

It is whatever you want to make of it.

As part of an asset class, sports memorabilia is akin to art, coins, rare books, etc. It has a decades-long track record and is bigger than ever, so those who scoff at the idea of it are deluding themselves. I'd prefer that some things and people did not exist; doesn't make it so.

Many here, myself included, would classify themselves as collector-investors. I have my collecting passions (like H815 Adam Hats premiums) but over the last few years I mostly buy with an eye towards either appreciation or flipping. That said, cards are not part of my formal retirement plan. I am big believer in paying yourself first, then taking on riskier endeavors with excess cash once the core needs and plans are funded. I have had a nice little card business as a side hustle for years and as I wind down my law practice I am stepping into that business more and more. I hope to make it a full time gig eventually.

To be perfectly blunt, I (and many other Gen X collectors) got lucky. I bought my cards over the last 35 years because I enjoy them. The price run-up is an unexpected perk. Managing my portfolio of cards is the sort of problem I am happy to have.