Cards you regret letting go...

[clydepepper]

In 1999, I donated my 1928 Harrington Ice Cream Babe Ruth to The Hall of Fame and got a Lifetime Donor's Pass in return.

I was able to get there for the Induction Weekend in 1999, but it will be very difficult to get back. It's not really the same since they no longer have the HOF game on the same weekend. I did get to see Greg Zahn call his shot (REALLY!).

...and, while I do have three nice Ruth cards, I have never replaced the one I donated.

[Sean1125]

I had 2 Clemente RC's in 8 2 years ago at the national (and bought+flipped one). I took under $8k for each. Aaron 7 and 8 multiples of each as well.

[1880nonsports]

negotiated with Terry Sr. for about 2 1/2 years before he succumbed and I was able to add it to my type collection. Sold in the dismantling of said endeavor and I haven't been able to replace it in the past 15 years.....
Mint S81 Cole large silk with backing - went to the Utah hotel guy (CRS) - still need it for my silk type collection.
Too many painful memories for me to continue - I try not to look back.

[Peter_Spaeth]

PSA 8.9 Orr rookie.

[Paul S]

Seems to be lots of remorse in this thread regarding TPG grades and what we could have gotten for it later on. My Mom bought me my first prewar in the 60's (hi Goldfadden) - T206 Cobb b/on, $5. First thing I sold, in a batch I consigned to an AH just a couple of years ago. That's when I knew I could sell anything, when I surrendered the sentimental value.

[pokerplyr80]

I my biggest regret isn't a card I sold but one I passed on. A little over a year ago a seller on ebay offered me an SGC 3 52 Mantle for 9k. It looked nice and was centered decent for the grade. Now that I'm ready to buy one I will probably end up spending more than that to get one with a lot less eye appeal.

[conor912]

My 1987 Topps Roger Clemens. I got it signed in person when I was 8. It was crumpled to hell, but man, did I love that card. I sold it, along with my entire childhood collection, when I was in college for the cost of a keg of beer. I'll never let myself live that one down.

[Leon]

There are several of my 19th century cards I would love to have back....but they would be quite costly.

[ullmandds]

I regret offing my rarest back t206's years ago...as the values jest kept going and going!!!!

I also miss my e90-1 cy young, boston card...and my e90-2 wagner.

[kkkkandp]

Sold my Old Judge Tug Wilson to help fund the rebuild of our house damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The house looks great, but I'll likely never see, let alone buy, that card again.

[ErikV]

I, like Jesse posted earlier, have a doozie. This will probably be the biggest
mistake anyone could EVER pass on.

After Barry Halper auctioned his collection in 1999, I had the chance to purchase
a 1916 Famous-Barr Babe Ruth rookie card for, get this, $3500.00. I also had
the chance to get the Famous-Barr Joe Jackson at the same time. (The wife
told me no, so I bought the Famous-Barr Jim Thorpe for $1500 instead.)

Man, when I think about this it makes me regret listening to her. Dammit!!

ErikV

[brian1961]

Many.

However, the one that hurts the most, and I mean HURTS, is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle I consigned to a Mr. Mint auction, in order to raise money for a down payment on a house. It would grade EX-MT+, and perhaps NEAR MINT, based on its extremely clean appearance. Even The Mint Man remarked about that pivotal characteristic in his brief, but meaningful write-up in SCD back in the fall of 1995.

I miss it not because it's worth a lot more money now, but because I truly loved that card, and you better believe I never got tired of looking at it!

Be that as it may, I truly loved my family a whole lot more, and while I regret the staggering loss as a card collector, I know a deeper regret would await me as a husband and dad had I not taken the step.

---Brian Powell

[Econteachert205]

I'm one of the few lucky ones who has no selling regrets, yet...

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Many.

However, the one that hurts the most, and I mean HURTS, is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle I consigned to a Mr. Mint auction, in order to raise money for a down payment on a house. It would grade EX-MT+, and perhaps NEAR MINT, based on its extremely clean appearance. Even The Mint Man remarked about that pivotal characteristic in his brief, but meaningful write-up in SCD back in the fall of 1995.

I miss it not because it's worth a lot more money now, but because I truly loved that card, and you better believe I never got tired of looking at it!

Be that as it may, I truly loved my family a whole lot more, and while I regret the staggering loss as a card collector, I know a deeper regret would await me as a husband and dad had I not taken the step.

---Brian Powell

You made the right choice Brian. You sound like a good man/husband/father. Kudos to you and that you only regret it a little for what you were able to do for your family !

[philliesfan]

Easy for me. A 1940 Playball # 1 Joe DiMaggio. Raw but would have graded a 7 or higher.

On a side note, back in the early 1980's I had the opportunity to purchase a T3 Cobb for $1,500.00. I was young and did not have the cash so I never bought it. That card EASILY would have graded an 8. Yes an EASY 8 and maybe a 9. It had only the slightest show of white in the upper right corner. It was a real beauty.

Thanks for making me feel horrible.

Robert

[T206Collector]

T206 Hal Chase Pink Portrait PSA 6. I sold it when SGC wouldn't cross it over because of a corner wrinkle. I should've just held on to it. The image and color and registration were just exquisite!

[KCRfan1]

This is taking me back a good 30+ years ago. I picked up a 57 Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, 69 Reggie Jackson, and 71 Nolan Ryan. I also had Clemente's cards from each Topps year. Bought them all for what now seems next to nothing. Centered, and sharp corners. But I was young and dumb, and wanted to get married. Sold those cards and others to buy the ring. Marriage lasted all of 4 years...I wish I had those cards .

[Leon]

When I regret what I let go I focus on current collecting niches.... Isn't the chase a lot of the fun?

[wolfdogg]

short list of cards I've owned and sadly sold is: (cards I never though I'd sale)
E90-1 Jackson, Mitchell and Speaker
M110 Cobb and the "Chief Myers" signed Chase card in Leons sale
'15 Cracker Jacks of Joe Jackson (SGC30) and a PSA8 Joe Wood
'17 D350-2 Joe Jackson
N172 Phenomenal Smith Script Portrait
N172 Mack and Ward portrait
N162 Anson
E102 Dots Miller fielding pose
'52 Topps set
'33 Goudey #144 Ruth in SGC50 w/great centering and well focused
E121 Ruth w/bird
E125 Wagner fielding
E95 Wagner (probably would have graded a 5)
T3 Cobb and Johnson
and more.......
and I regret not buying the T210-8 Joe Jackson that I had chance to buy for under $7K raw (probably a 2 if slabbed)

OK I'm stopping before I start crying.......

[quinnsryche]

About a dozen or so M101-6's (1917-19 Felix Mendelsohn). Sold them about 20 yrs. ago for some 1st house money. Can't complain about the reason I sold them but they are now probably worth 50x what I sold them for. They were even tougher to find back then than they are now. I think Chris has some of them, maybe he will post some scans.

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

About a dozen or so M101-6's (1917-19 Felix Mendelsohn). Sold them about 20 yrs. ago for some 1st house money. Can't complain about the reason I sold them but they are now probably worth 50x what I sold them for. They were even tougher to find back then than they are now. I think Chris has some of them, maybe he will post some scans.

I love these. I'll post a couple.

[Steve D]

The card I miss the most, is my T227 Ty Cobb. I bought it in the early 1980s, and sold it in 1991.


Steve