Sports memorabilia market

[Wolverine]

The high end sports memorabilia market is currently the hottest it's ever been. Vintage baseball memorabilia in particular has been setting record prices annually, from Babe Ruth's 1920 jersey selling for over $4 million, to Lou Gehrig's 1927 jersey going for over $700,000, to Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays jerseys selling in the $250,000 range.

I was talking with a few of my collecting buddies the other day, and we were all wondering if this is the true peak of this market, or if it could possibly continue growing over time.

One of the things we discussed was whether or not the millennial generation will ever collect the way we do. Will kids today ever be interested in game worn jerseys of guys that played 100 years before they were born? If so, will they be willing to drop the kind of money on these items that people are paying today?

I guess my main question is, will we look back on the current market 30 years from now and go "what the hell were people thinking paying those outrageous prices?"

Or will we look back 30 years from now and go "man I wish I had a time machine to go back and pay those crazy low 2016 prices"

In addition, are there any players that you believe are more prone to being forgotten about over time? As an example, will kids 50 years from now even know or care about who Mickey Mantle was?
Are there any guys you believe have the ability to transcend these potential issues because of their legendary status?

Just curious to hear what kind of opinions you guys have on this.

[bravos4evr]

I have a feeling that the prices are completely nuts and won't last. Not long term anyway. I am dubious of younger fans collecting the pre-80's and pre-war guys as hard as we do and thus I think in 15-20 years we will look back and laugh at how a jersey that went for $500k in 2016 is now selling for $25k.


but I could be wrong, I thought the Red Sox would go to the world series

[Wolverine]

Originally Posted by bravos4evr

I have a feeling that the prices are completely nuts and won't last. Not long term anyway. I am dubious of younger fans collecting the pre-80's and pre-war guys as hard as we do and thus I think in 15-20 years we will look back and laugh at how a jersey that went for $500k in 2016 is now selling for $25k.


but I could be wrong, I thought the Red Sox would go to the world series

I hate to say it, but I was actually thinking the same thing. I just don't see how this market can sustain its current prices, let alone increase.

Are there any guys you believe may be able to transcend this and remain sought after far into the future? In my personal opinion, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio and Jackie Robinson are the first 4 that come to mind as far as guys who will most likely always be collected.

Ruth simply because he's Babe Ruth and was the face of the roaring 20's, Gehrig because he was the second most beloved Yankee of all time after Ruth and his immortal Luckiest Man speech that will live on forever, Dimaggio because of his connection to Marilyn Monroe and pop culture in general, and Robinson because he broke the color barrier.

Other than them, I find it rather hard to think of other names that will truly be collected forever.

[vintagesportscollector]

Baseball has become a local market sport, and in many ways so has collecting, and that will continue. Red Sox fans will always collect Ted Williams, Braves - Hank Aaron, Cubs - Ernie Banks, Reds - Rose, Frank Robinson, Astros - Nolan Ryan, Orioles - Cal Ripken, Dodgers - Koufax, Pirates - Wagner, Cardinals - Hornsby, Musial, Giants - Mays, etc...

Others that I think will transcend: Joe Jackson, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Mathewson.

[irv]

I have been trying my best to get my son interested/involved in the hobby but being 15, he has other things on his mind it seems?

That aside, I have told him/shown him my Mantle, Mays and Robison cards as well as a few of my other high 52 Topps numbered cards just so he is familiar with/knows them so hopefully that carries over some day where he either adds to my collection or at least cherishes them and does the same with his children someday.

Times change but I believe it is up to us adults/parents to do the best we can do to help keep these players, and the hobby, as active/known the best we can.

[ooo-ribay]

I'm dubious, like Nick. Then again, I've never been a player in the high end market. I get excited over oddball stuff that, hopefully, doesn't interest other bidders.