Selling 80% of your collection for ‘52 Mantle - would you?

[donmuth]

While the idea of liquidating a bunch of cards to get a really big pickup, like the '52T Mantle, or any other big card may be tempting... I don't think I could do it.

I've spent 38 years working very slowly on the T206 set and many 1950s-1970s sets, plus adding to my HOF collection. Over 95% of my collection is raw/ungraded cards too just because I prefer them that way. So selling them may require getting a bunch graded to help maximize the return... so that would take time and upfront $.

There are so many great players. I would like to have cards of all of those great players, versus one (or even a few) high valued cards of a much fewer number of players.

Yes most of those other cards could be replaced over time. Maybe in collection 2.0 I could re-focus and target higher eye appeal cards or whatever. It would take a long time though... probably not 38 years... but several years at least. And some of the cards, while not rare are irreplaceable because they are tied to the memories of purchasing them (my first Mantle - a '65T bought back in the last 1980s) or getting them autographed in person (Willie Mays '69T, Richie Ashburn '52T, etc.).

Good luck on it if you decide to do it though!

[LEHR]

I wouldn't do it for a 52 Mantle because I've never liked that card and consider it grossly overvalued.

But with that being said I have sold a chunk of items a few times to buy a rare/expensive piece that I wouldn't normally buy and have had ZERO regrets.

There's 2-3 items that come to mind right now where if they became available I'd happily sell up to 80% of my collection to acquire them. For me it's always quality over quantity.

[mordecaibrown1]

I did it years ago for a high grade 52 Mantle so it all depends on what you are giving up?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I personally appreciate the biographies of far too many other players and get a little tired of constantly hearing about the big names. If it was me, I wouldn't even consider it. I've heard enough about Mantle to last ten lifetimes.

[Rad_Hazard]

I've sold chunks of cards for 1 bigger card many times. I tend not to go for a HUGE cards though. They tend to be tougher to unload in the future.

[JimmyC]

Nah - wouldn't do it...prefer the '51 Bowman card anyway - better looking card IMHO....think the '52 is overvalued.....

Now if we are talking a Mantle Game Worn Jersey? Now you are talking....

[Exhibitman]

Nicolo, I agree with your comments on the math, but I am not sure whether it makes better sense in the context of a card investment. The math is not the end of the game. Heck, I wish you were right, because I have lots of lesser cards but none of the super-duper ones; I wish my collection had grown in value like the marquee cards have. It hasn't. There is also the mechanics of realizing my gains. I can sell a $100K card in one auction and I probably can negotiate back a piece of the BP too. That is not realistic if I have 100 $1,000 cards to sell. If I have multiples of the same card, even if they went up a lot, it is even worse. I can't just throw them all into a single REA auction; I'd get killed. I have to sell them over time in different venues.

I don't think there is one good answer to the question. Liquidity is an element that definitely comes into play. I've never been one for having a 25 or 50 card collection, but in considering how to unwind a collection of thousands of items, dumping 80% for one or two items sure does sound appealing conceptually. If I wasn't planning on doing a multiyear-controlled liquidation once I retire, I might consider it.

[Republicaninmass]

If you have no mortage, no car payment, no debts, why not?

Otherwise you (may) put your family in peril over a piece of cardboard

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Nicolo, I agree with your comments on the math, but I am not sure whether it makes better sense in the context of a card investment. The math is not the end of the game. Heck, I wish you were right, because I have lots of lesser cards but none of the super-duper ones; I wish my collection had grown in value like the marquee cards have. It hasn't. There is also the mechanics of realizing my gains. I can sell a $100K card in one auction and I probably can negotiate back a piece of the BP too. That is not realistic if I have 100 $1,000 cards to sell. If I have multiples of the same card, even if they went up a lot, it is even worse. I can't just throw them all into a single REA auction; I'd get killed. I have to sell them over time in different venues.

I don't think there is one good answer to the question. Liquidity is an element that definitely comes into play. I've never been one for having a 25 or 50 card collection, but in considering how to unwind a collection of thousands of items, dumping 80% for one or two items sure does sound appealing conceptually. If I wasn't planning on doing a multiyear-controlled liquidation once I retire, I might consider it.

Fair enough!

And those are certainly important elements for us to all ponder in our collecting adventures. I'm guessing for a lot of us, we stick to the "more is more" maxim. Because more really is more!

[Exhibitman]

Well, I found my answer: yes, I would trade a big chunk of my collection for this:

[ullmandds]

i've been considering doing this...selling many babe ruth cards for 1 special one...i can't pull the trigger!!

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Well, I found my answer: yes, I would trade a big chunk of my collection for this:

wowsers! now...to get it signed!!!

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Well, I found my answer: yes, I would trade a big chunk of my collection for this:

That's a Beautiful Card !!

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Well, I found my answer: yes, I would trade a big chunk of my collection for this:

That is a great card and I would trade a chunk of my collection for it but no where near 80 % of my collection

[Snapolit1]

Nope. Never wanted one.

[Foo3112]

Easy no for me too.

[Yoda]

Leon, even though I can't remember the names of my grandchildren, I do recall well selling you you my E102 Cobby for about a grand. At the time, we both considered it his RC, that is until Rob Lifson came out in favor of the Dietsch PC and muddied the waters. I still believe the E102 is his first card in the traditional sense. I hold one now, but it is not as nice as the one I sold to you. I also recall that, about the same time, you stole a beautiful '38 Goudey JD for pennies but I don't hold a grudge. Yoda

[darkhorse9]

When I'm gone my "collection" goes to my son. It's almost entirely made up of complete sets.
He's not a collector. If I'm gone, selling it would be difficult for him since he knows nothing about the hobby and breaking up the sets to get maximum value would be out of the question..

I have toyed with the idea of selling off all of my collection and converting it to a few key notable graded cards that would be much easier for him to track and sell when the time comes for him to do that.