1952 Topps Pafko on Auction Kings

[ALR-bishop]

"card" may be the key. So what do we "experts" say is the first card Topps ever made?

[CobbSpikedMe]

I asked this on the main board but nobody responded so I'll try it in this post.

Isn't the Pafko only a condition rarity and not actual rare at all? And isn't it only worth big bucks if it's in high grade, which this card obviously was not.

Thanks a lot,

AndyH

[ALR-bishop]

I think it is a condition sensitive value card that is not scarce but has also become an iconic card in the hobby that sells for higher prices in even lower grade than other non high number cards in the set

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I think it is a condition sensitive value card that is not scarce but has also become an iconic card in the hobby that sells for higher prices in even lower grade than other non high number cards in the set

Yup-there is a definite ripple effect with this card.

[ALR-bishop]

Plus some do view it as the first card of the first Topps set, discounting the 5 sets from 51 and the 48 subset as not real baseball sets. If someone who can't take on building the set or even the low numbers, but wants one card, I would bet the Pakfo becomes the card to have

[alanu]

Just because the card is #1 in the set doesn't necessarily mean it was the first card ever made since it was part of a sheet printed at the same time.

[Brianruns10]

And all this talk of rarity is a huge misunderstanding of the Pafko. It's not a rare card in and of itself. It's a conditional rarity. And while cards at the PSA 5 level and up I'd say warrant their value, frankly cards graded lower are badly overpriced. I think it's benefited from the same aura that surrounds the Mantle. All logic says the Mantle card should be far, far lower in value, but because enough people believe they are rare and valuable, they then become valuable. The lie becomes a truth.