Am I the only one???

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I work in this hobby. I have seen and been around it all. There will ALWAYS be someone with something better, nicer, greater, etc. There will ALWAYS be someone with endless amounts of money who doesn't appreciate what they have. That's when you have to make a decision. Will I appreciate and want what I have or will I seek to compare myself with others? The former will bring satisfaction while the latter will never bring contentment.

+1 there. Plus, if you're interested in obtaining quite valuable cards, there are basically two ways to do so. You can have more money than you know that to do with and be on "the trailing edge" of the market, so to speak, buying such cards as the '52 Topps Mantle for $400,000 in PSA 8, just because you can, and want the best available, or you can try to be on "the cutting edge," going outside the box, pursuing cards that are rare to extremely rare, yet currently very quiet in the marketplace. You just have to think outside the box, focusing primarily upon rarity, significance and the best condition you can find or afford.

I remember when the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth came out of the chute in the Copeland auction, circa 1991 (?), and went for $6,000. The majority of us were thinking along the lines of "what in the world is that, and why would anyone pay six grand for one?" The buyer was on the cutting edge, rather than the trailing edge (can you say $694,000 for one graded poor to fair now?), whether he knew it or not. Go back twenty years via a reputable price guide and you will find T 210 Joe Jackson's valued in the low four figure range, rather than six, and E107 Youngs and Wagners similarily priced.

John J. Pittman adopted this as his philosophy in coins. A chemical engineer with Eastman Kodak, he was never able to afford the mega-priced "trophy" coins of his time, so instead focused upon the rare and significant in the highest grade possible in quiet areas of collecting that were within his price range. After five to six decades, he had amassed a collection which brought about $40 million collectively in several auctions following his death.

Best of luck,

Larry

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by ls7plus

+1 there. Plus, if you're interested in obtaining quite valuable cards, there are basically two ways to do so. You can have more money than you know that to do with and be on "the trailing edge" of the market, so to speak, buying such cards as the '52 Topps Mantle for $400,000 in PSA 8, just because you can, and want the best available, or you can try to be on "the cutting edge," going outside the box, pursuing cards that are rare to extremely rare, yet currently very quiet in the marketplace. You just have to think outside the box, focusing primarily upon rarity, significance and the best condition you can find or afford.

I remember when the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth came out of the chute in the Copeland auction, circa 1991 (?), and went for $6,000. The majority of us were thinking along the lines of "what in the world is that, and why would anyone pay six grand for one?" The buyer was on the cutting edge, rather than the trailing edge (can you say $694,000 for one graded poor to fair now?), whether he knew it or not. Go back twenty years via a reputable price guide and you will find T 210 Joe Jackson's valued in the low four figure range, rather than six, and E107 Youngs and Wagners similarily priced.

Best of luck,

Larry

good advice!

[Joshwesley]

Originally Posted by ls7plus

+1 there. Plus, if you're interested in obtaining quite valuable cards, there are basically two ways to do so. You can have more money than you know that to do with and be on "the trailing edge" of the market, so to speak, buying such cards as the '52 Topps Mantle for $400,000 in PSA 8, just because you can, and want the best available, or you can try to be on "the cutting edge," going outside the box, pursuing cards that are rare to extremely rare, yet currently very quiet in the marketplace. You just have to think outside the box, focusing primarily upon rarity, significance and the best condition you can find or afford.

I remember when the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth came out of the chute in the Copeland auction, circa 1991 (?), and went for $6,000. The majority of us were thinking along the lines of "what in the world is that, and why would anyone pay six grand for one?" The buyer was on the cutting edge, rather than the trailing edge (can you say $694,000 for one graded poor to fair now?), whether he knew it or not. Go back twenty years via a reputable price guide and you will find T 210 Joe Jackson's valued in the low four figure range, rather than six, and E107 Youngs and Wagners similarily priced.

John J. Pittman adopted this as his philosophy in coins. A chemical engineer with Eastman Kodak, he was never able to afford the mega-priced "trophy" coins of his time, so instead focused upon the rare and significant in the highest grade possible in quiet areas of collecting that were within his price range. After five to six decades, he had amassed a collection which brought about $40 million collectively in several auctions following his death.

Best of luck,

Larry

Incredible....

What's the next card to go up in value like the Ruth of the Mantle.... or has everything basically topped out?
If you had 10k to spend right now and were for-casting a card that would potentially sky rocket 20-30 years from now what would that be...

Just for fun. lol

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Joshwesley

Incredible....

What's the next card to go up in value like the Ruth of the Mantle.... or has everything basically topped out?
If you had 10k to spend right now and were for-casting a card that would potentially sky rocket 20-30 years from now what would that be...

Just for fun. lol

Probably a question for it's own thread, but it's hard to even speculate. I'd say Ruth and Mantle are unquestionably #'s 1 and 2 in terms of popularity. Number three is less clear. A case could be made for Cobb, I suppose. The next one may very well be specific issue-based than player based, but, that said, what the hell do I know?

[MR RAREBACK]

lets start the thread

[Exhibitman]

Interesting posts, folks.

About 15 years ago I got frustrated with the escalating price of participation on the baseball side of the hobby and I more or less quit for other cards. That was stupid and smart all at once. Stupid in the sense that there is a great deal of alternative material out there and there is no reason why money should keep you from pursuing a baseball card collection. If the item you are seeking has soared past your budget, move on to something else. Maybe I can't afford a career-issued Ruth card but maybe I can afford an Exhibit or PC or team issue or premium. Or maybe I have to downgrade my expectations to a lower condition card. Just throwing up my hands in frustration because a RC had soared out of reach, as I did, was not helpful. At the same time, my sabbatical from baseball collecting was also smart in the sense that I found out that I enjoy other forms of card collecting too. When I came back to baseball cards it was with a richer appreciation of the hobby as well as a better understanding of what I enjoy and dislike about it.

[1880nonsports]

it's good to hit the pause or refresh button once in a while.....

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Interesting posts, folks.

About 15 years ago I got frustrated with the escalating price of participation on the baseball side of the hobby and I more or less quit for other cards. That was stupid and smart all at once. Stupid in the sense that there is a great deal of alternative material out there and there is no reason why money should keep you from pursuing a baseball card collection. If the item you are seeking has soared past your budget, move on to something else. Maybe I can't afford a career-issued Ruth card but maybe I can afford an Exhibit or PC or team issue or premium. Or maybe I have to downgrade my expectations to a lower condition card. Just throwing up my hands in frustration because a RC had soared out of reach, as I did, was not helpful. At the same time, my sabbatical from baseball collecting was also smart in the sense that I found out that I enjoy other forms of card collecting too. When I came back to baseball cards it was with a richer appreciation of the hobby as well as a better understanding of what I enjoy and dislike about it.

Haha, well put Adam the money is passed my budget but only because of leaching succubus whom has no honor, morals, or concern for her son's well being.

Otherwise not only would I have some of my more desired cards but I'd have the most desired thing in life (my son).

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Joshchisox08

Otherwise not only would I have some of my more desired cards but I'd have the most desired thing in life (my son).

I'll see if I echo that sentiment April when mine is due! I'm also anticipating a break from the hobby at this time!

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Interesting posts, folks.

About 15 years ago I got frustrated with the escalating price of participation on the baseball side of the hobby and I more or less quit for other cards. That was stupid and smart all at once. Stupid in the sense that there is a great deal of alternative material out there and there is no reason why money should keep you from pursuing a baseball card collection. If the item you are seeking has soared past your budget, move on to something else. Maybe I can't afford a career-issued Ruth card but maybe I can afford an Exhibit or PC or team issue or premium. Or maybe I have to downgrade my expectations to a lower condition card. Just throwing up my hands in frustration because a RC had soared out of reach, as I did, was not helpful. At the same time, my sabbatical from baseball collecting was also smart in the sense that I found out that I enjoy other forms of card collecting too. When I came back to baseball cards it was with a richer appreciation of the hobby as well as a better understanding of what I enjoy and dislike about it.

Excellent post, Adam.

[The Nasty Nati]

Am I the only won that won Powerball last night?