The Hobby: Bulls, Bears and Chicken Little

[Laxcat]

Post war baseball is what I do for a living.

The crazy prices have knocked me for a loop. I don't have tons of high grade stuff, but more than my fair share of mid grade. Not sure if the $$$ can stay where they are, but I am of the belief that they aren't going to come back down to where they were. I have seen an increase in volume of sales and price realized even on mid grade 50's & 60's.

Here is the crazy part: HOfer & tougher cards always sell. Recently I have had more 50's & 60's commons sell. I think the higher price/visibility of the "ones everyone wants" has pulled some more casual collectors in the fold and they are purchasing what they can afford and WANT to collect.

Not everyone can put together a '52T Master Set but a midgrade '53T set is very doable.

[JustCollectVP]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

Recently I have had more 50's & 60's commons sell. I think the higher price/visibility of the "ones everyone wants" has pulled some more casual collectors in the fold and they are purchasing what they can afford and WANT to collect.

Not everyone can put together a '52T Master Set but a midgrade '53T set is very doable.

This is exactly the point that I was trying to make. There are plenty of alternatives for those that can't or won't play in the "game." It wasn't about anything other than pointing out that the hobby is strong and there are so many areas that collectors can participate in that don't cost an arm and a leg and where the prices aren't doubling from week to week.

It is easy to complain or find issues in the hobby. It is easy to be jealous or jaded. It is easy to feel or voice contempt. It is much harder to put the garbage aside and find time to really enjoy collecting . . . whatever it is that you collect.

I had a hobby friend that had a most amazing collection . . . one that dwarfed most others. Whenever we had hobby discussions, he focused and directed his complete attention and excitement to the collections and discussions of all the others in the group. It was genuine and whether someone collected some obscure prewar issue or was working on a Chipper Jones POG collection, he was fascinated and beamed his infectious smile, demonstrating that we ALL have the same "collector gene" in our DNA. I am pretty sure that he found much enjoyment by sharing in our enjoyment. I miss that. I miss him.

[Al C.risafulli]

I miss him.

+1

-Al

[btcarfagno]

I don't do too much in cards so I am pretty much just watching in amazement. It would be cool if this were to get some national media traction. That could exacerbate the situation even more.

As long as this doesn't interfere with the few things that I collect, I will be fine with it. I don't want to be in the position of having stuff that I have exponentially rise in value and tempt me to sell. Would be a nice problem to be faced with I suppose, but I would rather collect in peace.

Tom C

[bbcard1]

i have most of what I want and most of what I have is not the crazy price stuff. I generally now do opportunity buying. I saw some low priced lots in Leon's auction and picked them up. If a mid grade 67 set less the Mantle, Carew, B Robinson and Seaver comes up, I might play as that is the next in the backward sequence I'm looking for.

[ALR-bishop]

I am wondering if the OP's real goal is to increase the prices of Heather Thomas memorabilia

[pclpads]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I am wondering if the OP's real goal is to increase the prices of Heather Thomas memorabilia

Better her than Justice Thomas . . . unless your collection focus
is on dunces.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by pclpads

Better her than Justice Thomas . . . unless your collection focus
is on dunces.

+1

[Leon]

Originally Posted by pclpads

Better her than Justice Thomas . . . unless your collection focus
is on dunces.

There are strict rules about political commentary. It's pretty much zero tolerance. Thanks....

[pokerplyr80]

I agree that people claiming they can't afford to collect any more is pretty ridiculous. I can't afford a Koufax or Clemente 8 any more, but nice mid grade examples are still affordable and readily available. And if those are out of your price range recent events shouldn't impact you at all because you weren't buying even at the old prices.

I understand the outrage if people truly believe the market is being manipulated. I don't think anyone can say with certainty that it's not at least possible something shady is going on. But I believe most of the people who are the most upset feel that way either because they sold key cards before the price increase, or failed to step up for the cards they wanted and are now priced out.

[Leon]

I agree completely. There are plenty of cards that are collectible and affordable. I was fondling this rookie this morning remembering the days I was collecting Topps in the late 60s, very cool. And this Harrington's (to get back to pre-war) I picked up from a table mate a few years ago at the National. Nothing expensive here but still pretty neat cards for a grown up kid. (or an "ungrown" up kid too)

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I agree that people claiming they can't afford to collect any more is pretty ridiculous. I can't afford a Koufax or Clemente 8 any more, but nice mid grade examples are still affordable and readily available. And if those are out of your price range recent events shouldn't impact you at all because you weren't buying even at the old prices.

I understand the outrage if people truly believe the market is being manipulated. I don't think anyone can say with certainty that it's not at least possible something shady is going on. But I believe most of the people who are the most upset feel that way either because they sold key cards before the price increase, or failed to step up for the cards they wanted and are now priced out.

[ullmandds]

+1

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I agree that people claiming they can't afford to collect any more is pretty ridiculous. I can't afford a Koufax or Clemente 8 any more, but nice mid grade examples are still affordable and readily available. And if those are out of your price range recent events shouldn't impact you at all because you weren't buying even at the old prices.

I understand the outrage if people truly believe the market is being manipulated. I don't think anyone can say with certainty that it's not at least possible something shady is going on. But I believe most of the people who are the most upset feel that way either because they sold key cards before the price increase, or failed to step up for the cards they wanted and are now priced out.

[JustCollectVP]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I am wondering if the OP's real goal is to increase the prices of Heather Thomas memorabilia

Al:

I'm guessing most my age remember these posters...



She's weathered a bit (heavy drug usage in the early 80's and far too much surgery) and she'd still ignore me...