Nolan Ryan question

[Rookiemonster]

71 in mid grade is still demands a good price . Does anyone think these cards have investment potential?

[Robs70sCards]

I got my 71 back in 2003 on Ebay, along with about half the set evenly spaced, albeit in lower grade form, but I don't think I paid more than $15 for each for both my 71 and 72 Ryans. They're a little funky, but no major creases, paper loss or markings, so I'm happy with that.

I know I'm going to have to bite the bullet on the 69 and 70 at some point though.

[Exhibitman]

Ryan is one of my favorites. I assembled a run of 1969-80 recently, using cards I had and new cards too. Some random thoughts on the issues' relative difficulties:

1969: Semi high number and a great looking 2nd year card of an Amazin' Met from the miracle year.



1970: High number with tough color borders



1971: Black bordered nightmare in higher grades



1972: semi high number, first Angels card

1973: tough to find centered and sharp. I think 1973 has the worst card stock of the decade.



1975: centering and color borders



1977, 1979: usually o/c

1974-1976-1978 are no more difficult than any cards of their respective years.

[Lgarza99]

Adam,
That 1970 Ryan is a beauty! I might have to start my own run. Ryan was one of my favorites too.

[divecchia]

I think Ryan cards command such high prices because he has such a large fan base, especially in his home state of Texas and many other southern states. Add to that the fact that most Ryan collectors (and I know more than a few of them) are so fanatical about his cards that the competition especially on the early cards and in higher grades is always fierce. I've gotten very few bargains during my time collecting older Ryan cards.

In short I think it has a lot to do with the collector base for the player or a set that determine the prices. Yes, investors and sometime shill bidders may send the prices higher, but if there is only a small collector base those investors would have very few people to sell to at those high prices and eventually prices would drop.

Donato

PS. Very nice Ryan cards, Adam. The 1971 is my favorite.

[Gr8Beldini]

I think its because it's in a boring, unpopular set, but Nolan's 1974 card (to me) if his quintessential card. Angels uniform; letting 'er rip. Very reasonably priced in nice shape.

[Rookiemonster]

Adam sick cards as always! I just picked up a 1970 Ryan I'll show pics later .