Downward trend in card values?

[ullmandds]

as others...including myself predicted...as the old timers die off and/or get out of the hobby...the cards that will continue to be desirable to new/existing collectors are the big name HOF'ers...not common...2nd series 1956 topps.

Just my opine!

[hangman62]

I see the bottom dropping out of the vintage card market

Slowly all the cards are losing value, and someday will be totally worthless

[bswhiten]

A quick look at Mantle base cards on VCP shows a lot of red down arrows on the mid to high grade examples... come on bottom fall out so I can buy a nice 52 Mantle

[OsFan]

Out of curiosity is there anything we can draw a parallel to, something that was once highly coveted in the way cards have been but as the collectors died off so did the hobby? I know there are many collectibles that no longer hold the same interest or value as they once had but I’m not sure any of them had the massive collector as that baseball cards. This is always an interesting subject.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by OsFan

Out of curiosity is there anything we can draw a parallel to, something that was once highly coveted in the way cards have been but as the collectors died off so did the hobby? I know there are many collectibles that no longer hold the same interest or value as they once had but I’m not sure any of them had the massive collector as that baseball cards. This is always an interesting subject.

Stamps and books used to be hot, not as much anymore, from my understanding.

[Nugen]

I was thinking beer can collecting.

[Touch'EmAll]

Coins have cooled in last few years, trend looks to continue.

[Neal]

Personally, I believe that baseball card collecting is slowly and surely becoming a dying hobby. Certainly less and less .....

Graded commons may not have a true place in 20 years, as no one is really stepping up and taking over our spots. I have coached Little League for many years. These kids know Trout and Jeter, but do not know about Johnny Bench. Babe Ruth is certainly known, but only as legend. Foxx? Walter Johnson? George Brett? Nope. Granted this is a small sample size but I think there is truth and merit regarding the future of our hobby. My son knows that I love collecting, and is well educated on the players of yesteryear (mostly on his own btw) but has zero interest in collecting. He loves the sport and is pretty good at it, but like all the kids that I know at his age, they simply do not collect. Most never did in the first place.

Will a high grade, low pop common variation from the 50s or 60s continue to be sought after? My guess is a resounding no.

Theories abound regarding manipulation of the market, and I agree with most of them. Are they recognizing this trend or just trying to grossly capitalize? My guess is both.

I still enjoy collecting a great deal. We all do. I am sure my collecting will continue to the degree I am comfortable with, but can't help think that the future "investment" may not be there.