High end Koufax rookie vs low grade Ruth

[orly57]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

RUTH all day every day...I wouldn't even put a koufax rookie in the same solar system!

+1

Ryan, Im not a fan of “A” cards either, but a Ruth rookie is one of the few exceptions I could probably live with. I don’t know that I would actually BUY an A Ruth, but the hypothetical asks which you prefer to own (I wouldn’t buy an ultra high grade Koufax either). High grades don’t really blow me away; yesterday’s 8 is today’s 6.5, but a Ruth rookie is a Ruth rookie. Obviously I would need to see the card before making this decision, since there are so many different reasons why a card could be labeled “authentic.” But if it presents fairly well, I would prefer the authentic Ruth, and it isn’t particularly close.

[yanksfan09]

Ruth, no question. I would always value rarity and better player than a more common card in higher grade.

[maximus35]

I already own the PSA Koufax 8.5 but I am debating selling it to get $ to purchase the Collin McCarthy Ruth. The CM Ruth is a card I’ve always wanted. I love the pose and that he’s in a Red Sox uniform. I just wanted your guys opinion if you would rather own a high end vintage card or bottom of the low end pre war.

[Rhotchkiss]

This "would you rather own a high end vintage card or bottom of the low end pre war", is a much different question than whether you would rather own a 1955 Koufax 8.5 or a 1917 Ruth 1.

I think the board generally supports your thinking of selling the Koufax 8.5 to own the 1917 Ruth (A, 1 or otherwise). But lets be clear that the decision is based on Ruth, not the pre-war aspect of the card.

Me, personally, I don't really collect much newer than the 1920's (and most of my stuff is 1911 and older), and that's because I like rarer cards. But if you came up to me an offered me a PSA 8.5 Koufax rookie, there are few "low end pre war" cards I would choose over the Koufax -- a 1917 Collins McCarthy Ruth is definitely one card I would choose over the Koufax.