Another card investment thread

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Donscards

That would be a great one, but it will cost over 10K--there is a psa 2 going in a auction right now at 16K with the juice----I think lower grade 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth's and T206 Ty Cobb's would be a good investment for under 10K.

you're right...you won't go wrong with centered cobb/ruth cards

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

you're right...you won't go wrong with centered cobb/ruth cards

I couldn't agree more but they are going up quickly it seems.

[36GoudeyMan]

Best guess, other than the generally accepted Ruth/Gehrig/Cobb triad, would be for well-centered, mid-grade Cy Young, Nap Lajoie, Walter Johnson and Eddie Plank cards from mainstream sets like T206, Cracker Jacks, etc.

Also, some specific sets have cards that I think have potential over 5-10 years, such as Diamond Stars Bill Dickey, low # and high # cards, in higher grade, the #1 Lefty Grove card in high grade, 1934 Goudey Foxx, 1938 Goudey Feller, and many others similarly situated in mainstream sets.

There's resources out there, like the top 100 or 200 cards in the hobby, that can give you guidance on what is viewed by some/many as the most desirable or valuable cards, many of which an be had for under $10,000 in very desirable shape.

Good luck!!

[darwinbulldog]

Better yet, figure out what they're going to add when they change it to the Top 300 Sports Cards in the Hobby and buy the highest graded PSA examples you can afford of those 50 cards.

[Peter_Spaeth]

You will get as many answers as there are posters. Which I am sure will be helpful.

[barrysloate]

So people now want to invest in baseball cards without being card collectors and without any knowledge of what they should buy. Does that concern anyone?

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

You will get as many answers as there are posters. Which I am sure will be helpful.

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So people now want to invest in baseball cards without being card collectors and without any knowledge of what they should buy. Does that concern anyone?

Years ago I always went to the barber shop to get investment advice, but since I now have no hair, I’m stuck with Net54.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Years ago I always went to the barber shop to get investment advice, but since I now have no hair, I’m stuck with Net54.

I hope you followed the sage advice not long ago to buy bitcoin.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Years ago I always went to the barber shop to get investment advice, but since I now have no hair, I’m stuck with Net54.

LOL

And Barry, I don't personally care if people want to invest in cards without knowing or even liking them. It's American and I have a laissez-faire attitude.

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Years ago I always went to the barber shop to get investment advice, but since I now have no hair, I’m stuck with Net54.

When I was a kid - the Barber Shop had a Pristine example of a Jackalope mounted on the wall. Such a rare creature - Haven't seen another one since.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So people now want to invest in baseball cards without being card collectors and without any knowledge of what they should buy. Does that concern anyone?

Great point.

I would suggest they get a box of 500 silver Maple Leaf ounce coins for about $8,500 and the best PSA graded T205 Joss they could get for the remainder of the dough. To me, that is the most under-rated card in that set.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So people now want to invest in baseball cards without being card collectors and without any knowledge of what they should buy. Does that concern anyone?

I'd recommend fine 18th century english furniture...always in good taste!!!!

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I'd recommend fine 18th century english furniture...always in good taste!!!!

I hear 18th century English furniture makes excellent fire wood.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So people now want to invest in baseball cards without being card collectors and without any knowledge of what they should buy. Does that concern anyone?

I think it's just a sly way to get people to divulge what they're hiding in their collections.

[Cozumeleno]

Based on the rarity and where the green Ty Cobb T206 is, Cobb's T205 has seemed undervalued to me for a while.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So people now want to invest in baseball cards without being card collectors and without any knowledge of what they should buy. Does that concern anyone?

Not anymore than people who blindly put money into the stock market or their 401k without researching the funds they have chosen. People should have a full understanding of what they are investing in regardless of the type of investment.

[packs]

I'd put the money into multiple blue chip cards over one card. Let's say you buy that Cobb PC and you make $5,000. Maybe that's good, but I'd rather buy all the Green Cobbs I could with 10K and then make the multiples later. If you bought 5 Green Cobbs for 10K 5 years ago you're looking at a huge windfall now.

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Not anymore than people who blindly put money into the stock market or their 401k without researching the funds they have chosen. People should have a full understanding of what they are investing in regardless of the type of investment.

Huge difference in that the stock market has been the traditional vehicle for investments. The same cannot be stated in any realistic or tangible way regarding baseball cards.

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Not anymore than people who blindly put money into the stock market or their 401k without researching the funds they have chosen. People should have a full understanding of what they are investing in regardless of the type of investment.

This is it in a nutshell. More people put more money in blue chip stocks or index funds without due diligence than in sports cards, and I'm sure EVERY investment (or quasi-investment) has a certain percentage of people doing this.
One of my biggest lessons, whether for my PC or cards I intent to flip, is to buy cards that I will enjoy even if the market collapses. I may lose, but I will still have something to enjoy.
With that in mind, I'd also suggest that your family member consider other places to invest this money. From your description, this $10k isn't going to make or break them, so I would ask them what they are interested in or passionate about and find something that they can get personal enjoyment out of. Art, wine, comics, tulip bulbs (ok, maybe not that), vinyl, whatever. This could be more than an opportunity to make money, this could be a chance to develop a hobby and gain more experience and expertise in a field they enjoy.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So people now want to invest in baseball cards without being card collectors and without any knowledge of what they should buy. Does that concern anyone?

This was my first thought. This is not good. Once people who have no idea what they're doing start getting in, it usually signifies a problem.

[rjackson44]

leons card is gorgeous

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by conor912

This was my first thought. This is not good. Once people who have no idea what they're doing start getting in, it usually signifies a problem.

Quoted for truth

[joshuanip]

Originally Posted by conor912

This was my first thought. This is not good. Once people who have no idea what they're doing start getting in, it usually signifies a problem.

For me not one bit. TPGs have limitations, but they are commoditizing (raw cards into value buckets) makes it easier to assign value, thus adding liquidity, thus adding value. In fact, the more we get to i) a market where graded cards are the standard and ii) price indications as a result of online sales research (ebay and auctions), the more our cards will retain value and withstand future market dislocations.

The fact that people are interested and looking into card collecting is a GOOD thing, not something to be weary of. (I'd be more weary of having no where to hide in this asset bubble environment we are in.)