Prewar v. Postwar & Big Names...?

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

(like '84 Fleer Update)

Robert, speaking of which -

I have been after an '84 Fleer Update Kirby Puckett for some time. I love that card. Haven't pulled the trigger on one yet. That was always one of those "out of reach" 80's cards for me.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Robert, speaking of which -



I have been after an '84 Fleer Update Kirby Puckett for some time. I love that card. Haven't pulled the trigger on one yet. That was always one of those "out of reach" 80's cards for me.

I understand totally. I always wanted that one and the Clemens. That particular set was always mysterious to me as a teenager in that I hardly ever actually saw it and, when I did, those cards were way out of my reach. It was satisfying picking up that set a couple of years ago.

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[DeanH3]

I have collected lower grade pre-war for so long now, I guess it has allowed me to have a higher acceptance for lower post-war grades. I've found 4's even 3's to be very pleasing and not really expensive.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

I have collected lower grade pre-war for so long now, I guess it has allowed me to have a higher acceptance for lower post-war grades. I've found 4's even 3's to be very pleasing and not really expensive.

Nice cards...


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[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

I have collected lower grade pre-war for so long now, I guess it has allowed me to have a higher acceptance for lower post-war grades. I've found 4's even 3's to be very pleasing and not really expensive.

Sweet stuff, Dean! I have started collecting in a similar fashion. I used to think I had to have high grade but have changed. One of my favorites is a PSA 3 Koufax rookie. Acceptance for lower grades has been very liberating for me personally.

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[DeanH3]

Thanks guys! I feel the same way too Robert. It is liberating to be more accepting of lower grades. I'm still a centering snob though.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

Thanks guys! I feel the same way too Robert. It is liberating to be more accepting of lower grades. I'm still a centering snob though.

Lol! We all have our bottom lines and standards. Centering are noticeable creasing are mine.

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[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

I understand totally. I always wanted that one and the Clemens. That particular set was always mysterious to me as a teenager in that I hardly ever actually saw it and, when I did, those cards were way out of my reach. It was satisfying picking up that set a couple of years ago.

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Was just looking at graded versions of the Clemens the other day on eBay...maybe some day!

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

Was just looking at graded versions of the Clemens the other day on eBay...maybe some day!

That's a dream card for us 80s guys. Good luck!!!

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[DeanH3]

If I had 5K to spend, I'd buy 1-2 cards that I otherwise would not be able to buy. The lower cost cards will be easier to cobble together over time.

Good luck on landing your Cobb. I don't think you'll regret it.

Wanted to add. The red Cobb can be deceptively tough to land with nice centering and registration. But well worth it when one surfaces.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

If I had 5K to spend, I'd buy 1-2 cards that I otherwise would not be able to buy. The lower cost cards will be easier to cobble together over time.

Good luck on landing your Cobb. I don't think you'll regret it.

Wanted to add. The red Cobb can be deceptively tough to land with nice centering and registration. But well worth it when one surfaces.

Regarding the spending of the hypothetical $5K, I agree. That is a level I am rarely at and would probably only be the result of having made a lot of sales. I have told myself if I ever got in that position that I would acquire a card or two that I otherwise couldn't touch. The smaller, lower grade stuff I can probably afford any time.

I have set my sights on the two Cobbs at this point. There are plenty of other candidates. A nice Clemente rookie or a Ted Williams rookie also cross my mind as do one of the '33 Goudey Ruth's (especially 53 or 149). Gehrig ('33 or '34 #37) is also someone who I would spend big on. And there's always Mantle...'53 Bowman and '56 Topps.

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[Exhibitman]

One exercise that might be interesting is to attend a large show like the National and walk the floor to get a feel for how much material is around. You will see a ton of high-graded slabbed postwar, a ton of postwar raw, and limited quantities of prewar. The more obscure prewar issue and postwar regional stuff will be few and far between. If rarity is your thing, that's the focus. It is for me. I would rather own one of a handful of known cards than one of thousands of known cards.

The corollary discussion of course is the relationship between rarity and demand. The 1952 Topps Mantle is the most extreme example. It is an easy card: every major auction has one and there are dozens at every National. Just a matter of shelling out the cash. Demand drives that card. A 1952 National Tea label is hella rare in any circumstance, way more than the Mantle, but no one except a few player and type collectors have even heard of them.