A question about the current market

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by perezfan

I would tend to agree with this. Anytime people outside of the hobby (any hobby- not just cards) are hearing about it and giving advice, the opportunity has likely already come and gone. I think we are in a bubble that's going to burst sooner rather than later.

Maybe if they actually start playing baseball in July, it will sustain interest and card prices for a while longer. But as actual jobs are lost and federal/state government benefits subside, the euphoria is likely to come back down to earth.

This is pretty much the opposite of what I've experienced. Whenever I mention lately how I've gotten involved in the hobby again, everyone I know (from various walks of life) looks at me like they haven't thought of baseball cards since they were little kids.

And while there's been a decent move in a lot of prices since the shutdown began, I don't think much besides '80s basketball has been even close to bubble-like yet. Other than some exceptions like the ridiculously high-end Trout and Brady rookies, and I'm not sure how much of that is the rarity of those cards. I actually found an old SCD from April '92 the other day and was surprised how most post war vintage (around grade EX/EX-MT or lower) is selling today for the same prices as 28 years ago. The only people laughing to the bank from years ago with those are the ones who have had around PSA 8 or higher material (or the '52 T Mantle).

It has a different feel than the junk wax boom. That made sports cards a total fad for a few years, while this might be more lasting collectibles interest in general. I hope, anyway

[Bobbycee]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

This is pretty much the opposite of what I've experienced. Whenever I mention lately how I've gotten involved in the hobby again, everyone I know (from various walks of life) looks at me like they haven't thought of baseball cards since they were little kids.

And while there's been a decent move in a lot of prices since the shutdown began, I don't think much besides '80s basketball has been even close to bubble-like yet. Other than some exceptions like the ridiculously high-end Trout and Brady rookies, and I'm not sure how much of that is the rarity of those cards. I actually found an old SCD from April '92 the other day and was surprised how most post war vintage (around grade EX/EX-MT or lower) is selling today for the same prices as 28 years ago. The only people laughing to the bank from years ago with those are the ones who have had around PSA 8 or higher material (or the '52 T Mantle).

It has a different feel than the junk wax boom. That made sports cards a total fad for a few years, while this might be more lasting collectibles interest in general. I hope, anyway

Sorry, but I most definitely disagree with you one one point. I started collecting T206's 25 years ago & was paying $20-$25 per card for commons (sometimes as low at $15 for VG-EX commons on Ebay) & around $125 for lower tier HOFers. Prices on T206 have now gone up multiple times over the past 25 years. So, I'd say you are way off, on at least T206's, which is a huge part of Pre War collecting.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by Bobbycee

Sorry, but I most definitely disagree with you one one point. I started collecting T206's 25 years ago & was paying $20-$25 per card for commons (sometimes as low at $15 for VG-EX commons on Ebay) & around $125 for lower tier HOFers. Prices on T206 have now gone up multiple times over the past 25 years. So, I'd say you are way off, on at least T206's, which is a huge part of Pre War collecting.

I was only referring to post-war (was in the post) since I have virtually no knowledge of pre-war. Did not know that T206s have done that well in that time period though.

Interesting how much the pre-war lower grade stuff has outperformed in that period though.

I think green Cobb sales have actually flattened a bit lately. I have not seen any kind of COVID uptick at all so I would not hesitate to pull the trigger right now one bit

[bbcard1]

Personally, I think baseball cards are tracking with art right now. I have seen a lot of stuff for sale, but not a lot at prices that tempted me.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by Gobucsmagic74

I think green Cobb sales have actually flattened a bit lately. I have not seen any kind of COVID uptick at all so I would not hesitate to pull the trigger right now one bit

Agree completely.

Peace, Mike

[phikappapsi]

My take on this hobby is that it's not an investment - do it for fun, buy what you enjoy, and spend what you feel comfortable owning something for.

that said - if I were to approach it like investing, this would be one of those things where dollar cost averaging makes a WHOLE LOT OF SENSE.

Buy consistently; over a long enough period of time, and what you overpaid for in a bubble will be more than made up for by what you got a "bargain" on in all other periods.

[Farm_kid]

I like the tone of Joe H and sreader3's posts in tandem! Both reinforce the notion that collecting is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, not totally stressful and regretful. My one caveat though is that part of the fun is the "chase", "hunt", "journey" or whatever you want to call it.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by phikappapsi

Buy consistently; over a long enough period of time, and what you overpaid for in a bubble will be more than made up for by what you got a "bargain" on in all other periods.

+1

Every time I find myself regretting the SGC 60 T206 Red Cobb I sold for a few thousand dollars before they started skyrocketing, I look over at all the signed T206 cards I paid a couple of hundred dollars for for 12 years ago. Though I love watching the values, I don't really treat my cards like an actual investment. I just collect what I love.