The Next "Big Cards"

[ASF123]

I'm thinking the '51 Bowman Willie Mays.

This seems like it's already happening too - when I first started thinking about buying some cards again last fall, it seemed like a no-brainer to pick up a 51B Mays as an undervalued card. I intended to get a nice one for, say, $3-4k. I didn't make the leap right away, though, and within a few weeks they were twice that.

[Wanaselja]

Originally Posted by ASF123

This seems like it's already happening too - when I first started thinking about buying some cards again last fall, it seemed like a no-brainer to pick up a 51B Mays as an undervalued card. I intended to get a nice one for, say, $3-4k. I didn't make the leap right away, though, and within a few weeks they were twice that.

The 51B Mays is already off and running, no next about it.
I have a PSA 10 Topps Gold Soto US300 that I was planning on selling in the Spring and then buying the Mays with that money but I think I miscalculated on that one.

[Wanaselja]

I can see Koufax’s RC and Clemente’s RC having a go. I know Clemente already had a big bump in 2015 or 16 but I could see those 2 cards gaining a lot of steam.

I’ll add the T206 Eddie Collins. That card should be at the same level as Lajoie and Speaker.

I’ll also add the 39 Play Ball Ted Williams.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Wanaselja

I can see Koufax’s RC and Clemente’s RC having a go. I know Clemente already had a big bump in 2015 or 16 but I could see those 2 cards gaining a lot of steam.

I’ll add the T206 Eddie Collins. That card should be at the same level as Lajoie and Speaker.

I’ll also add the 39 Play Ball Ted Williams.

I'll second the Collins, he's always undervalued. Also Wajo portrait which has already passed Young and is tracking behind Red Cobbs. Also Lajoie cards in general are undervalued.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Wanaselja

I’ll add the T206 Eddie Collins.

i sure hope so



Probably my favorite T206 image.

[ASF123]

That, sir, is an absolutely beautiful card.

[Touch'EmAll]

Given the difference in Modern between a PSA 9 vs. PSA 10 is really big. I might guess Willie Mays & Hank Aaron's in PSA 9 has headroom.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by ASF123

That, sir, is an absolutely beautiful card.

Thanks. When I purchased it the card 'spoke' to me like few do.

[Bigdaddy]

Probably will be tightly focused around cards I don't own.

All kidding aside, I think the demand will increase for the bigger stars with the best looking cards. Folks coming into the hobby (bringing the $$) are not gong to want someone that the general public does not know (Eddie Collins) or a card that does not present well, like a black and white exhibit or the cartoonish 1938 Goudey. So what might that be?? In my opinion:

1953 Topps Mays and some of his later cards in high grade
DiMaggio cards, especially the 1941 Play Ball and the 1948-49 Leaf
Ted Williams' cards
Yogi's cards in high grade
and possibly Stan Musial's cards, as they seem to be generally undervalued.

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

Pretty much ANY Jackie Robinson card...with only a handful of options of mainstream cards (years 1948 through 1956) I think eventually the demand for authentic, playing days cards of Jackie will reach the demand currently bestowed only on Ruth.

Jackie is likely the only baseball player that will continue to be taught about to kids in history class (for obvious reasons) literally forever.

SOME day, I think maybe even the Mantle mystique will fade a little...but Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth will be timeless.

Funny enough, I'm not good at taking my own advice. I very recently saved up a large-ish sum of money (for me) and decided I wanted to add a major piece to my collection. I currently don't own any Jackie cards, and the only Ruth card I own is rough looking 1935 Goudey 4 in 1. I debated for WEEKS whether to add a playing days Jackie card or a playing days Ruth card. And as the weeks went by, prices on both seemed to increase.

In the end, I went with Ruth (a beat up 1931 W517)...but only because his cards seem a little scarcer (and therefore more likely to get out of my price range), and I'm hopeful this current price spike will at least level off and leave me time to still save up and grab a Jackie Robinson card. I might have to lower my condition expectations, but hopefully SOMETHING will be available in my budget.

[jayshum]

I am hoping Ruth cards don't keep going up since I still need the 1935 Goudey 4 in 1 with the 5A back (I have the other 3 Ruths from the set). I missed out on a few of them and now I am worried that I will be priced out of any that do show up.

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

Originally Posted by jayshum

I am hoping Ruth cards don't keep going up since I still need the 1935 Goudey 4 in 1 with the 5A back (I have the other 3 Ruths from the set). I missed out on a few of them and now I am worried that I will be priced out of any that do show up.

Oddly, the 5A version is the one I have. I knew it was one of the rare ones. But I got it cheap a couple years ago because it has creases and a thumb tack hole right in the center.

I am S L O W L Y trying to put together a low grade basic set of 1935 Goudey too (all 36 card fronts) while also building a few of the puzzles. I have puzzle 5 complete (with the Ruth). I need two more to go on puzzle 4, and then most of puzzle 1 and then all of either puzzle 8 or 9 to get me to the 36.

[Exhibitman]

It is really kind of paralyzing. I have a big wad of cash on the sideline from past sales waiting for a good investment to pick up but everything is so GDMF expensive right now that I am reluctant.

[ASF123]

There are five graded 51B Mays currently on eBay for BIN (only one for auction):

PSA 5(MK) - $24,900 (+$106.24 shipping!)
SGC 4.5 - $15,951 (although shipping is free!)
PSA Auth/Alt - $8,750
PSA Auth/Alt - $8,999.99
PSA 2 - $8,990**

**When Dean's starts looking like a pretty good price...

[vansaad]

Originally Posted by thatkidfromjerrymaguire

Pretty much ANY Jackie Robinson card...with only a handful of options of mainstream cards (years 1948 through 1956) I think eventually the demand for authentic, playing days cards of Jackie will reach the demand currently bestowed only on Ruth.

Jackie is likely the only baseball player that will continue to be taught about to kids in history class (for obvious reasons) literally forever.

SOME day, I think maybe even the Mantle mystique will fade a little...but Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth will be timeless.

Funny enough, I'm not good at taking my own advice. I very recently saved up a large-ish sum of money (for me) and decided I wanted to add a major piece to my collection. I currently don't own any Jackie cards, and the only Ruth card I own is rough looking 1935 Goudey 4 in 1. I debated for WEEKS whether to add a playing days Jackie card or a playing days Ruth card. And as the weeks went by, prices on both seemed to increase.

In the end, I went with Ruth (a beat up 1931 W517)...but only because his cards seem a little scarcer (and therefore more likely to get out of my price range), and I'm hopeful this current price spike will at least level off and leave me time to still save up and grab a Jackie Robinson card. I might have to lower my condition expectations, but hopefully SOMETHING will be available in my budget.

As a Jackie collector, I may be biased, but I agree with you. Jackie has the perfect mix of historical importance that transcends baseball and great looking cards from iconic sets. The '48 Leaf, '49 Bowman, '52 and '53 Topps are all instantly recognizable, and the '47 Bond Bread portrait has gained steam as his true rookie card (and tough to find with less than 200 or so examples). All of these have soared in price along with other top cards, but I think they will become even harder to obtain next year when it's the 75th anniversary of his debut.

Good luck on your search for a nice Robinson. The '54 through '56 Topps are wonderful looking cards, too, and more plentiful in low to mid grades.