Sell my 52T Mays?

[drcy]

My philosophy is if you can get substantial profit, take it. But that's my philosophy.

I think Mays is a bit undervalued and forgotten at this moment. When he dies, he will likely get a great deal of attention as one of the 1-3 greatest baseball players of all time. His Negro League ties will aid in this attention.

[jchcollins]

Cracking up remembering the time a kid brought a '52 Topps Mays to junior high school and was showing it off. This was like 1990, maybe. I think it belonged to some relative? It wasn't in great shape but it was real - I knew enough about cards even then to realize. At the time probably a $500 card. That kid traded me a lot of things over the years, but he wouldn't trade that, LOL.

[dio]

No one can tell you when the top is. Just if you sold,try not to look back. Just enjoy your cash depreciation when fed prints more money

[ccre]

I'm curious how many of you have shifted from collecting cards to investing in cards at this point. Essentially moving from collecting what you like to collecting what you think will be a big investment.

[1880nonsports]

but I have faced that problem MANY times albeit not at that lofty a level. Unless it can't be replaced - lock up a good profit and buy a NICE card in it's place.

[dio]

Originally Posted by 1880nonsports

but I have faced that problem MANY times albeit not at that lofty a level. Unless it can't be replaced - lock up a good profit and buy a NICE card in it's place.

It can be replaced. But knowing you sold it for xxx amount. Later when it rises to xxxx . Even you have the money you will not buy it back because in your mind you remember you sold it for xxx

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Sell it and find the best looking replacement at a lower grade level. You'll still own the card and will have taken some $ off the table at a great price.

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by dio

It can be replaced. But knowing you sold it for xxx amount. Later when it rises to xxxx . Even you have the money you will not buy it back because in your mind you remember you sold it for xxx

This happens with lots of sales. We would never sell anything if we thought this way I see cards I had that are selling for many times more than I sold them for. Especially when grading came along. Sell & purchase a lower grade for less money. Joe

[dio]

I regretted sold 2x 86 Jordan 8.5 for 850. 1200 for 51 Bowman mantle 3 and others when I need to buy a house back in 10. I should have just ride it through without selling. Lesson learned. After that I have been buying back and never really sold a single card. Maybe down the line in future I might have to. But I'm not selling something I love and will continue to appreciate unless I have to.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by ccre

I'm curious how many of you have shifted from collecting cards to investing in cards at this point. Essentially moving from collecting what you like to collecting what you think will be a big investment.

I invest in companies and my business, I collect cards. Yes, my collection is worth quite a bit but its for my pleasure that I collect. My son and daughter can decide what to do with my collection after I'm gone.

I also don't think I would be a very good card investor/flipper since my collecting journey is personal I can't separate the two.

[Mike D.]

Another angle - what would you do with the profits? You say you don’t need the money, but money you don’t need can be powerful.

Buy other cards you’d really enjoy? Go on a dream vacation? Retire 6 months earlier? Donate to a charity near and dear to your heart?

If those things would give you more joy than owning the card...sell. If not, hang onto the card and don’t worry about what it’s worth!

[iwantitiwinit]

Don't be a numbskull sell it. In my opinion prices are beyond rational as are equity prices, cryptocurrencies, real estate in many locations, etc. It can't last forever and never does. When this ends it will be more than painful to many people. That said if the money doesn't mean anything then do what your heart tells you.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by ccre

I'm curious how many of you have shifted from collecting cards to investing in cards at this point. Essentially moving from collecting what you like to collecting what you think will be a big investment.

I'd quit collecting before I focused on the financial aspect first. I will admit to being as intrigued by the dollar value of my collection as the next guy, but I think any more that's just being basically responsible given the price tags that are starting to accompany certain vintage cards.

But no, first and foremost - a card has to appeal to my sense of history and nostalgia and give me my "fix" in that department. Here lately that seems to be late 60's and early 70's sets. There was a time I would have snubbed such things and was interested only in 1950's cards. I sometimes have no idea what motivates me, but I can tell you for sure it's not money. (Unless you count figuring out how to get more money to spend on cards...)

[Jewish-collector]

Everything's relative. When a collector says their collection is worth "a lot" or "quite a bit" or "very valuable", that can mean $2,500 or $25,000 or $250,000 or $2.5 million or $25 million, etc,... It's nice to see cards skyrocket in price, but it's a double edged sword because it pushes others out of the hobby. I think it's only going to get worse as the balance tips even further to the business side of the hobby.

In terms of Brian selling his Mays or not, there's no right or wrong answer. You have to do what makes you happy in this hobby/business.

[Jason19th]

I am having the same dilemma with my 52 Jackie. I have an A that I paid 900 for. It’s looks great and I am seeing all of these much worse looking 1’s going for 4,000. I really comes down to 1. Do you need the money 2. I there something you want more you could buy and 3. Is the profit so much that you cannot justify keeping. When I think about profit I like to think about if it’s an amount of money that I would notice six months from now or would it just go into the wash