Mia Hamm RC in Goldin Auctions

[aro13]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

Fair enough.... but where did the market suddenly come from??

Baseball and other sport cards have been collected primarily in Canada and the US for well over a century, with most male youths exposed to varying degrees at some point. This has allowed "the market" to grow and prosper, with valuation following once demand was created.

There has never been a LARGE market outside North America for sports cards, but all of sudden, countries with absolutely zero history of collecting cards, and people that have never been exposed are feverishly collecting out of thin air? In large numbers?? Really??

What history of collecting is there for soccer or NASCAR cards that people are currently spending huge sums of money on them? They went from almost no value to priceless overnight??
It makes no sense, hence it's NOT primarily collectors, but those just trying to make money off the hobby buying these and inflating the values.... nothing more.

The market for baseball cards might be limited to North America and Japan but for sports like basketball where there is a huge global market and hockey, which has a huge European market it is different. Soccer would attract all collecting markets. Not just North America.

Personally, I don't think the Hamm card is ultimately that rare (I believe S.I. circulation is around 950,000) and as mentioned PSA grading of S.I. for kids is even more inconsistent than their general grading. So that particular price seems way out of line. But women's sports and interest in women's sports is taking off.

The supply for RC's of future HOFers and all-time greats like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Megan Rapinoe, Serena Williams, Flo-Jo, Simone Biles etc. is very limited compared to what the demand ultimately could end up being.

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by aro13

The market for baseball cards might be limited to North America and Japan but for sports like basketball where there is a huge global market and hockey, which has a huge European market it is different. Soccer would attract all collecting markets. Not just North America.

Personally, I don't think the Hamm card is ultimately that rare (I believe S.I. circulation is around 950,000) and as mentioned PSA grading of S.I. for kids is even more inconsistent than their general grading. So that particular price seems way out of line. But women's sports and interest in women's sports is taking off.

The supply for RC's of future HOFers and all-time greats like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Megan Rapinoe, Serena Williams, Flo-Jo, Simone Biles etc. is very limited compared to what the demand ultimately could end up being.

That's my point... traditionally, there are no "markets" for sports cards outside North America, so where did the demand suddenly come from and how did it sprout instantly out of thin air??

With all due respect, it's impossible... common sense says it's investors and speculators.... and almost zero "collectors".

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

That's my point... traditionally, there are no "markets" for sports cards outside North America, so where did the demand suddenly come from and how did it sprout instantly out of thin air??

With all due respect, it's impossible... common sense says it's investors and speculators.... and almost zero "collectors".

It sprouted because people (all around the world) see a Tom Brady card selling for $2 million+, and wonder why there can't also be a liquid market for dominant and recognizable athletes in the worldwide sports arena.

I love the NFL and have almost zero interest in soccer, but to be honest, nobody gives a rat's ass about the NFL, outside the U.S.. It's strictly a regional sport. No more popular around the world then Rugby or Cricket.

.............and also, people outside the U.S., have been producing and collecting an untold number of cards for just as long as we have. They just hadn't com-modified it quite to the level as we have since the 80's.

But as far as pure "collecting" goes....the Brits were preserving their cards in albums and pages pages, pumping out card catalogues, and enjoying them for their aesthetic value, looooonnnng before we were.

It's why lots of 20's and 30's sets from that part of the world can still be found in tip top condition today. The Germans were also huge card producers/collectors.