$15,000 to spend on 1-5 cards...WWYD?

[raulus]

This isn’t much in terms of advice, but since no one else has mentioned it:

Buy what you like! Whatever will bring you joy and make you a little bit happier every time you see it or think about having it in your collection.

In my humble opinion, that should be your primary focus when buying cards, particularly nice ones that cost a lot of money.

If you’re hoping to make money on it, then that’s just a nice side effect, and icing on the cake. But also somewhat unpredictable, even with the excellent suggestions and hopes and dreams that others have suggested here. You might make some money on it, and you might not. But your personal enjoyment should be something that you can predict with much more confidence.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by raulus

This isn’t much in terms of advice, but since no one else has mentioned it:

Buy what you like! Whatever will bring you joy and make you a little bit happier every time you see it or think about having it in your collection.

In my humble opinion, that should be your primary focus when buying cards, particularly nice ones that cost a lot of money.

If you’re hoping to make money on it, then that’s just a nice side effect, and icing on the cake. But also somewhat unpredictable, even with the excellent suggestions and hopes and dreams that others have suggested here. You might make some money on it, and you might not. But your personal enjoyment should be something that you can predict with much more confidence.

Post 17.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Post 17.

Upon further review…

Since only one other person has mentioned it, and even then only somewhat briefly…

Buy what you like!

[oldjudge]

I think Peter is right. I might buy the nicest 1921 Ruth exhibit I could get for the money. I would also look at Old Judge HOFers with sharp images. I would pay up for a King Kelly or Ed Delahanty with a sharp image. Especially in that condition they are scarce and I believe undervalued.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I think Peter is right. I might buy the nicest 1921 Ruth exhibit I could get for the money. I would also look at Old Judge HOFers with sharp images. I would pay up for a King Kelly or Ed Delahanty with a sharp image. Especially in that condition they are scarce and I believe undervalued.

Babe Ruth has much wider and deeper iconic/cultural appeal than Ty Cobb, great as Cobb was. Ruth is #1 on every single list you can find of all time greats. Ruth is still arguably the greatest home run hitter ever. Ruth is the Yankees and multiple WS wins, Cobb isn't even in that discussion. Ruth is The House That Ruth Built and the called shot and the stomach ache heard round the world and hitting home runs for dying kids and however many other famous stories, how many does Cobb figure in? Etc.

[rhettyeakley]

This type of question has been asked for the past 20 years in this forum (and its predecessor). The answer is always exactly the same because people are predictable.

Not many will venture beyond the most commonly collected sets… so T206, Goudey, Cracker Jack, etc

Not many will venture beyond the most commonly collected players… so Ruth, Cobb, Gehrig, Joe Jackson, Wagner, etc

Put them together and you will have the answer to your question.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

This type of question has been asked for the past 20 years in this forum (and its predecessor). The answer is always exactly the same because people are predictable.

Not many will venture beyond the most commonly collected sets… so T206, Goudey, Cracker Jack, etc

Not many will venture beyond the most commonly collected players… so Ruth, Cobb, Gehrig, Joe Jackson, Wagner, etc

Put them together and you will have the answer to your question.

If you want to be a bit contrarian, instead of playing it safe, you could attempt to identify a currently under loved issue, and go nuts on it. That Briggs meat Mays suggestion could be an example. Although I’m currently the only one on the PSA set registry who collects that set, so you might not want to go there. But maybe that’s precisely the reason to get in now before the crowd goes nuts and bids them up to the stratosphere.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by raulus

If you want to be a bit contrarian, instead of playing it safe, you could attempt to identify a currently under loved issue, and go nuts on it. That Briggs meat Mays suggestion could be an example. Although I’m currently the only one on the PSA set registry who collects that set, so you might not want to go there. But maybe that’s precisely the reason to get in now before the crowd goes nuts and bids them up to the stratosphere.

I personally only collect the stuff not included in my answer so by my nature I am a contrarian. Common sets have never really appealed to me but I understand I am in the minority and so if one is looking for investment advice buy the commonly collected sets & players.

[anchorednw]

Originally Posted by raulus

Upon further review…

Since only one other person has mentioned it, and even then only somewhat briefly…

Buy what you like!

Buy what you like? Well now that's just too broad as I have way too many interests. That's my first problem.

Hence why I have even contemplated spreading the 15K around and picking off 5, 10, even 20 cards that appeal to me, am actively trying to persue to complete projects, etc.

Investment isn't the end all here, but I would hope that something beautiful, rare and in demand would appreciate.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by anchorednw

Buy what you like? Well now that's just too broad as I have way too many interests. That's my first problem.

Hence why I have even contemplated spreading the 15K around and picking off 5, 10, even 20 cards that appeal to me, am actively trying to persue to complete projects, etc.

Investment isn't the end all here, but I would hope that something beautiful, rare and in demand would appreciate.

Most of us have a list that we keep. For some of us, the list grows every year, even when we pick up a lot of the things on the list.

If I were you, I’d take some time to ponder what you want to have on your list. Make it as long or as short as you like, and start with the stuff at the top of the list.

There’s no right or wrong answers here. It’s your list, not mine, or anyone else’s. It sounds like you might even have a pretty good list already, and maybe you just need to decide which items are the most important on that list.

Then it’s just a question of quality or quantity. Do you buy just one item for your $15k that is the nicest you can afford? Or do you spread it around and buy 10 or 20 items from your list that are lower quality?

In some ways, that might be just as important a question to figure out. And if you’re looking to invest for a return, there are good arguments for both sides. But I would argue for buying one piece that is the nicest that you can afford with your budget, particularly if you’re going to buy popular players from popular issues.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by anchorednw

Buy what you like? Well now that's just too broad as I have way too many interests. That's my first problem.

Hence why I have even contemplated spreading the 15K around and picking off 5, 10, even 20 cards that appeal to me, am actively trying to persue to complete projects, etc.

Investment isn't the end all here, but I would hope that something beautiful, rare and in demand would appreciate.

I think most people would tell you to buy just one card if you are buying more as an investor than a collector, you're going to get either a card at a better tier or in a significantly better grade than if you split it two or more ways.

[ngrow9]

One card I haven't seen mentioned yet is a high-end 34 Goudey Gehrig #37. Admittedly, Ruth is probably a safer bet to appreciate than Gehrig, but I'd put Lou in there with Mays, Mantle, Jackie, etc., in the next tier down.

[bbcard1]

10K in an Ibond for a year and see how things shake out. $5000 for a nice preesentable Topps set from the 1950s or one nice big card.

[NYYFan63]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

10K in an Ibond for a year and see how things shake out. $5000 for a nice preesentable Topps set from the 1950s or one nice big card.

Funny you should mention the IBond. A buddy of mine mentioned it to me this afternoon. I have never heard of them but they pay a great interest rate.


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[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by anchorednw

Buy what you like? Well now that's just too broad as I have way too many interests. That's my first problem.

Hence why I have even contemplated spreading the 15K around and picking off 5, 10, even 20 cards that appeal to me, am actively trying to persue to complete projects, etc.

Investment isn't the end all here, but I would hope that something beautiful, rare and in demand would appreciate.

Your original OP said investment only, but what you're really asking is "what should I collect that I'll enjoy that will appreciate over time"

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Your original OP said investment only, but what you're really asking is "what should I collect that I'll enjoy that will appreciate over time"

The good old value minded collector thing. I subscribe to that.