“Blue Chip” Cards

[LEHR]

I define "blue chip" cards as high-grade HOF'ers that are highly coveted by most collectors and are very liquid. Think PSA/SGC 8+ cards of Mantle, Ruth, Cobb, Aaron, Robinson, Clemente, Mays, Rose, etc..

While very desirable to most I personally find most of what falls into my definition of "blue chip" cards to be boring at best. Oh, you have a PSA 8 Mantle?! Great, so do 13,000+ other people. This is why I rarely buy cards anymore.

But this is just my perspective and ultimately people should collect what makes them happy.

[parkplace33]

"Blue-chip stocks are large companies with strong brands, financially sound businesses and consistent earnings and cash flows. They also often pay sizable dividends. Blue-chip companies are typically leaders within their given market sectors and have successfully navigated economic downturns in the past."

From this definition, I would say the best player in the best grade. Some of those players were mentioned above.

[frankbmd]

Chipping will have a deleterious effect on grading and it really doesn't matter what color the chip is.

[Leon]

Blue chip - Visually appealing lower grade Cobb or Ruth..

[Johnny630]

Some have Blue Chips, I have Blue Cards

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Some have Blue Chips, I have Blue Cards

If you're going blue and going Mays, then you might as well go all in.

Admittedly, some might argue that some of these are more azzurro (sky blue) than true blue.

[GeoPoto]

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1667233565

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

"Blue-chip stocks are large companies with strong brands, financially sound businesses and consistent earnings and cash flows. They also often pay sizable dividends. Blue-chip companies are typically leaders within their given market sectors and have successfully navigated economic downturns in the past."

From this definition, I would say the best player in the best grade. Some of those players were mentioned above.

One difference I see is that when trouble comes, our government has shown a willingness to bail out blue chip companies; when the value of your 12.5 mil '52 Mantle starts freefalling, you're on your own.

[G1911]

The big players and big cards which have been popular for a very long time.

They can also be identified by looking at the cards the majority of collectors get very upset over when they see anything not serving the purpose of pumping that card up. Those are the ones lots have bought into as their safe picks

[MVSNYC]

Originally Posted by LEHR

I define "blue chip" cards as high-grade HOF'ers that are highly coveted by most collectors and are very liquid. Think PSA/SGC 8+ cards of Mantle, Ruth, Cobb, Aaron, Robinson, Clemente, Mays, Rose, etc..

While very desirable to most I personally find most of what falls into my definition of "blue chip" cards to be boring at best. Oh, you have a PSA 8 Mantle?! Great, so do 13,000+ other people. This is why I rarely buy cards anymore.

But this is just my perspective and ultimately people should collect what makes them happy.

I think you're on track with the players you've listed, but regarding "high-grade", I think that just speaks to condition (thus value)...but it's the player and set that qualifies it as blue chip (i.e. A PSA 2 1914 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb is blue chip, even though not high grade).

I'll also add Jackson, Wajo, Matty, Young, Gehrig, Joe D, Ted Williams...etc.

[LincolnVT]

Great conversation all. I guess I would agree with a lot that has been said. I feel like the “blue chip” cards in the hobby are those of well known highly collected players that appear in recognizable issues. While these cards may or may not be the most valuable, they have a trend of holding or increasing in value. I do feel that a “blue chip” card can be a card in lower grade. To me, it is more about the player and issue than the condition.

[babraham]

Speaking of blue chip...
this was a heck of a deal:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374315716552

1914 CJ Jackson PSA 5 for just a hair over $100k?
The last PSA 5 that went at auction went for $240k in January from Heritage. Seller prob should have looked at auction houses rather than ebay with Probstein.

Heritage has a PSA 1.5 right now that might be close to that $100k number.

[Rhotchkiss]

Yup, the big time CJs did terrible last night- Jackson, Matty, and Cobb. One would think it was the seller/forum, which may certainly have played a role; ebay is not the ideal place to sell those items at auction. But the super-sharp discount to recent sales is too significant for that to be the only reason. The CJs in Heritage will help inform whether last night’s prices are the result of the economy/state of the hobby, the selling forum, or both. I suspect it’s some of both.

Bright side is you know those items weren’t shilled…

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Yup, the big time CJs did terrible last night- Jackson, Matty, and Cobb. One would think it was the seller/forum, which may certainly have played a role; ebay is not the ideal place to sell those items at auction. But the super-sharp discount to recent sales is too significant for that to be the only reason. The CJs in Heritage will help inform whether last night’s prices are the result of the economy/state of the hobby, the selling forum, or both. I suspect it’s some of both.

Bright side is you know those items weren’t shilled…

+1 agreed shocked by the eBay prices last night. Someone got really lucky on those cards.
We will know better in 16 days with Heritage
The suspense

[sb1]

The number of heavy hitters that peruse ebay looking for cards like these is negligible.

I would be willing to bet you most of these pop up for auction again on another venue.

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Yup, the big time CJs did terrible last night- Jackson, Matty, and Cobb. One would think it was the seller/forum, which may certainly have played a role; ebay is not the ideal place to sell those items at auction. But the super-sharp discount to recent sales is too significant for that to be the only reason. The CJs in Heritage will help inform whether last night’s prices are the result of the economy/state of the hobby, the selling forum, or both. I suspect it’s some of both.

Bright side is you know those items weren’t shilled…

[Johnny630]

I believe with the new US Stock Market Bull Run beginning many of these blue chips are gonna sell higher and higher in this year's fall and next spring's major auctions to come, REA, MH, ML, And Heritage.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Yup, the big time CJs did terrible last night- Jackson, Matty, and Cobb. One would think it was the seller/forum, which may certainly have played a role; ebay is not the ideal place to sell those items at auction. But the super-sharp discount to recent sales is too significant for that to be the only reason. The CJs in Heritage will help inform whether last night’s prices are the result of the economy/state of the hobby, the selling forum, or both. I suspect it’s some of both.

Bright side is you know those items weren’t shilled…

Interesting... I heard a rumor that the set break was actually Probstein's cards, not a consignor.

Either way, I do think that break should have been done through an auction house.

[Madi$on18joshua]

That same card sold from Goldin in 2021 for $116k!!! My guess is the seller was absolutely SHOCKED with the final closing price!

[Republicaninmass]

Lots of excuses. Next thing will be about how the "packaging " at an auction house is better or more trusted than Probstein. I have an incredibly hard time believe buyers, consignors, and their Shillers, miss probstein auctions.