One piece of advice for a vintage collector starting out

[oldjudge]

One last thing—most of the time when someone gives you advice involving absolutes it is safe to take that advice with a large grain of salt. People like to say that collecting Cobb, Ruth, Mantle etc is a sure thing. Over time they will ALWAYS increase in value. They have certainly increased in value over the last thirty years but there is absolutely no assurance that they will increase in value over the next thirty. In fact, there is no assurance that many people will even be collecting these little pieces of paper in thirty years. Buy what you like with your disposable income but don’t assume that what you buy will be worth more when it comes time to sell it. These collectibles have no intrinsic value—remember that.

[Johnny630]

NEVER MIX EMOTIONS WITH INVESTING...

If you consider cards as investments or as the Late PWCC Calls them "Assets" keep emotions and feelings out of it.

If you consider your collection as a hobby filled with fun and enjoyment, buy what you love and don't let anyone steal your joy :-) best piece of advice I can give you is, Life is to Short have fun and be Kind to one another.

[JollyElm]

I call it Opportunity Accost:
When you come across a serious card (whether you need it or not) with a price that tells you if you don’t buy it right now, the very next person who sees it will immediately jump on it...YOU NEED TO BUY IT!!!

[BeanTown]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

People like to say that collecting Cobb, Ruth, Mantle etc is a sure thing. Over time they will ALWAYS increase in value. They have certainly increased in value over the last thirty years but there is absolutely no assurance that they will increase in value over the next thirty.

Jay, may you never make it as a fortune teller!

[Vintagedeputy]

“Collector grade” cards need love too. Not everything needs to be mint.