Memorabilia as an investment

[steve B]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

What would you rather HODL (hold on for dear life) over the next 10 years?

1. $100,000 worth of pre-war baseball cards
2. $100,000 worth of $VTSAX

Probably not the cards.
And that's based on my experience as a collector for closing on 50 years.
Some but only a handful of my cards have done very well. Most have not compared to the stock market. I've tended towards quantity, so when T206s were 1.50 for VG commons and 10 for most HOFers, I would buy the commons. I got a bunch of cards to enjoy instead of just one. (I'd actually buy more like 3 -5 VG or less T206s, a 48 Bowman some random junk and a few packs. Which only makes it worse. )

[MVSNYC]

Just offering my 2 cents...I remember a wise man, Scott Levy (Hi Scott), once saying regarding cards, "Buy the best cards, in the best condition, from the best sets, of the best players, that you can afford."

...I find the same philosophy to apply to Memorabilia also. IF we're talking about investing in the category...Look for the best tickets, best photos, best bats, best uniforms, best autographs, of the best players, that you can afford (and also focus on particular seasons, moments, events, milestones). On top of that, I recommend collecting players that you like and will enjoy collecting.

Years ago, I focused on collecting Derek Jeter items. I acquired a few special pieces, including a Game Used/Signed Rookie Bat, and a Game Worn (Home Pinstripe) Full Uniform from his final season. Both items have been loaned to the Yankees for exhibit in their Museum. Regarding "Memorabilia as an investment", they both have appreciated nicely.

[lumberjack]

I started this thread and wanted to jump in for a moment.

Two years ago, Investropedia commented on stamps as an investment. In 1988, there were nearly 58 thousand members of the American Philatelist Society (hope I spelled that correctly). That number had dropped by more than half when the article was written. Boomers made up a disproportionate number of collectors and supply became greater than demand.

Outside events do shape trends. Covid brought a temporary resurgence in stamps. Hey, people were stuck at home....

What I remember about card collecting in the '70s is that there were stamp sellers who left that business behind and became very savvy sports memorabilia dealers.

Does this have anything to do with us? Like Mark Twain (supposedly) said:
History may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.