Paper Policeman, Help!

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Posted By: Hankron

What's the difference between a T206 Ty Cobb and a T206 common? About $1,000.

Rod, I understand your point. I deal primarily with photographs and ephemera, and not with trading cards-- so I am aware of the conceits of trading card collectors (all other qualities even, a baseball card will always be valued much higher than a booklet). I am also aware of the value (non finacial) of non-card items. I own photographs that I think are the cat's meow, that wouldn't sell for $7 each on eBay. I am well aware of areas that I think are 'undervalued' (common collector's euphamism for, 'Doesn't sell for as high as I want.')-- but, as we all know, sometimes the best things in life are free.

While it is fine for an individual to say a scrap of paper is just as nice as a early baseball card, he can't pretend that they are of the same value. Fair or unfair, just or unjust, the value is set by the informed (I repeat: informed, not deceived) buying public. Even within trading cards or scraps of paper or brouchures, there will be a wide variation in value. Even within a single set, 1963 Topps or 1990 Donruss, there is an incredible variation in prices.

Rod, I don't even beleive even you buy your own arguemts. I am certain that you don't pay the same exact price for trading cards or other paper/cardboard items. I would be suprised if you would pay the same amount for a Ty Cobb picture cut out of a magazine and a T206 Ty Cobb Portrait with Red Back. I would be surpised if you would pay the same amount 1963 Topps Mickey Mantle as you would for a 63 Topps Sal Maglie. You may argue, as you have here, that there's no difference technically in the items, but I highly doubt that you're forking out $500 for Sal Maglie cards. If you are are, please send me copies of your receipts and I will appologize on this board (then offer you so Sal Maglies I have).

If your argument is that collecting is partially irrational-- you are 100% correct. Collecting is a hobby is a game is supposed to be fun. It's not supposed to be doing the taxes or math homework. It's about having fun and collecting what you like and want to hang on your wall. It's about having favorite teams and players and like card with blue backgrounds instead of green because blue is your favorite color. You put a painting up on your wall becaues it look nice, not because of a mathamatical equation. If collecting was entirely rational, it would be no fun and no one would do it.

So, in short, if you yourself place wildly different prices on different pieces of cardboard, I don't understandy why you complaining about others placing placing different values of different pieces of cardboard.

"Duty is what one applies to others, not oneself."
-- Oscar Wilde