Who will be the buyer of our vintage cards in 20 years?

[collectbaseball]

I've enjoyed reading this discussion -- it's certainly an interesting question, and while baseball card collecting has certainly seen a decline in popularity recently, I think it'll always be around. Sure, childhood pastimes are changing and kids are now occupied with video games and Disney indoctrination, but a drive through springtime suburbia will reveal plenty of wiffleball games. My sister babysits the kid across the street from us (he's six years old, I think) and whenever she's there he likes to show her his most recent baseball card acquisitions and flip through his binder. The hobby might be a bit unhealthy, but I don't think it's dying.

I do think that the vintage baseball cards collected by most of the people on this forum are a whole different ballgame than modern cards (pun intended). The people willing to spend thousands on old cardboard is incredibly small to begin with, and that small group might become smaller -- but it only takes two people with money to drive the price of something up into the stratosphere in any given auction. I'm only 20, so I certainly plan to be buying things twenty, thirty, forty years from now, and I'm sure there will be others like me.

Most importantly, there will always be a market for things of aesthetic value and historical relevance, and vintage baseball cards represent both of those things. With any luck, though, the market will collapse and I'll be able to snag a PSA 7 Cobb Bat Off for a couple hundred bucks

[Fetamore]

Barry,
I agree with you. That T206 common with creases will probably not increase in value over time accept for inflation. I venture a guess that 50% of the increase in such cards over the last 30 years was do to inflation. The other 50% was appreciation from increased demand. I must tell you though, one of the things I have gotten from reading this board is an appreciation for these lesser conditioned cards. There is so much to be learned from them and you guys have studied them well. I'm embarrassed to admit that years ago I would throw lesser conditioned cards away, including T and E cards with multiple creases, tares and the like.

Dan,
My advice to you is when to see a card that you really want, you think it's priced fairly, and you can afford it, buy it. Your young enough and will collect long enough to realize a nice increase in your collections value.

I have so many stories over the years of cards that I regret not buying.

[bbeck]

Barry- he was a huge giants fan. Before he passed away he bought Carl Hubbell's 200th win trophy presented by Horace Stoneham and the N.Y. Giants, I have it now. When I had Bobby Thomson in the store as a guest he was in his glory. Barry Halper came that day with Bobby Thomson's high school yearbook for him to sign.

[mark evans]

Originally Posted by bbeck

Barry- he was a huge giants fan. Before he passed away he bought Carl Hubbell's 200th win trophy presented by Horace Stoneham and the N.Y. Giants, I have it now. When I had Bobby Thomson in the store as a guest he was in his glory. Barry Halper came that day with Bobby Thomson's high school yearbook for him to sign.

Great story.

And a terrific thread. Hope to see all in Baltimore.

Mark

[mdschulze]

There is still money being made in the sports card industry, otherwise Topp's and Upper Deck would either file bankruptcy or request a government bailout.

As for the demographics of current baseball card purchasers.... I have no clue! My guess is that you'll see more "etopps" type cards in the future and the continuation of #'d cards to maintain the interest level amongst collectors. As long as there is a slim chance of pulling a 1/1 card, I think people will continue to buy the new packs (like lottery scratch tickets).

Pre war cards will always be collected by future generations, if for nothing more than the history or age of the cards. It's hard to beat holding a 100+ year old card in your hand and wonder where it's been and how many hands it passed through to now be in your possession.