If you had....

[dstraate]

I don't know that I'd like my retirement to hinge on one item that I would have to pay insurance on. I realize that all investments have management fees, but dang!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by dstraate

I don't know that I'd like my retirement to hinge on one item that I would have to pay insurance on. I realize that all investments have management fees, but dang!

How about one chunk of gold?

[barrysloate]

Since it's difficult to know exactly which cards will appreciate the most in the future, why not simply build a nice collection, one that you will enjoy. Try to stress quality and buy good looking cards in the best grade you can afford. Focus on different sets and eras (some 19th century, tobacco, candy, gum); try to get Hall of Famers, or complete sets if you prefer; and probably not too much should be invested in postwar cards, since those are baby boomer driven. If you want to collect one postwar player, try Jackie Robinson, since he has transcended baseball and has become an important figure in American history.

In general, quality collections that are built and kept over a long period of time usually do increase in value. Whether they will outperform stocks, bonds, or precious metals I haven't a clue, but you should at least enjoy the project as you go along.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Since it's difficult to know exactly which cards will appreciate the most in the future, why not simply build a nice collection, one that you will enjoy. Try to stress quality and buy good looking cards in the best grade you can afford. Focus on different sets and eras (some 19th century, tobacco, candy, gum).

Really, when investment is your only consideration? You don't feel that there is more likelihood that the cards mentioned in the original post (especially the Plank and Lajoie) will appreciate more than some other more diversified collection that you put together?

I'm kind of surprised at this - it might be an interesting discussion topic to give people $100K in funny money and ask them to put together an investment 'collection', grades to be chosen as well, then let people vote on what they think the best investment choice was.

[barrysloate]

Scott- I was trying to find a balance between solely investing and the process of building a collection. For most collectors buying a Plank and/or Lajoie is either out of reach, or if affordable may be the only thing they can buy. If you want to buy just one card, put it in the safe deposit box, and move on I suppose that will work. But to buy a Plank and/or Lajoie as part of an active collection, one would need to have at least 100K or more to invest. How many on this board can afford to do this? Not too many. But anyone with even a modest budget can start building a collection.

It's a matter of philosphy. Do you want to put just the one card away, or do you want to actively build the portfolio over time? Either one will work.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Scott- I was trying to find a balance between solely investing and the process of building a collection. For most collectors buying a Plank and/or Lajoie is either out of reach, or if affordable may be the only thing they can buy. If you want to buy just one card, put it in the safe deposit box, and move on I suppose that will work. But to buy a Plank and/or Lajoie as part of an active collection, one would need to have at least 100K or more to invest. How many on this board can afford to do this? Not too many. But anyone with even a modest budget can start building a collection.

It's a matter of philosphy. Do you want to put just the one card away, or do you want to actively build the portfolio over time? Either one will work.

I completely agree with you. What you suggest is exactly what all of us are doing. You can't really be a 'collector' if you only have one or two cards.

I thought you were responding to the original post and suggesting something altogether different for him to do with the amount of money he mentioned. If you drop his original constraints of card options, and also assume he has far less money, then that puts things back at square one, and I agree that no collector (by definition) will be putting all he has into one or two cards. Investing is something altogether different.

[Doug]

I'd probably go with the few high grade HOFers. If you get popular cards they should stay in demand and if you get high end cards for the grade you might get a premium when you go to sell them.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Really, when investment is your only consideration? You don't feel that there is more likelihood that the cards mentioned in the original post (especially the Plank and Lajoie) will appreciate more than some other more diversified collection that you put together?

I'm kind of surprised at this - it might be an interesting discussion topic to give people $100K in funny money and ask them to put together an investment 'collection', grades to be chosen as well, then let people vote on what they think the best investment choice was.

Or better yet, look at the values of those "funny money" investment collections one year later to see who comes out on top.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

Or better yet, look at the values of those "funny money" investment collections one year later to see who comes out on top.

Just prior to 911, I considered quitting my job, cashing out my 401K, and investing it all in expensive auction lots (like some of the 1800s small sets Mastro used to have, t206 HOFer lots, etc), breaking up and re-selling, saving some as investments. I didn't do it. I should have.