Investment potential- which cards will do best?

[glchen]

I would think in general, mid to high grade key cards of big name prewar HOFers should do well. (e.g., Ruth, Wagner, Gehrig, Mathewson, Cobb, Wojo, Young)

BTW if I had 200K to blow on cards, I'd probably try to get a Baltimore News Ruth in lower grade condition if one were still available for that amount.

[rainier2004]

200k?

Id buy 200,000 1990 score sets, another 100,000 1989 topps set and use the other 199k to buy the most beautiful e107 matty and wagner i could and call it a day....the shipping on the sets would be brutal though.

[egbeachley]

These kinds of questions are usually answered with a single great card like a quality T206 Plank and a few spectacular HOF'ers. And maybe you buy a handful for the $200K and 10 years later they go up to $300K. But that doesn't mean the great cards are the best investments since you could purchase 1,000 good T206 commons for $20 each that may go up to $40 each in 10 years.

Yes, it takes more time to find and sell in quantity. But you may sell at a time when there are NOT 2 bidders who really want the quality cards and you take a loss. This doesn't usually happen with commons.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

200k?

Id buy 200,000 1990 score sets, another 100,000 1989 topps set and use the other 199k to buy the most beautiful e107 matty and wagner i could and call it a day....the shipping on the sets would be brutal though.

Steven, I had a friend who has a small room in his house just for storing 'investment' lots. He has '87 Topps wax boxes stacked to the ceiling. Anyone remember the Greenwell/Will Clark rookie rage?

I have my thoughts about this, but I'm currently cornering a couple of markets, so can't say.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Jeremy Lin RCs.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Jeremy Lin RCs.

Easily the best short term investment over the last month. Shiny ones are going for over $20k!

[FrankWakefield]

2012 Topps cases, dig out the Schumacker squirrels and sell those immediately, then....

invest in something other than ballcards. Collect 'em. Invest in a home, an education, mutual funds, individual stocks, bonds. If you're in your early 30's or younger, buy 5 to 10 acres out and away from urban sprawl, plant hardwood saplings, tend to them for the first few years, then wait 30 years or so, then harvest the lumber. That's a long term investment that would put a couple of kids through college, with a car each on the front end and again as they graduate. A fellow shouldn't invest in a hobby, the attachment and sentiment screws up the financial reality of it.

[Bicem]

Cards that I felt were under-valued or should be worth more.

[Oklahawg]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

2012 Topps cases, dig out the Schumacker squirrels and sell those immediately, then....

invest in something other than ballcards. Collect 'em. Invest in a home, an education, mutual funds, individual stocks, bonds. If you're in your early 30's or younger, buy 5 to 10 acres out and away from urban sprawl, plant hardwood saplings, tend to them for the first few years, then wait 30 years or so, then harvest the lumber. That's a long term investment that would put a couple of kids through college, with a car each on the front end and again as they graduate. A fellow shouldn't invest in a hobby, the attachment and sentiment screws up the financial reality of it.

Some of the best advice I've ever read.

A decade ago (roughly) I thought I'd buy some dirt cheap PSA cards from the mid-50s, but let the 9's and 10's alone (too pricey). The turnaround last summer was less than spectacular. For every card I made money on, I had 3-4 that didn't generate a profit, and 1-2 that went unsold or for dimes on my dollar.

However, instead of buying 100 cards if I had purchased 2-3 I might have sold at the time I bought a Walter Johnson B18 Blanket, mid-grade, for $75 - no one else was bidding! I was the first and only bid. Got a steal in my book. I learned then - I cannot guarantee that a second bidder will drive up the price on a valuable product.

[William Todd]

Frank is spot on. Invest in investments for future income and growth. The best cards will be in demand but at a price that can vary greatly. Look at coins. I collected for 25 years and sold many graded cards in 2009 as I thought prices were kind of high. Pre War quality will probably hold demand the best, but demographics of the population should be considered. The baby boomers, a large buying population are retiring and need income. Holding your collection doesnt pay any income. I recently was lucky to have a client show me an original family T206 collection that was collected by her uncle. These types of original cards will gain in value as many graded/trimmed/altered cards see more scrutiny... Just my opinion. And I still
hold many cards and love T207's and T206's.

[g_vezina_c55]

t206 plank or wagner !