Under The Radar Basketball Cards (investment)

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Basketball memorabilia has been on an incredible run, and rightly so, given the amazing players in the game today! But are there any investment opportunities left? Where is the "smart money" going? I submit to the board that there are still some pockets of opportunity. May I mention one for your review please?

Is ultra-modern the place to spend? No, it's far too speculative, with more busts than stars, by far. How about early vintage (48B, 57T, 61F)? Likely not, as its still experiencing a "boom period" and priced out right now. What about the standard set for the hobby- 1986 Fleer Basketball? Perhaps in the mid-high graded card sector (7/8), but generally most feel it will be tough to sustain current prices for the long haul.

Here's a small set, really a subset, worthy of consideration: 1987-88 Fleer Stickers! Hear me out... consider these reasons:

1-Nine of the 11 cards portray in-game shots of renown Hall of Famers like Bird, Magic, Jordan, Hakeem, Barkley, etc, while in their prime!
2-High grade cards are very difficult to come by. A graded 9 set would be very elusive and a gem mint 10 set extremely difficult to obtain, because of the small population.
3-The cards are condition sensitive, the preponderance being diamond cut with well known left-to-right centering problems.
4-There are many raw copies of this 35 yr old set available for sale, however, the population has diminished some because many collectors used these colorful stickers as intended and peeled and stuck them to something!
5-The most important card, the second year Michael Jordan sticker, portrays him with hair and in his early Bulls uniform! An amazing card that can be purchased graded 7 for around $200!
6-The entire set is a comparative bargain when looking at other cards from the mid-1980's, an era when basketball spread internationally and the players became celebrities.

I recommend putting together a set in Ex-Mint 6 or higher condition. An exmt set would be quite affordable, a higher grade set viewed as more of an investment. Below are some examples.

Anyone else agree/disagree? Other values out there?

[Peter_Spaeth]

I like them but not seeing the "investment" angle. Rare early vintage cards, or rookie cards, might have investment potential. A common set of stickers? Not IMO.

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I like them but not seeing the "investment" angle. Rare early vintage cards, or rookie cards, might have investment potential. A common set of stickers? Not IMO.

Thanks for the reply Peter. That’s really the point: to find reasonably priced cards that are off the radar of some, i.e. not big rookies or vintage stars, both of which are priced out. Looking for items that are obtainable with room to grow.

[Exhibitman]

I think early cards and memorabilia of superstars from that long gap between actual card sets is a good buy right now. I've been salting away unusual regional cards, team issue cards, and related items for years. Thing is, they are so hard to find that you cannot amass a really large group. Also what makes them fun. This is a 1960 Boston TI:



Photos are a good area too, though they have been on fire lately. I just consigned some Russell-Chamberlain early photos that i've been holding for years. This one I hung on to, it is a favorite. 1961:

[Copa7]

These old photos are great. I just acquired some 1920's cabinet cards of early pro and amateur basketball teams.
Checked with National Basketball Hall of Fame and they didn't even have these pioneer Hall of Fame players.

[Exhibitman]

I've also started looking at schedules and team issued mailers, like these 1950s Knicks schedule cards:

1951:




1952:

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I think early cards and memorabilia of superstars from that long gap between actual card sets is a good buy right now. I've been salting away unusual regional cards, team issue cards, and related items for years. Thing is, they are so hard to find that you cannot amass a really large group. Also what makes them fun. This is a 1960 Boston TI:



Photos are a good area too, though they have been on fire lately. I just consigned some Russell-Chamberlain early photos that i've been holding for years. This one I hung on to, it is a favorite. 1961:

Adam, great points: regional issues and early photo's seem like an opportunity as some are still fairly priced. Thanks for sharing, love that Russell! Wasn't that used on the 1968 Topps Test Series? ... actually just checked, no this is a different image... wow its fantastic though!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Dead-Ball-Hitter

Thanks for the reply Peter. That’s really the point: to find reasonably priced cards that are off the radar of some, i.e. not big rookies or vintage stars, both of which are priced out. Looking for items that are obtainable with room to grow.

I understand the point; mine is that IMO a common set of stickers with no rookies does not have a lot of room to grow. But who knows.

[shagrotn77]

I remember those stickers being brutal right out of the pack. Very poor cuts.

[chalupacollects]

Maybe higher grade examples of mid career stars and HOFers....

[Dandor]

Originally Posted by Dead-Ball-Hitter

Thanks for the reply Peter. That’s really the point: to find reasonably priced cards that are off the radar of some, i.e. not big rookies or vintage stars, both of which are priced out. Looking for items that are obtainable with room to grow.

For me these stickers are blah and I don't think they have any growth potential. I actually think some of the HOF rookies are much better buys from the 1969 Topps set until the 1981 Topps set. I also hate modern cards, but some of the insert sets from 2013 to 2016 Panini are really rare and undervalued as well. Here are some suggestions on cards that could be off the radar.

1. HOF on card autos - I know some players sign a lot, but a lot don't. Some of the current Panini on card autos are gorgeous!
2. 1996 Topps 50th Anniversary - Rarer than Topps Chrome and priced much lower. Plus these cards won't hulk. You can get HOF rookies like Allen, Kobe, Iverson, Nash for really decent prices.
3. I am starting to put together some 1990's insert sets and refractors for HOF players. I am putting together the 1992 Beam Team set right now. A lot of junk wax collectors are still coming into the hobby and these are the cards of their past.

At this point the market is what it is and finding undervalued cards is pretty much impossible. Everything has been pumped at one point.

[Jewish-collector]

A good investment will be autographs of the really big names before they're gone, because as my friend once said about deceased players, "He doesn't sign any longer"

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Originally Posted by Dandor

For me these stickers are blah and I don't think they have any growth potential. I actually think some of the HOF rookies are much better buys from the 1969 Topps set until the 1981 Topps set. I also hate modern cards, but some of the insert sets from 2013 to 2016 Panini are really rare and undervalued as well. Here are some suggestions on cards that could be off the radar.
[LIST=1][*]HOF on card autos - I know some players sign a lot, but a lot don't. Some of the current Panini on card autos are gorgeous![*]1996 Topps 50th Anniversary - Rarer than Topps Chrome and priced much lower. Plus these cards won't hulk. You can get HOF rookies like Allen, Kobe, Iverson, Nash for really decent prices.

I also think the 1996-97 cards have room to grow: 4 modern players in the Top75 of all time!