Hypothetical ?
 

Was thinking this morning, would I trade my entire collection for 1 amazing off the chart card. Putting aside real world valuations and all the sweat equity I put into my collection, would I trade the whole kit and kaboodle (whatever that means) for a Shoeless Joe Cracker Jack PSA 8 or 9? Or a Jackie rookie Leaf card PSA 10? Grab the holy grail and lose my entire collection? Could you ever envision such a move?

Part of my collection...never all of my collection
 

There are parts of my collection that I would never part with, however, I would consider trading 70% of my collection if I could obtain my "holy grail."

Patrick

Interesting question.
For me, I have perhaps four holy grail cards, all of which I wanted since I was a teenager - Aaron rookie, 1933 Ruth #181, 1953 Paige, and 1952 Topps Jackie.
Because I'm not that condition sensitive I've been able to get examples that I think look great in my display and I'm very happy with ... grades 5, 2.5, 4.5, and 4. Thus, under the premise of your post perhaps I don't really have any holy grail cards at all.
Hypothetically, if I didn't have these cards and I had to trade all my others for them (assuming value was comparable) I think I'd consider it but likely wouldn't do it as I'd prefer to have a display of 100-200 cards rather than one or a small handful.

Everything is for sale, for the right price.

My first answer was no, but as I think about it more; it's probably closer to maybe. The trade, in essence, would be a redirection of my collection. Whatever that holy grail card is, it would become the obvious center piece to my new direction in collecting.

If I had to trade my collection for one amazing card an couldnt build around it - no way.

Edited to add: if the Holy Grail card was within my current collecting goals then again: no way. There are way too many pieces that are too hard to come by to start over with only one card at the top.

I would trade it all for a Ruth rookie. Otherwise, no way.

I'm right there with Quigley. Condition isn't an overriding factor for me. For example, I have a '53 Paige SGC 10. It's a beautiful card and as a collector one I'm glad to say I own. Eventually I would love to buy one of the '33 Goudey Ruth's....in PSA A-2 range. Will be extremely happy with that.

I like this question, as I've thought about it a couple times. Ultimately, my answer would be no because of three reasons:
1) I like the variety. I think it would be less fulfilling to just look at one card vs. a variety of different players from different eras.
2) With prices the way they are right now, I could probably only trade my run of centered, mid-grade T206 Cobbs and Goudey Ruth's for a slightly higher grade, uncentered Rose Rookie. I don't love the exchange rate right now. ;)
3) I learned on this site that you should only pursue an investment card if you're prepared to buy 50 of them to protect the prices, so that means I'd have to trade everything for a ton of Carlton Fisk Rookie PSA 7s.

If the opportunity presented itself and it was a card I had always wanted but never thought possible, like the Ruth RC or a high grade Mantle I would do it. Most of the other cards in my collection could be replaced eventually if I chose to do so. But I would never have the chance to own that amazing holy grail card again.

Absolutely

I've thought about it a few times. Not that I have an extensive collection but I've got a few really nice pieces.

Would trade all for a mid-high grade 48 leaf satchel Paige (my Grail)

My entire T206 collection and related cards? For a T206 Wagner? Yes.
For a Doyle, Nat'l? Probably not.

NEVER
Haven't you all been told?
Multiple pieces of old cardboard are better than one piece of old cardboard.
I thought you knew? 😏

Nahh. I have several aspects to my collection. I have a modern collection, a Marshall collection and a Prewar collection. I also have Topps Set run. I could and in fact am in the process of thinning the herd, but there's probably too much to find one card that was an adequate replacement.

+1. I'm a collector who is satisfied with collecting quantity over quality. If I were to convert my collection into a holy grail card, IMO I'd pretty much be an investor. And, my investing preference is not baseball cards.
Val

eVERYONE
 

KNOWS my answer..........


CHASING WAGNER:D;)

Johnny, I assume you mean a "scrap" Wagner! :D

After all the trouble and expense to build your collection, then to turn around and tear it down, with more expense, I would imagine by the time you had sold everything off, you'd be hurting pretty bad. You might find one card that would, in your estimation, do it for you. Then you buy it, get it, hold it in your hands, and 30 minutes later, you're bawling your eyes out, wailing "I want my old card collection back!!!!!!!"

A picture is worth a thousand words, the saying goes. I once sold off a bunch (100s) of nice, but deep down meaningless cards, and bought a breathtaking, brutally tough Mickey Mantle regional. In that instance, the experience and acqusition of an otherwise unattainable Mantle was worth every card I parted with, and all the trouble and expense to raise the funds to buy it.

So, on this very rare occasion, one picture card was worth "a thousand" lesser picture cards.

Back to your question, sell all to gain but one banzai card?

The answer is NO---NEVER! ----Brian Powell