I believe it started in 1979. A couple of guys bought some high-end 52 Topps Mantles at the National, and things haven't been the same. Bob Horner, Willie Wilson, and a bit later Carney Lansford were the big current rookies, but it was Rice and Lynn that were in the biggest demand.
Then in 1981 it was Valenzuela, Raines, and Charbouneau. I bought a couple of 73 Schmidt for $5 each and a 65 Carlton for $16.
In 1982 Ripken was hot, and Gretzky rookies were up to $12! I traded my Schmidts for $100 each and the Carlton for $150 (picked up 1957-1960 Aarons, Mays, B Robinson, etc.). The market had really taken off
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