Topps Venezuelans

[reddog4063]

Never really understood the facination with venies. Is it just rarity? Maybe some people grew up there and remember these fondly? Seems pretty esoteric otherwise.

[Cliff Bowman]

Originally Posted by reddog4063

Never really understood the facination with venies. Is it just rarity? Maybe some people grew up there and remember these fondly? Seems pretty esoteric otherwise.

Thrill of the hunt, it's the next phase for a player collector or a team collector who has finished with all of the easily found Topps cards and semi easily found OPC cards. Had to pay a small fortune for this little booger, might not see another one in ten years.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by reddog4063

Never really understood the facination with venies. Is it just rarity? Maybe some people grew up there and remember these fondly? Seems pretty esoteric otherwise.

For me it's a couple of factors. First, they are beautiful cards by my standards. They primarily all look well loved and are kind of mini works of art as a result. Second, it's cool to me that Topps would release these in the 50s and 60s in a far away country. Some boy or girl would treasure it for years. And then it would somehow make its way to me--typically directly thorough Venezuela. If you want one of these, you generally have a limited number of people you can get them from. Third, these cards actually matter. You've picked up a 1960 Mantle from Topps. Not impressive and not something I can't do by turning to eBay and spending a $100. Oh, it has great centering. Fantastic. Here's a $130 for it. Well, if you want a 1960 Venezuelan Mantle you are going to have to message Larry from Florida and get on his radar. Your also going to have to try Mark from Brooklyn and send a note to Kelly. Maybe one of them gets one in and messages you. Maybe a random, one off seller posts one on eBay and you are able to hit buyitnow before one of the numerous other people that need it get it. Well, you now have a card that not every can get. That's pretty cool. Fourth, they are fantastic conversation pieces and a number of people--including my local card shop when I lived in NY--were completely unaware the issue even exists. Finally, no player collection is complete without them.

Collect what you love. For me, my favorite cards are my Venezuelans.

[DBesse27]

It's the scarcity. Like others have said, you're not a serious player collector or team collector if you're not hunting for these.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by DBesse27

It's the scarcity. Like others have said, you're not a serious player collector or team collector if you're not hunting for these.

Inaccurate. I'm a serious player collector and have found all of them

[reddog4063]

Thanks guys for sharing info on why you love the Venezuelans. Some of you are really passionate. I looked on the bay and you are right...some cards only 1 or 2 for sale on the whole site and high grade looks to be super scarce.

[hcv123]

I am a Clemente collector.

PSA has graded 2,666 copies of his 1967 card. There are 66 unqualified PSA 9's and 2 PSA 10's.
For Clemente's 67 Venezuelan card (arguably one of the toughest in all of collecting Venezuelan's!) PSA has graded 8 copies - Top of the pop's - 2 PSA 5's, following a PSA 3, 4 PSA- 1's and 1 Authentic. rarer than a T206 Wagner and just a bear of a card to find!
Even his most "common" 1966 Venezuelan - Topps - 2,156. graded copies, Venezuelan - 56 graded copies.
I was introduced to the Venezuelan cards when I met John R at the Willow Grove show. I was very skeptical about their authenticity when I first saw them. I bought a few cheap ones. Learned more about them. Bought a few more. Wish I knew then what I know now - He had almost every major star card - I think the priciest among them was a Ryan rookie probably a PSA 3-4 at $1,000.

[TheNightmanCometh]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I am a Clemente collector.

PSA has graded 2,666 copies of his 1967 card. There are 66 unqualified PSA 9's and 2 PSA 10's.
For Clemente's 67 Venezuelan card (arguably one of the toughest in all of collecting Venezuelan's!) PSA has graded 8 copies - Top of the pop's - 2 PSA 5's, following a PSA 3, 4 PSA- 1's and 1 Authentic. rarer than a T206 Wagner and just a bear of a card to find!
Even his most "common" 1966 Venezuelan - Topps - 2,156. graded copies, Venezuelan - 56 graded copies.
I was introduced to the Venezuelan cards when I met John R at the Willow Grove show. I was very skeptical about their authenticity when I first saw them. I bought a few cheap ones. Learned more about them. Bought a few more. Wish I knew then what I know now - He had almost every major star card - I think the priciest among them was a Ryan rookie probably a PSA 3-4 at $1,000.

Wow, great story! Thanks for sharing

[TheNightmanCometh]

Originally Posted by reddog4063

Never really understood the facination with venies. Is it just rarity? Maybe some people grew up there and remember these fondly? Seems pretty esoteric otherwise.

Well, I found out about them through this thread. I have this goal of collecting every Topps Braves base card, so these and OPCs seemed like a natural thing to collect. As I started collecting VZs, my appreciation for them grew and now I feel very lucky that I was able to collect them all. VZs are a shining example of the love for baseball around the world, particularly in Central America and the Caribbean. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised they aren't more popular.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by TheNightmanCometh

Well, I found out about them through this thread. I have this goal of collecting every Topps Braves base card, so these and OPCs seemed like a natural thing to collect. As I started collecting VZs, my appreciation for them grew and now I feel very lucky that I was able to collect them all. VZs are a shining example of the love for baseball around the world, particularly in Central America and the Caribbean. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised they aren't more popular.

I'm glad they are not more popular, the prices are already high enough for nice cards.

[DBesse27]

Agreed!