Poll: Would You Make This Trade For a Ruth RC?
 

Facing a tough decision. Opinions from fellow collectors appreciated.

You give up:

1. 1932 US Caramel Ruth PSA 4
2. 1933 Goudey Gehrig PSA 3.5
3. 1941 PlayBall DiMaggio PSA 6
4. 1955 Topps Koufax PSA 8
5. 1959 Topps B.Gibson PSA 8
6. 1966 Topps Palmer PSA 8
7. 1968 Topps Bench PSA 9
8. 1968 Topps Seaver PSA 9
9. 1969 Topps R.Jackson PSA 8
10. 1974 Topps Winfield PSA 9
11. 1974 Topps Schmidt PSA 9
12. 1975 Topps Mini Ryan PSA 9
13. 1975 Topps Mini Schmidt PSA 9
14. 1975 Topps Winfield PSA 9
15. 1975 Topps Aaron PSA 9
16. 1976 Topps Brett PSA 8
17. 1977 Topps Brett PSA 9
18. 1978 Topps Brett PSA 9
19. 1979 Topps Molitor PSA 9
20. 1981 Topps Henderson PSA 10
21. 1982 Topps Henderson PSA 10
22. 1984 Star Michael Jordan BGS 8.5
23. 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan BGS 9.5 all 9.5 subs with Pristine 10 centering/PSA 10 (have taken it down before; it will cross)
24. 1981 Topps Joe Montana PSA 9
25. 1986 Topps Steve Young PSA 9
26. 1990 Topps Frank Thomas NNOF PSA 8
27. 1975 Topps Mini Yount PSA 10


You get:
1916 M101-5 Babe Ruth - 1 Poor

*I know on the surface it seems lopsided, but part of me feels like I can come across all those others again, whereas not so much the Ruth.

*On the other hand, perhaps such a variety of cards will appreciate better over time than one expensive card that has already seen a massive surge in price; thus fewer could be traded at a later date for the same Ruth.

What is the total value of your cards?

The Ruth in a 1 is 6500$....is it a graded card and if so is it a nice card for the grade?

In my opinion I would NOT/NEVER do it....sell a few of your cards like the Jordan cards and you will be able to buy one and keep most of your collection. The Ruth is not that hard to find if you have the money a dealer can find one for you I know I have asked only 1 dealer and he said yes I can get you 1 just let me know when you are ready to buy 1....so they are available for sure!!!

Post #3

No way in hell would I make that trade. Just the Koufax, Gibson and Jordan rookies alone should net you around $15,000 (Assuming the Jordan rookie is a PSA 10). Another one will come along. If you REALLY have to have one, sell all your cards outright, pocket the money, and wait for the next one to come along, through REA, Goodwin or wherever it will show up.

Hi Zone,

The Ruth in a 1 is around $30,000.

MattyC

No way in hell it is 30 000$ I have been offered a 2 for about 10 000$.....the guy is LYING to you!!! He KNOWS you are been pulled in to a bad deal....geez get yourself a super nice 52 Topps Mantle buy selling your cards.

You could get a much nicer one than one graded a 1 if you sell all your cards probably a 52 Topps Mantle as well in a lower grade.

Post # 4

Zone,

There's an SGC 10 on REA right now at about 30K with the vig.

I'd make that trade in a heartbeat if it's a very presentable 1-you can always get those other cards-maybe not graded as high but who cares? You'd have a Babe Ruth rookie!

VCP on the Babe Ruth in a '1' shows that it sold in REA in 2011 for $15,000. Just the Jordan alone in a PSA 10 is around $10,000. Throw in the Koufax and you are at $13,000. There is no way in hell I would make that trade!

MattyC

Believe me I have been offered one in a 2 for around 10 000$ I can give you the dealers name in a private message. DO NOT DO IT trust me you are been a sucker for this guy!!! BIG TIME!!! I know the words Ruth rookie make everyone want to dance...but do not be a fool!!!

You have some great cards in very high grades....you will find buyers for them.

Post # 5

True, Bobby. But perhaps the 2011 sale is dated? What are your thoughts regarding the more recent sales of the SGC 10 example; it sold twice last year for 44k and I believe the subsequent sale was 39k.

No way. Values aside, that's too much awesome stuff to give up.

Call the guy I sent you his # in a private message he is very trust worthy!!! He will find you one at a much better price. I bet you he can also get you top dollar for your cards as well .

Post # 6

Matt, make the trade-you'll kick yourself if you don't. That Ruth card just keeps gaining value, whereas you may not do as well selling off your cards individually.

M1014/5 Ruths come around a little more often than you might think. But that being said, highly desirable cards like the Ruth can be very unpredictable when they do come to market. Just because one sold last year in REA for $15k has little to no reflection on what the next PSA 1 Ruth will fetch when it comes to auction IMO, except that previous result show this card has been exploding in value.

A PSA 5 sold in 2010 for 41k. Another one sold in 2012 for 89k
A PSA 4 sold in 2010 for 22k. Then sold in 20111 for 44k and the another one sold in 2012 for 60k.

Here's the VCP on the cards you are giving up:

1. 1932 US Caramel Ruth PSA 4 $2,500
2. 1933 Goudey Gehrig PSA 3.5 $1,200
3. 1941 PlayBall DiMaggio PSA 6 $2,500
4. 1955 Topps Koufax PSA 8 $2,750
5. 1959 Topps B.Gibson PSA 8 $900
6. 1966 Topps Palmer PSA 8 $200
7. 1968 Topps Bench PSA 9 $1,000
8. 1968 Topps Seaver PSA 9 $500
9. 1969 Topps R.Jackson PSA 8 $700
10. 1974 Topps Winfield PSA 9 $300
11. 1974 Topps Schmidt PSA 9 $250
12. 1975 Topps Mini Ryan PSA 9 $1,250
13. 1975 Topps Mini Schmidt PSA 9 $400
14. 1975 Topps Winfield PSA 9 $150
15. 1975 Topps Aaron PSA 9 $700
16. 1976 Topps Brett PSA 8 $200
17. 1977 Topps Brett PSA 9 $100
18. 1978 Topps Brett PSA 9 $100
19. 1979 Topps Molitor PSA 9 $100
20. 1981 Topps Henderson PSA 10 $350
21. 1982 Topps Henderson PSA 10 $100
22. 1984 Star Michael Jordan BGS 8.5 ??
23. 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan BGS 9.5/PSA 10 $4,000
24. 1981 Topps Joe Montana PSA 9 $400
25. 1986 Topps Steve Young PSA 9 $250
26. 1990 Topps Frank Thomas NNOF PSA 8 $1,500
27. 1975 Topps Mini Yount PSA 10 $4,000

Roughly $25,000-$28,000

You get:
1916 M101-5 Babe Ruth - 1 Poor

The last one to sell went for $15,000..

It's up to you, but personally, I would pass.

Are you going to resell or keep?

Not just that owning 1 single card is BORING you will see (unless it is a T206 Wagner or a 1914 Baltimore news Ruth or a super nice 52 Topps Mantle that is).

All I can say wish I had a Ruth graded a 1 right now to trade you....this is how the guy feels he knows he is getting a better deal that is THE ONLY reason he is ready to do a deal.

Post # 7

Do not make that trade! Consign the prewar cards to B&L/Goodwin/Sterling/LOTG/etc., and the postwar and modern to Probstein/JustCollect/etc. Then after you dive in and swim around in cash Scrooge McDuck style, find a nice Ruth rookie at auction.

Cash talks big time sell your cards and you will see when you show a guy 15k in 100$ bills he will give you a graded 1 with a smile....but at least you will be smiling to!!!!

Post # 8

Oh, I would keep it, until it disintegrated while held in grip of my skeletal, long-dead hands.

But seriously, yes, keeping for the long haul. I am first and foremost a passionate private collector, and very rarely a seller. I've been slowly moving away from condition rarities into more genuine rarities across all grades, while still focusing on my favorite HOFers.

I've got the Jordan rookie in a PSA 10 at $9,000-$10,000.

I hear you loud and clear on that, and that is actually how I acquired much of my collection. May very well explore those waters now with this card I am seeking, as opposed to letting the recent sales of the SGC example at Legendary and Memory Lane (at least I believe it was there off-hand without consulting VCP) set the bar.

Sell
 

Sell a good group of them and just buy one out. If you were trading for your collection and felt good about the trade then sure. However you mentioned appreciation in value. This leads me to believe this is part personal and financial. For that reason I would tell you to not trade and sell enough to buy one.

Matt, can you post a picture of the Ruth that's up for grabs?

Hi Moonlight,

Would rather not throw another's card up there and instead just get the very valuable feedback from you guys on the give up/get balance. Suffice it to say here it has very nice eye appeal (at least to these eyes) but is definitely a 1 POOR card. Accurately graded in other words, no chance of a bump.

By the way how amazing is this board, where instead of just ringing up the handful of friends one has (if any, lol) that collect, one can post here and get so many educated opinions from fellow collectors? The internet can suck in so many ways, but this is definitely a pebble on the good side of the scale.

I believe I saw a GAI 1 or authentic in one of Goodwin's recent auctions and it sold for nearly 10000 with the juice and that card was one of the worst I've seen. That said, I'd make the trade.

While I would make the trade if its a very strong Ruth 1. Otherwise I would sell as has been stated and then wait for the right one, they do pop up a few times a year. I would put the value depending on how it looks from $25,000 to $40,000.

Very true, but I was assuming it was in a BGS 9.5 holder..

That's where I was on it as well, price-wise, factoring in the most recent sales of an SGC 10 example. Hence why 28k-ish didn't strike me immediately as a bad valuation, and from there determining what cards would be worth that amount.

How much cash do you have in the cards you are thinking about trading?

How long have you owned them?

How much have those cards appreciated since you have owned them?

How much do you think they might appreciate in the future? (Define your own terms as far as "future" is concerned).

How much do you think the Ruth will appreciate in the future (if you think it will appreciate at all and again, define your own terms as far as "future" goes).

If you HAD to sell and raise cash fast, which would be easier to get rid of and get the most back in the fastest amount of time, the cards you are thinking about trading or the Ruth?

Right now, you might think you are never going to sell but sometime in the future you (or your heirs) might/are and answering these questions now might help then.

David

If you have been offered a Ruth Rookie in a '2' for $10,000 you should be sealing the deal RIGHT NOW. A '1" w/decent eye appeal is worth a solid $25K to $32K! Last year, SCP sold a '1" w/significant creasing for over $30K.

Ruth
 

Joe T,

I pm'd Adrian before for the so called dealer's name and contact info. I'll buy the Ruth rookie right now in a 2 for $10K. Still haven't received a response.

Tony

I could not pay fast enough at 10K for a 2. Doesn't seem at all possible.

MattyC

Give the guy a call that is what he said to me we will see if that is true or not. I have not given anyone else the info as I keep my word and if in fact the seller has one for that price and you are not willing to buy it please feel free to share the info with others here at your on discretion.

The dealer in question is a very well known one and we spoke about me buying a Ruth rookie and that is the price I was given.

I may be wrong maybe he meant a graded 1 at 10k.

Post # 8

Exactly Matt! There is no way you could buy that card for 10000. And if the Ruth you're going for has nice eye appeal then make that trade right now! You may sell your cards individually and possibly get less than what you hope for. Let the new owner of those cards worry about the sale. MAKE THAT TRADE!

Just spoke to the guy he said he made a mistake that it would cost from 20k to 30k to buy one (one that grades 1). So you guys are right....my mistake!!!:rolleyes: Did not mean to get every bodies hopes up!!!

So if it a nice GRADED 1 then you just may want to make the trade. Is it a raw card then I would not for sure...to many unknown variables!!!

Post # 9

My vote is Yes.

I was going to say give him my number if he's selling a 2 for $10k. You can't even get a full card for $10k anymore.

Blank back or Sporting News backs are not worth 30k. It's the rare backs that reach that level. I would pass.

glchen

That is probably why the guy had said 10k and not 30k for say a PSA 1.

Post # 10

I disagree. The PSA 1 in SCP last year was a severely creased blank back & it went for approx. $31k.

being a collector grade collector...as well as more of a vintage guy...I'd take the ruth...although ruth rc's are at historic highs these days. tough call...but as said...all those cards are pretty easily replaceable.

Absolutely. Also, if a collector is considering the investment angle as well, you can make the assumption that the Ruth rookie has significantly more uptick potential than the those other cards.

X 2
Ruth rookie is a iconic card and will continue to go up in value.

I completely agree. Make the trade. Most of the modern cards you have listed are good but easily replaceable. Only the Ruth rookie has the potential to increase exponentially. I have always thought all of Ruth's cards are severely undervalued. He played in that critical (unfortunate) window when significantly fewer cards were manufactured rendering him grossly under-represented in the industry. It is almost an oddity of the collecting trade that the widely-recognized "greatest player of all time" takes a significant backseat to lesser heralded players with regard to value. Ruth's early cards may (and should) eventually catch up to the other iconic cards in the hobby such as T206 Wagner and Plank.

Pull the trigger.

im actually changing my vote to "make the trade"

If I was actively looking for a Ruth rookie, I'd make that trade pretty easily. The other cards you're giving up can be replaced easily and aren't going to appreciate like the Ruth will.

Some good points made here. I am retracting my vote and going back up on the fence. I suppose it depends on how largely you want to let money affect your decision. The greater long term investment is the Ruth, though you have to decide if you are willing to give up 27 HOFers to get one.

Count me in the negative. Some of the cards he is giving up will increase as well. Jordan is an iconic card that should go up as well, that if he has in a PSA 10, then he is holding onto something special there. I just think he should stand pat.

I would trade.

Make it a Baltimore News Ruth PSA 1 instead and I would say hell yeah. :D

wow very hard call here, do you have a scan of the ruth u can post?

+1

I have another angle for you. Did you discuss a selling price for the Ruth card with him? Since you have so many great cards in that trade list, maybe you can talk him into selling it to you for a 'fair' price. That way you could sell some of your incredibly valuable cards to generate the necessary funds and buy it outright. The end result would be that you'd get the Ruth PLUS you'll hold onto a bunch of your original cards.

Basically we're saying the Ruth is priced at 30k, and these cards would net that in sales. Sure, I could sub out a card from the list and substitute cash. The cards are available to see in my sigline's link, as I have begun to scan my collection; point being many are high end for the grade, take the Koufax's centering for example, so the earlier approximation of 25-28 is just about right when factoring in how a few will do better than VCP avg. Of course there are the PayPal or consignor fees to weigh in as well. Upshot is the list should net around 30k = the Ruth.

MattyC

I have also changed my view make the trade!!! Is it graded by SGC/PSA/BVG? That would factor in a lot for me if it was graded or not....if it was not graded I would pass no matter what...but that is me.

Post #14

Zone, now you see it's not an easy call, lol.

MattyC

No actually it is very very easy if it is a graded copy SGC/PSA/BVG as a 1....simply make the trade if it is raw I say forget it!!! The guy I told you about told me today he has 3 separate orders for one. It will for sure be a expensive card down the road as well....and a very easy sell!!!

My last post for today take care guys!!!:)

Ruth
 

I voted for the Ruth.

I could see where a Dealer might want the portfolio of high grade cards to spread out risk, speculate, wheel and deal.

I have several of the cards in the list sitting around in boxes in vg/e. Brett, Winfield, Henderson, etc.

I do not own a Ruth rookie.

Also, if you ever need to cash out, it seems like it would be easy to unload the Ruth in a few hours. Just my .02

Take care, Zone.

I'm happy to say I have a sound plan of action in place, due in large part to the keen advice of a fellow member here. A relatively short time will tell how it all works out. With any luck (which is not usually my strong suit), I'll have a nice late-May pickup to post in the monthly thread (and a bottle of nice wine will be on the way to the aforementioned board member). If not, all good, the search will continue.

Thanks yet again for all the responses, guys. It helps make for a well-considered decision; in our hobby those tend to be the best kind, as hasty ones never seem to work out so well ;)

Best,

Matt

Good luck Matt. Hope you will be the proud owner of a Rookie Ruth card.

I am having the same debacle now, trading my small nice collection of great cards to get one super nice card. It would leave with one card versus a group of 6 cards. Is it worth it? I am curious to know....

Wich cards you want to let it go and for wich super nice card ?

Trying to get a Magie SGC 10 (but a nice 10), you might agree with me Nelson. I would be giving up quite a few good cards. A tough call or an easy decision?

AT how much do you estimate the value of each of your cards ?
I am familliar with T206 value but not an expert in mantle rookie or m116 card...
For me a nice looking Magie graded 1 have a value arround 6000-7000. Do you have the ebay Magie in your mind ?

no way would I do this trade. I know that Ruth card is a great card but you are sure giving up way to much in my opinion to get it.

Ruth
 

Absolutely I'd do it. All those cards you have although nice cards, are all replaceable and found without too much difficulty. There are about 100 Ruth RC's known. The Ruth will appreciate a good bit more than those will and you can free up safe space. I paid 42.5k for my Ruth SGC 20. If its a nice 1, it's a 25-30k card for sure.

My opinion is you can easily double or triple that amount of Ruths known. It is not a rare card....Maybe "scarce" because of demand, but fairly common otherwise. Included in my estimate are folks that have them and are not in the "new" hobby.

Hi Leon, its Joe T. and while I agree there may be some 150 to 200 Ruth rookie cards in private collections (give or take), the demand you mentioned will continue to exponentially grow far beyond the supply, whatever that number may be. Until the last several years, the true rookie card of baseball's greatest player ever has always been significantly undervalued, and it was only a matter of time before collectors began paying premium prices for the Babe's inaugural major league baseball card. How many examples are truly out there? 150, 200, 300...whatever. It doesn't really matter because thousands of collectors may eventually seek this card as it continues to gather momentum. Supply vs. demand is the ultimate driver of rising price tags and while not rare, there simply aren't enough Ruth rookie cards to satisfy the collecting community. Just my thoughts.

Best Regards,
Joe

The only card I would remove from that list of trades would be the Koufax. All the other cards are pretty much high grade fluff. Basketball and football cards are so replaceable it's not even funny, even in high grade. And unless Michael Jordan unexpectedly dies anytime soon, his cards' values aren't going anywhere. Take away the Koufax and see if he'll still do the deal. That's what I would do.

You never said if it was raw or graded that would help!!

Post # 2

Matty, I probably wouldn't make the deal. I was faced with a similar situation last year and made the trade/sold my cards and have really regretted it. In fact it was one of the dumber things I think I have done. You know me and the type of cards I had, and I have had an incredibly difficult time trying to replace many of them.

With all the being said, I understand why you would be doing the deal, and in fact agree with the others that the Ruth will have greater value over the long haul. I just happen to prefer having more than one card.

GL, Matt

joe t. from nyc is obviously biased here because i KNOW he has 5-6 ruth rookies :cool: bought from before this card exploded the last 2 years.

to me it depends on whether the jordan bgs 9.5 would cross to a psa 10, but i probably still wouldn't do it. you can sell all those cards and just wait a ruth out (maybe even a nice 1.5 or 2). i'll put you in touch with a guy. imo a 1 is 15-20k which i still think is overpriced but that's the current price i guess.

I saw 2 Rookie Ruth at Joe T table at the last boston show... 2 verry nice cards :)

Joe T,

C'mon, brother-- just sell me one. I can gift you the loot today-- unless they are PSA 4s ;)

Hit me on PM and let's do a nice deal!

Best,

Matt

Joe T had a nice SGC AUTH for sale in his case at the shriners last april.

How much was he asking for the one graded authentic...does anyone know?

Joe do you still have it for sale could you share a picture of the front and back here?

I am also going to be in the market for one in a little while (next few months or sooner). Of course MattyC asked 1st so I will respect if he makes the buy before I do...not here to cause trouble with other members...I believe in 1st come 1st served and he was ahead of me.

Post # 8

You just answered your question. The value of the stuff you listed is tied up in the plastic numbers. I guarantee if that is how you feel you will be just as happy with presentable midgrade cards as with the high number plastics. I have been downgrading for a few years that way and I am pleased as punch with the breadth of cards I can now afford to have in lieu of a high grade plastic entombed card or two. There's a ton of affordable Topps midgrade out there.

As long as the Ruth has great eye appeal, pull the trigger!